Continuing Development of the NASA Human Mars Mission Design

During 1992 – 1994 work was done by personnel representing several NASA field centers to formulate a mission scenario that addresses human exploration of Mars. This scenario describes an approach for the first human missions to Mars, utilizing systems and operations that are technically feasible, have reasonable risks, and have relatively low costs. It was understood that this scenario could be improved through refinement of the analyses initially performed and by introducing new technology as that technology matured. Various analyses and trade studies have been underway at many NASA field centers since work on the initial version of the mission scenario was completed This paper briefly recaps the piloted Mars mission as originally developed to set the stage for a description of some of the work recently completed. Two topics will be highlighted; first, an aerocapture analysis illustrates the refinement of some of the initial analyses for the mission scenario; and second, an alternative technology, low thrust propulsion to perform part of the Earth departure maneuver, that appears to equal, if not improve, the overall performance of the mission architecture.