Conceptual Space Vehicle Architecture for Human Exploration of Mars, with Artificial Gravity and Mini-Magnetosphere Crew Radiation Shield

Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual Mars Exploration Vehicle (MEV) architecture, which includes a Mars Crew Transfer Vehicle (MCTV) with a crew of four, and two unmanned Mars Lander Transfer Vehicles (MLTVs). The MCTV and MLTVs are assembled in low Earth orbit (LEO) from modules launched by six Space Launch System (SLS) rockets. The MCTV and MLTVs individually escape from LEO, transit to Mars, brake into Mars orbit using propulsion (MCTV and MLTVs) and aerobraking (MLTVs only). The MLTVs deliver landers to the MCTV in low Mars orbit (LMO). Each MLTV includes an EarthDeparture stage (EDS), Mars Transfer Stage (MTS), MEV Service Module (MSM), and two landers: A Mars Personnel Lander (MPL) provides two-way transport of the four crewmembers between LMO and the surface. Three unmanned Mars Cargo Landers (MCLs) provide oneway cargo transportation and the functionalities of habitat and rover. The four landers are assembled on the surface to form a base. The MCTV includes three EDS, two MTS, and the following: (1) The Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) transports the crew from Earth to LEO, provides propulsion, and returns the crew to Earth after completion of a nominal mission or in aborts. (2) Three Deep Space Vehicles (DSVs) provide life support consumables, passive biological radiation shielding, crew habitation space, and propulsion. The DSVs are modified MCL habitat landers. (3) An Artificial Gravity Module (AGM) allows the MCTV to rotate and generate artificial gravity for the crew and provides photovoltaic power generation and deep space communications. A miniature magnetosphere (Mini-Mag), a potential key enabler for human interplanetary exploration, is electromagnetically generated on the AGM and provides active crew biological radiation shielding. The MEV architecture incorporates significant modularity and could provide an economical approach to achieve progressively more ambitious "stepping stone" missions along a "flexible path" for human exploration of the solar system: starting with test flights in Earth and lunar orbit and progressing through missions to near-Earth asteroids and the moons of Mars, and culminating in the Mars landing mission. Nomenclature AGM = Artificial Gravity Module MCTV = Mars Crew Transfer Vehicle BAS = BRV Adaptor Structure (DSV2 to BRV1) MLA = MTS Launch Adaptor BRV = Booster Refueling Vehicle MLTV = Mars Lander Transfer Vehicle DSV = Deep Space Vehicle (DSV1, 2, 3) MOLA = Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter EAS = EDS Adaptor Structure (EDS1,5-DSV2,3) MPCV = Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle EDA = EDS Docking Assembly (EDS1, 5 Fwd.) MPL = Mars Personnel Lander EDS = Earth Departure Stage (EDS1, 2, 3, 4, 5) MRA =

An exploration of the effectiveness of artificial mini-magnetospheres as a potential solar storm shelter for long term human space missions

“…This photograph is taken from above looking through the sheath onto the south pole. The graphic below shows the various zones whose characteristics are discussed within the paper and their relationship to a conceptual spacecraft [21]. Importantly in the laboratory experiment the overall dimensions are of the order, or less than, the ion skin depth c/ω pi which will be essential to be of practical size.…”

“…A conceptual deep space vehicle for human exploration described in [21] included a mini-magnetosphere radiation shield. The purpose was to present a candidate vehicle concept to accomplish a potential manned near-Earth object asteroid exploration mission.…”

“…The purpose was to present a candidate vehicle concept to accomplish a potential manned near-Earth object asteroid exploration mission. The power (including cyroplant), physical dimensions and magnetic field intensities and density augmentation capabilities used here will be those presented in [21,48].…”

A Conceptual Mars Exploration Vehicle Architecture with Chemical Propulsion, Near-Term Technology, and High Modularity to Enable Near-Term Human Missions to Mars

“…HE conceptual Mars Exploration Vehicle (MEV) architecture was first presented in January, 2012 1 . Subsequent design iterations were presented later in 2012 2,3 and in 2014. 4 This MEV architecture study presents a possible method to accomplish a long-stay conjunction class Mars Surface Exploration (MSE) mission, for the low energy 2033 or 2035 opportunities, with a four-person crew, chemical propulsion, existing or near-term technology, and common modular elements to minimize development costs.…”

“…The design iteration in this paper presents major architectural enhancements to (1) reduce the number and complexity of architectural elements to enhance reliability and improve standardization, (2) simplify Low Earth Orbit (LEO) assembly and Trans-Mars Injection (TMI) mission phases, and (3) presents additional design details for the Mars Cargo Lander, Rover Variant (MCL-R). Earlier architectures 1,2,3,5 incorporated an active crew biological radiation shield (the Mini-Magnetosphere 6 , or "Mini-Mag"), a potential key enabler for human interplanetary exploration. It has the potential to protect the crew from hazardous interplanetary radiation in a more mass-efficient way than using passive shielding materials alone.…”