Closed Brayton energy conversion system of the solar or nuclear power for manned Martian mission electric thrusters power source

Proceeding from a modern state of technology development, one can make a conclusion that electric thrusters (ET) will be used in a near term manned Martian spacecraft. The closed Brayton energy conversion system (CBECS), having very high efficiency in MWe level of electrical power, is the most preferable for the electric thrusters power supply, as it can be used both in nuclear power systems (PS), and in ecologically pure, solar PS. Accumulated technical work already done in a space, transport and stationary closed Brayton PS, and also wide experience of the open gas turbine exploitation available in Russia, has been used in the Mars exploration program. For a one year manned Martian mission, a comparison between a nuclear and solar three-modular PS with CBECS with a total electrical power of 15 MWe is carried out. The each 5 MWe CBECS of these PS is designed on high-recuperative scheme with intermediate cooling between compressors.