Ground operations considerations for design of human missions to Mars

A study was conducted to determine the initial launch site requirements necessary to support a human mission to Mars. The Design Reference Mission 3.0 (DRM 3.0)/sup [1]/ was used to provide a baseline mission architecture. In addition, two launch vehicle configurations were evaluated; a partially reusable launch vehicle and a completely reusable two stage to orbit concept. The study concluded that the current mission architecture requiring launches every 30 days can be optimized in order to realize significant cost reductions for facility infrastructure at the launch site. Launch site considerations and mission architecture changes were identified that will reduce the infrastructure costs associated with launch site processing as well as reduce and simplify ground checkout.