Earth-Mars unmanned transportation systems
Abstract
This paper discusses the launch vehicle options for the launch to Mars unmanned precursors. More emphasis is put on the possibility of using China's Long March rockets to make up the earth-Mars unmanned transportation systems. China's Long March 2E rocket now has reached the payload capability of 8.8 tons to LEO. Using existing liquid rocket stages, China has the ability to build up a launch vehicle which could send 20 tons to LEO. The results of recent studies, including performance, trajectory parameters, and preliminary cost estimation are presented. This paper also discusses the concepts of individual Long March stages combined with rocket stages from other nations to build up an international manned Mars mission launch system.
- Publication:
-
Dresden International Astronautical Federation Congress
- Pub Date:
- October 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990dres.iafcT....C
- Keywords:
-
- Earth-Mars Trajectories;
- Launch Vehicles;
- Space Transportation System;
- Unmanned Spacecraft;
- Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines;
- Rocket Launching;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles