MinMars/Surface Mobility
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Repository of Working Models
NONE
Baseline Surface Mobility Capabilities
- Unpressurized
- 2 independent unpressurized rovers on traverse, each can carry the entire crew back to base in contingency
- Exploration radius is limited by contingency constraints and EVA time
- Due to 2 independent vehicles on traverse drive-back constraint applies
- This is different from the walk-back constraint for Apollo traverses which had only a single vehicle – the LRV
- 20 – 25 km ideal exploration radius from base can be achieved for 6 – 8 hour excursion
- Pressurized
- 2 independent pressurized vehicles on traverse, each can carry the entire crew back to base in contingency
- Either the camper concept or a pressurized rover can be used (we think there are advantages to the camper concept)
- Exploration radius is limited by consumables and energy storage mass rather than contingency constraints
- For the analysis presented here we assumed 2 pressurized rovers with a total mass of 5700 kg (nominal 2 crew)
Baseline Surface Exploration Capabilities
Extension of Pressurized Mobility Radius
- Self-propelled trailer
- 5700 kg trailer, 1000 kg chassis + drive train and 4700 kg energy storage mass
- Trailer is self-propelled
- Analysis shows parasitic drag results in higher mass than propelled trailer
- Trailer is delivered to base as with logistics excess capability
- “Mars gas station”
- Self-propelled chassis with energy storage and solar power generation is pre-positioned
- Crew visits station with pressurized rovers and swaps energy storage (“pit stop”)
- Can theoretically be extended indefinitely
