1. Human Exploration of Mars Design Reference Architecture 5
Human Exploration of Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0 July 29, 2009
7727.

2. Mars Design Reference Mission Evolution and Purpose
Exploration mission planners maintain “Reference Mission” or “Reference Architecture”
Represents current “best” strategy for human missions
: NASA “Case Studies”
1990: “90-Day” Study
1991: “Synthesis Group”
: NASA Mars DRM v1.0
1998: NASA Mars DRM v3.0
The Mars DRA is not a formal plan, but provides a vision and context to tie current systems and technology developments to potential future missions
Also serves as benchmark against which alternative architectures can be measured
Constantly updated as we learn
: Associated v3.0 Analyses
JSC-63724
Exploration Blueprint
Data Book
Editor
Bret G. Drake
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
Houston, Texas
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Released February 2007
JSC-63725
Bret G. Drake
Mars Mission Analysis Summary
NASA’s Decadal Planning Team
Editor
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
Houston, Texas
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Released February 2007
: DPT/NExT
2007 Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

3. Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0 Forward Deployment Strategy
Twenty-six months prior to crew departure from Earth, pre-deploy:
Mars surface habitat lander to Mars orbit
Mars ascent vehicle and exploration gear to Martian surface
Deployment of initial surface exploration assets
Production of ascent propellant (oxygen) prior to crew departure from Earth
Crew travel to Mars on “fast” (six month) trajectory
Reduces risks associated with zero-g, radiation
Rendezvous with surface habitat lander in Mars orbit
Crew lands in surface habitat which becomes part of Mars infrastructure
Sufficient habitation and exploration resources for 18 month stay
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

4. DRA 5.0 Transportation Options NTR & Chemical/Aerocapture
NTR Crew Vehicle Elements
Chemical Crew Vehicle Elements
Saddle Truss & LH2 Drop Tank
TransHab Module, Orion CEV/SM
PVAs
MOI/TEI Module for TEI (1)
Common “Core” Propulsion Stage
MOI/TEI Module for TEI (1)
Short Saddle Truss, 2nd Docking Port, and Jettisonable Food Container
Common TMI Module (3)
Chemical / Aerocapture Cargo Vehicle Configuration
NTR Cargo Vehicle Elements
Focus on components:
Payload (Cargo and Crew)
TEI (piloted only) - integrated with payload
TMI (2X)
SPPM
Mission (conjunction class)
3 Vehicles (piloted and 2 cargo)
Assembled in LEO
MOI/TEI Module for MOI (1)
Payload
Common “Core” Propulsion Stage
AC / EDL Aeroshell (10 m D x 30 m L) with Interior Payload
Common TMI Module (2)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

5. Crew and Cargo Transportation to LEO
ARES I / ORION
ARES V
Crew Delivery to LEO
Provide safe delivery of crew to Earth orbit for rendezvous with the Mars Transfer Vehicle
End of Mission Crew Return
Provide safe return of crew from the Mars-Earth transfer trajectory to Earth at the end of the mission
Heavy-lift Cargo to Low-Earth Orbit
130+ t per launch
Large volume
30 day launch centers
Total Mass in Low-Earth Orbit
~ 800 t for NTR (7-9 launches)
~1,200 t for Chemical (9-12 launches)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

6. Mars Design Reference Architecture 5
Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0 Surface Exploration and Discovery
Long surface stays with visits to multiple sites provides scientific diversity thus maximizing science return
Mobility at great distances (100’s km) from the landing site enhances science return (diversity)
Subsurface access of 100’s m or more highly desired
Advanced laboratory and sample assessment capabilities necessary for high-grading samples for return
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

7. Human Exploration of Mars Key Challenges
Landing large payloads on the surface of Mars
Launch of large mass, large volumes to Earth orbit
Support of humans in space for extended durations including radiation protection and low-g countermeasures
Lack of resupply and early-return aborts
Maintenance and storage of cryogenic fluids for long periods
Production of consumables at Mars (ISRU)
Extended mobility of 100’s km
System reliability, system reliability, system, reliability

8. Human Exploration of Mars Evolutionary Strategy
Knowledge / Experience / Confidence
Earth/ISS
Moon
Mars via Robotics
Zero-gravity countermeasures
Gravity sensitive physics
Long duration system performance
Simulation of operational and mission concepts
Demonstration and use of Mars prototype systems
Large-scale systems-of- systems validation
Surface exploration scenarios and techniques
Long-term exposure of systems to the deep-space environment including radiation and dust
Long-term “dry run” rehearsals
Gathering environmental data of Mars
Demonstration of large- scale EDL
Advanced technology demonstrations
Site certification
National Aeronautics and Space Administration