MadSci Network: Engineering
Query:

Re: How long would it take for a space shuttle to take a trip to mars?

Date: Mon Mar 6 17:12:28 2000
Posted By: Michael McDonald, Staff, V.P./Exe. Director NanoComputer Dream Team, NanoComputer Dream Team
Area of science: Engineering
ID: 949930747.Eg
Message:

Hi Hiram,
First, please excuse the long delay in answering your question.

Now to get on with your answer. There are Three possible mission profiles 
that have been evaluated:

The Short Stay Mission-often referred to as an opposition-class mission, 
provides Mars stay times of 30 to 90 days with a round trip total time of 
400 to 650 days. This mission class requires a large amount of energy to be 
expended in transit, even after taking advantage of either a Venus swingby 
(on either the inbound or outbound leg) or a deep space propulsive maneuver 
in order to limit Mars and Earth entry speeds.

The Long-Stay Mission-(minimum energy)-usually referred to as a conjunction 
class mission, provides Mars stay times up to 500 days with a round trip 
total time of about 900 days. The energy requirments for this mission are 
the lowest of the three profiles.

The Long-Stay Mission(fast transit)-provides long surface stay times. With 
increases in propulsive energy, the travel times to and from Mars can be 
reduced by up to 100 days each way resulting in an increase of surface stay 
time of 600 days.


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