Design trade space for a Mars ascent vehicle for a Mars sample return mission

The design of an ascent vehicle for Mars sample return is one of the most c hallenging problems to be addressed for this type of mission. This paper id entifies the spectrum of performance requirements that could be required of a Mars ascent vehicle for a sample return mission. With this understanding of performance requirements, an investigation of technology requirements i s presented. These technology requirements are compared to past and existin g technology in order to identify which are the lagging technologies and wh ere development investment should be made. Mars ascent approaches which inc lude storable propellants and in-situ production of propellants are conside red. Several technology comparisons are performed to illustrate performance regions that are appropriate for different technologies. Several promising propulsion technologies are identified: miniature constant displacement pu mps, bladder lined composite tankage, thin wall metal tankage and advanced propellants. Technologies that have been designed, built, tested and flown are emphasized. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.