Imaginable technologies for human missions to Mars

The fundamental metrics for manned missions to Mars are cost and safety. Overall, mission cost and performance margins must be sufficient to ensure adequate safety margins. The major crew safety issues include reduced gravity, radiation, potentially toxic Martian dust, and sufficient reliability for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aerospace America 2007-06, Vol.45 (6), p.24
Main Author: Bushnell, Dennis M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cost control
Innovations
Mars
Product development
R&D
Research & development
Safety
Space exploration
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The fundamental metrics for manned missions to Mars are cost and safety. Overall, mission cost and performance margins must be sufficient to ensure adequate safety margins. The major crew safety issues include reduced gravity, radiation, potentially toxic Martian dust, and sufficient reliability for years-long missions. Current estimates indicate that, using available technology, what is affordable may not be safe and what is safe may not be affordable. Achieving both simultaneously will require advanced to revolutionary technologies.
ISSN:0740-722X