MinMars/Follow-on Projects

For the following technologies / systems, further in-depth analysis and prototype development / test could deliver significant benefit:

Mars aerocapture and/ or EDL

• Comprehensive search for available aerodynamic data

• More detailed trajectory and aerodynamic modeling, including entry GN&C

• Analysis of aeroshell structural design and internal layout

• Setup of a forum for people involved in research in this area

Mars surface water production

• Characterization of the available resource base as a function of latitude, longitude, depth, and chemical characteristics

• Review of literature and state of the art on technologies for accessing Mars water resources and producing water from them

• Possibly develop breadboard prototypes for test of processes and technologies

Mars surface power generation and energy storage

• Integrated system design including energy storage and deployment of solar arrays

• Test of breadboard prototype in relevant environment to demonstrate feasibility (including deploment)

Mars surface food production

• Review of the state of the art of in-space food production systems and applicability to Mars surface

• Development of concepts for systems with partial and near-full food loop closure (also in context of growing population)

• Trade analysis of food production and re-supply system concepts (including estimation of breakeven times for investment)

Mars surface spare parts production

• More detailed modeling of spare part needs for ground systems

• Development of concepts for in-situ spare parts production (including select materials from Earth as input) with particular focus on plastics

• Test of relevant breadboard prototypes (e.g., plastics extrusion systems, plastics synthesis from base ISRU products)

Mars surface EVA suit concepts

• Review of literature on Mars surface EVA systems concepts and technology

• Development of concepts for EVA life support enabling efficient high-frequency EVAs (e.g., cooling systems with low consumable requirements)

• Test of breadboard prototypes in relevant environments

Financial analysis

• Develop more detailed understanding of development, unit, and transportation costs involved in emplacing initial toehold infrastructure on Mars, sustaining toehold over time, and growing toehold into colony

• Sensitivity analyses for toehold emplacement, support, and growth through net-present-cost modeling