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Mars manned transportation vehicleA viable power system technology for a surface transportation vehicle to explore the planet Mars is presented. A number of power traction systems were investigated, and it was found that a regenerative hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell appears to be attractive for a manned Mars rover application. Mission requirements were obtained from the Manned Mars Mission Working Group. Power systems weights, power, and reactants requirements were determined as a function of vehicle weights for vehicles weighing from 6,000 to 16,000 lb (2,722 to 7,257 kg), (Earth weight). The vehicle performance requirements were: velocity, 10 km/hr; range, 100 km; slope climbing capability, 30 deg uphill for 50 km; mission duration, 5 days; and crew, 5. Power requirements for the operation of scientific equipment and support system capabilities were also specified and included in this study. The concept developed here would also be applicable to a Lunar based vehicle for Lunar exploration. The reduced gravity on the Lunar surface, (over that on the Martian surface), would result in an increased range or capability over that of the Mars vehicle since many of the power and energy requirements for the vehicle are gravity dependent.
Document ID
19890011174
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Perez-Davis, Marla E.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Faymon, Karl A.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1987
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-101487
NAS 1.15:101487
E-4627
Meeting Information
Meeting: Case for Mars III
Location: Boulder, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: July 18, 1987
End Date: July 22, 1987
Sponsors: NASA, Marshall Space Flight Ctr., Jet Propulsion Lab., NASA, Ames Res. Ctr., NASA, Johnson Space Ctr, American Astronautical Society, The Planetary Society
Accession Number
89N20545
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 506-49-21
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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