Biking on MarsCycleHack Lisbon 17

Story of Idea

Mars ConstraintsEarth Mars

Surface gravity 9.807 m/s2 (1 g) 0.376 g

Surface Pressure 101.325 kPa1 atm

0.636 kPa0.00628 atm

Composition by volume78.08% nitrogen20.95% oxygen0.930% argon

95.97% carbon dioxide1.93% argon

1.89% nitrogen

Atmosphere density 1.2 Kg/ m3 0.020Kg/m3

Rationale for biking on Mars

1. Effectiveness of biking (x10 less power than on Earth)

2. 10x wider radius (100x area) on bike than walking

3. More mission flexibility than just 1 rover (e-truck);

4. New Mars Space suit (MIT approach)

Effectiveness of biking • In terms of the amount of energy a person must expend to travel a given

distance, cycling is calculated to be the most efficient self-powered means of transportation. Total Cycling Power is up to x10 lower on Mars.

• Total Power=P{Air Drag}+P{Rolling}+P{Slope}+P{Acceleration})/ Mechanical_efficiency_drive_train.

Earth Mars

P (Air Drag) 125 5

P (Rolling Resistance) 25 8.5

P (Slope) 25 8.5

P (Acceleration) 0 0

Total Power (W) 175 22

Increase up x100 Effective Exploration Area

• Green > walking exploration area (5km radius)

• Yellow > walking exploration area (5km radius)

• x10 wider radius (x100 area) on bike >> walking

New Space Suit

MIT Elastic ModelZ2 Pressurised Model

5 Req. for Mars Bike

1. Needs to carry science pack (w/ support frame).

2. Power charging and navigational aids.

3. Extra oxygen supply on bike.

4. Bike can carry 2 astronauts if needed.

5. 10.000€ Budget for functional prototype.

Earth-special cases

• Antarctica

• Desert

• Extreme Mountain

Design Dilemmas1. E-bike vs Human powered

2. Trike vs Bicycle

3. Tubeless vs Airless tires.

4. Full suspension vs no-suspension

5. Single Speed vs Multi-speed

6. Shaft vs Chain transmission.

7. Foldable vs Non-foldable.

8. Ship spare parts vs 3D print parts en route/ on site.

9. Steel frame vs ballast system (Carbon / 3D print parts).

10. Science Pack & Buddy astronaut

1. E-bike vs H-bike

2. Trike vs Byke

3. Tubeless vs Airless

4. Full-suspension (coil)?

5. Single vs Multi-speed

6. Shaft vs Chain drive

7. Foldable vs Non-foldable

8. Take Spare Parts vs 3D printing on site.

9. Carbon frame (1,5Kg) w/ ballast system.

10. Science Pack