AN RLV / SHUTTLE COMPATIBLE HABITATION SYSTEM
The non-availability of Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles mandates use of the Shuttle or proposed RLV to transport material for Human Mars exploration to LEO. Current Mars exploration scenarios make use of landers and habitats compatible only with HLLVs. The size of the Habitat elements prevents economical...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.663.5231 http://marspapers.org/papers/MAR98054.pdf |
| Summary: | The non-availability of Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles mandates use of the Shuttle or proposed RLV to transport material for Human Mars exploration to LEO. Current Mars exploration scenarios make use of landers and habitats compatible only with HLLVs. The size of the Habitat elements prevents economical delivery to polar test sites or practical use in other terrestrial extreme environments. A study of technologies was conducted regarding deployment of habitats capable of transport via LC-130H Antarctic logistics aircraft or integration with a robotic lander vehicle with launch to LEO via Shuttle or RLV. The result was a logistics support module capable of functioning as an inflatable deployment system. The module design enables Mars landing and surface transport via a robotic rover and facilitates establishment of a surface base derived from the current Mars reference mission. |
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