Mars ascent propulsion on a minimum scale

A concept is presented for a single stage vehicle intended to lift a Mars s ample to an orbital rendezvous. At 200 kg liftoff mass, it can potentially be delivered by a Mars Pathfinder size aeroshell. Based on launch vehicle d esign principles, propellants are pumped from thin-walled low pressure tank s into compact high pressure thrusters; Technical risk is reduced by using non-cryogenic propellants,:and by driving piston pumps with heated helium. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.