A propulsion oriented study of mission modes for manned mars landing

Results are given of a systems analysis of manned M a r s landing missions for a variety of mission modes, including chemical, nuclear, and electric propulsion, and aerodynamic braking.Consistent ground rules and assumptions were used.T h e baseline mission requires 450 days f o r execution and places 4 men on the surface of M a r s f o r 20 days.Advanced missions are discussed.Each mission was analyzed assuming first Saturn V , and then a large reusable Post-Saturn ve hicle to be available, in o r d e r t o provide a comparison.A cost advantage was found f o r the reusable Post-Saturn f o r all but very minimal planetary programs.Of the available technologies, the graphite nuclear rocket was found generally preferable to other systems f o r mission propulsion.Advanced nuclear propul sion, such as ORION, was found fo have great potential for advanced missions.