Manned Mars Ascent Vehicle-a trade study

While a significant amount of work remains to be conducted in each segment of the MAV addressed by research, it is nonetheless clear that a viable design concept for Mars ascent can be contained within the mission framework outlined by the NASA Design Reference Mission (DRM). The goal of this paper is to increase the level of attention given to the Mars ascent segment of a human Mars mission. Hopefully this work will serve to open the floor to further dialogue on systems to facilitate crew return from the surface of Mars. The exchange of thoughts stimulated by conceptual design work can help to identify the necessary systems and technologies which must be present in the vehicles eventually used to send people to Mars. Identifying these systems and technologies prior to the official formation of a human Mars mission can help to reduce the ultimate development expenditures by resolving fundamental questions before firm design commitments must be made.