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.
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