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Vehicle and Mission Design Options for the Human Exploration of Mars/Phobos Using "Bimodal" NTR and LANTR PropulsionThe nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) is one of the leading propulsion options for future human missions to Mars because of its high specific impulse (lsp~850-1000 s) capability and its attractive engine thrust-to-weight ratio (~3-10). To stay within the available mass and payload volume limits of a “Magnum” heavy lift vehicle, a high performance propulsion system is required for trans-Mars injection (TMI). An expendable TMI stage, powered by three 15 thousand pounds force (klbf) NTR engines is currently under consideration by NASA for its Design Reference Mission (DRM). However, because of the miniscule burnup of enriched uranium-235 during the Earth departure phase (~10 grams out of 33 kilograms in each NTR core), disposal of the TMI stage and its engines after a single use is a costly and inefficient use of this high performance stage. By reconfiguring the engines for both propulsive thrust and modest power generation (referred to as “bimodal” operation), a robust, multiple burn, “power-rich” stage with propulsive Mars capture and reuse capability is possible. A family of modular “bimodal” NTR (BNTR) vehicles are described which utilize a common “core” stage powered by three 15 klbf BNTRs that produce 50 kWe of total electrical power for crew life support, an active refrigeration / reliquification system for long term, zero-boiloff liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage, and high data rate communications. An innovative, spine-like “saddle truss” design connects the core stage and payload element and is open underneath to allow supplemental “in-line” propellant tanks and contingency crew consumables to be easily jettisoned to improve vehicle performance. A “modified” DRM using BNTR transfer vehicles requires fewer transportation system elements, reduces IMLEO and mission risk, and simplifies space operations. By taking the next logical step—use of the BNTR for propulsive capture of all payload elements into Mars orbit—the power available in Mars orbit grows to 150 kWe compared to 30 kWe for the DRM. Propulsive capture also eliminates the complex, higher risk aerobraking and capture maneuver which is replaced by a simpler reentry using a standardized, lower mass “aerodescent” shell. The attractiveness of the “all BNTR” option is further increased by the substitution of the lightweight, inflatable “TransHab” module in place of the heavier, hard-shell hab module. Use of TransHab introduces the potential for propulsive recovery and reuse of the BNTR / Earth return vehicle (ERV). It also allows the crew to travel to and from Mars on the same BNTR transfer vehicle thereby cutting the duration of the ERV mission in half—from ~4.7 to 2.5 years. Finally, for difficult Mars options, such as Phobos rendezvous and sample return missions, volume (not mass) constraints limit the performance of the “all LH2” BNTR stage. The use of “LOX-augmented” NTR (LANTR) engines, operating at a modest oxygen-to-hydrogen mixture ratio (MR) of 0.5, helps to increase “bulk” propellant density and total thrust during the TMI burn. On all subsequent burns, the bimodal LANTR engines operate on LH2 only (MR=0) to maximize vehicle performance while staying within the mass limits of two Magnum launches.
Document ID
20030014643
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Stanley K Borowski (Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Leonard A Dudzinski (Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Melissa L McGuire (Analex Fairfax, Virginia, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 2002
Publication Information
Publisher: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion and Power
Report/Patent Number
E-11445-1/REV1
NASA/TM-1998-208834/REV1
NAS 1.15:208834/REV1
AIAA-98-3883
Meeting Information
Meeting: 34th Joint Propulsion Conference
Location: Cleveland, OH
Country: US
Start Date: July 13, 1998
End Date: July 15, 1998
Sponsors: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society For Engineering Education, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Society of Automotive Engineers International
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-27186
PROJECT: RTOP 953-20-0C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Nuclear thermal rocket
NTR
LOX–augmented NTR
LANTR
Bimodal
In-situ resource utilization
High thrust
Nuclear propulsion
Mars
Phobos
Spacecraft

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