Powdered Magnesium - Carbon Dioxide Combustion for Mars Propulsion

Metal-CO2 Propulsion for Mars Missions: Current Status and Opportunities

“…1). Analysis for "Martian CO 2 -Earth-borne metal fuel" demonstrated that, in a Mars sample return mission, the proposed rocket propulsion system is advantageous when used as the first stage of vehicle for ascent to low Mars orbit [97]. Significant benefits of metal=CO 2 propulsion are expected in missions with visiting several sites on Mars (e.g., ballistic hopper, multisample return), when the oxidizer (liquid CO 2 ) is taken from the atmosphere before each hop [21,87,102].…”

“…Available experience in development of engines and reactors using powdered metal fuel [91][92][93][94][95][96][97] can be effectively applied to the metal-CO 2 propulsion system. This experience includes pneumatic feed systems for metal powders based on fluidization techniques.…”

Mars Hopper Vehicle Configuration Design Sensitivity Analysis

“…Several propellant production techniques and compatible propulsion devices have been proposed for ballistic Mars hopper vehicles [9][10][11][12]. One is to produce CO and O 2 through electrolysis of Martian CO 2 for use as a liquid bipropellant in rocket engines, but the electrolyzers are fragile and require high operating temperatures.…”

Preliminary design analysis of a hopper vehicle for Mars mission

“…A ballistic hopper vehicle was proposed as the most applicable alternative mobility concept for unmanned exploration of the Martian surface [6,[8][9][10][11][12]. The ballistic Mars hopper explores the Martian surface under rocket power and can repeatedly take off and land, carrying a suite of scientific instruments over a range of hundreds of metres to several kilometres per hop; the ballistic Mars hopper will allow long-distance Martian explorations to involve both extensive and intensive scientific capabilities.…”

“…The ballistic Mars hopper explores the Martian surface under rocket power and can repeatedly take off and land, carrying a suite of scientific instruments over a range of hundreds of metres to several kilometres per hop; the ballistic Mars hopper will allow long-distance Martian explorations to involve both extensive and intensive scientific capabilities. The potential propulsion systems for a hopper vehicle have been analysed, a sketch of the hopper vehicle for Mars missions has been presented, and the Mars hopper vehicle might be further developed using the near-term technologies [8][9][10][11]. Furthermore, the feasibility of using a hopper vehicle instead of a rover for Mars exploration has been analysed, the results of the analyses show the possibility of fulfilling the exploration programme typically designed for a rover, and a possible hopper for Mars missions has been given by the initial design analysis [12].…”