Project M3 - A study for a manned Mars mission in 2031

Author(s): Michael Taraba, Konstanze Zwintz, C Bombardelli, J Lasue, P Rogler, V Ruelle, J Schlutz, M Schüßler, S O'Sullivan, B Sinzig, M Treffer, A Valavanoglou, M Van Quickelberghe, M Walpole, L Wessels
Abstract: This study deals with a manned mission which focuses on building an orbital station around Mars. The advantages in comparison to direct-landing scenarios are outlined and the necessary technology is described. The orbiting station prohibits contamination of and from the Red Planet and houses six astronauts in a 1100 days journey to Mars providing three pressurized modules: two of them will remain in a Low Mars Orbit for further human missions while the third module is used as an Earth Return Vehicle. A Bimodal Nuclear Thermal Propulsion System is used also for electrical power production. An advanced Environment Control and Life Support System, the necessary radiation shielding, human factors and crew selection criteria have been studied. The described partly reusable Mars Landing Module allows highest possible flexibility in the choice of landing scenario. The overall mission budgets in the fields of mass, power and costs have been estimated. Œ 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Organisation(s): Department of Astrophysics
External organisation(s): University of Padova, Université Paris VI - Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, Universität Stuttgart, Université de Liège, University College Dublin, Universität Bern, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW), University of Dublin, Helmholtz-Zentrum München - Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt
Journal: Acta Astronautica
Volume: 58
Pages: 88-104
No. of pages: 17
ISSN: 0094-5765
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2005.04.013
Publication date: 2006
Peer reviewed: Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012: 103003 Astronomy
Portal url: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/2431ddf4-26d1-4ffd-91f3-87f8bea09ce9

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