www.nasa.govwww.nasa.gov

Human Exploration of Mars

Design Reference Architecture 5.0

July 29, 2009

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Na tiona l Ae ronautic s a nd

Spa c e Adm inis tra tion

Report of the 90-Day Study on Human Exploration of the Moon and Mars

November 1989

Mars Design Reference Mission Evolution and Purpose

Exploration mission planners maintain “Reference Mission” or “Reference Architecture”

Represents current “best” strategy for human missions

1988-89: NASA “Case Studies”

1990: “90-Day” Study

1991: “Synthesis Group”

1992-93: NASA Mars DRM v1.0

1998: NASA Mars DRM v3.0

1998-2001: Associated v3.0 Analyses

2007 Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0

2002-2004: DPT/NExT

JSC-63724

Exploration BlueprintData Book

Bret G. DrakeEditor

National Aeronautics andSpace Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space CenterHouston, Texas 77058

Released February 2007

JSC-63725

NASA’s Decadal Planning TeamMars Mission Analysis Summary

Bret G. DrakeEditor

National Aeronautics andSpace Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space CenterHouston, Texas 77058

Released February 2007

National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

The Mars DRA is not a formal plan, but provides a vision and context to tie current systems and technology developments to potential future missions

Also serves as benchmark against which alternative architectures can be measured

Constantly updated as we learn

Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0Forward Deployment Strategy

Twenty-six months prior to crew departure from Earth, pre-deploy:• Mars surface habitat lander to Mars orbit• Mars ascent vehicle and exploration gear to

Martian surface• Deployment of initial surface exploration

assets• Production of ascent propellant (oxygen) prior

to crew departure from Earth

Crew travel to Mars on “fast” (six month) trajectory• Reduces risks associated with zero-g,

radiation• Rendezvous with surface habitat lander in

Mars orbit• Crew lands in surface habitat which becomes

part of Mars infrastructure• Sufficient habitation and exploration resources

for 18 month stay

33National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Chemical / Aerocapture Cargo Vehicle Configuration

Common TMI Module (3)

MOI/TEI Module for TEI (1)

Chemical Crew Vehicle Elements

DRA 5.0 Transportation OptionsNTR & Chemical/Aerocapture

TransHab Module, Orion CEV/SM

PayloadMOI/TEI Module for MOI (1)

Common TMI Module (2)

MOI/TEI Module for TEI (1)

Common “Core”Propulsion Stage

AC / EDL Aeroshell(10 m D x 30 m L)

with Interior Payload

NTR Cargo Vehicle Elements

NTR Crew Vehicle Elements

PVAs

Saddle Truss & LH2 Drop Tank

Common “Core”Propulsion Stage

Short Saddle Truss, 2nd Docking Port, and

Jettisonable Food Container

44National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Crew and Cargo Transportation to LEO

Crew Delivery to LEO• Provide safe delivery of crew to

Earth orbit for rendezvous with the Mars Transfer Vehicle

End of Mission Crew Return • Provide safe return of crew from

the Mars-Earth transfer trajectory to Earth at the end of the mission

55National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Heavy-lift Cargo to Low-Earth Orbit

• 130+ t per launch• Large volume• 30 day launch centers

Total Mass in Low-Earth Orbit• ~ 800 t for NTR (7-9 launches)• ~1,200 t for Chemical (9-12 launches)

ARES I / ORION ARES V

Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0Surface Exploration and Discovery

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Long surface stays with visits to multiple sites provides scientific diversity thus maximizing science return

Mobility at great distances (100’s km) from the landing site enhances science return (diversity)

Subsurface access of 100’s m or more highly desired

Advanced laboratory and sample assessment capabilities necessary for high-grading samples for return

National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

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Human Exploration of MarsKey Challenges

Landing large payloads on the surface of Mars

Launch of large mass, large volumes to Earth orbit

Support of humans in space for extended durations including radiation protection and low-g countermeasures

Lack of resupply and early-return aborts

Maintenance and storage of cryogenic fluids for long periods

Production of consumables at Mars (ISRU)

Extended mobility of 100’s km

System reliability, system reliability, system, reliability

Human Exploration of MarsEvolutionary Strategy

Earth/ISS Moon Mars via RoboticsKnowledge / Experience / Confidence

Zero-gravity countermeasures

Gravity sensitive physics

Long duration system performance

Simulation of operational and mission concepts

88National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Demonstration and use of Mars prototype systems

Large-scale systems-of-systems validation

Surface exploration scenarios and techniques

Long-term exposure of systems to the deep-space environment including radiation and dust

Long-term “dry run” rehearsals

Gathering environmental data of Mars

Demonstration of large-scale EDL

Advanced technology demonstrations

Site certification