Mars Sample Return Mission: Mars Ascent Vehicle Propulsion Design

The aim of this research is to analyze a potential Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission through the study of an optimized design of the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) propulsion system. The main goal of the MSR mission is to return to Earth samples of rocks and dust collected by a rover operating on the surface of Mars, and conveyed to the MAV into an Orbit Sample (OS) canister. The MAV must accomplish an initial ascent phase from the Mars surface to a circular Low Mars Orbit (LMO) with a radius of 500 Km and 30° inclination, and then with its second stage it must circularize into the target LMO where it releases the OS payload. A combination of the MAV and a second vehicle, the Mars Earth Return Vehicle (MERV) orbiter, is required to fulfill the final return phase from Mars to the Earth. After completing three different phases of rendezvous operations, with a final Hohmann Transfer the MERV is able to bring the OS to Earth with its payload. A spreadsheet model enables the evaluation of two different MAV architecture: a two-stage solid rocket, and a two-stage hybrid rocket. The study is based on the main rocket science equations, including the Tsiolkovsky Rocket Equation that calculates the change in velocity ΔV for the two stages of the MAV and the amount of propellant needed for both stages. From the analysis it can be noted that the two-stage hybrid design has significant advantages, firstly in terms of Gross Lift Off Mass GLOM (270 Kg) when compared to the solid solution (355 Kg). The hybrid rocket also has lower mass by up to 60 Kg since it does not require a thermal igloo. Finally, the mass fractions for both stages are comparable, and the required ΔV for the hybrid stages are less than those needed for the solid, allowing considerable fuel savings. The hybrid solution is ultimately preferred, considering the best performance related to the thermal fuel properties enabling the MAV to safely operated in the harsh Martian environment.