When comtemplating the human exploration of Mars, many scenarios using various propulsion systems have been considered. One propulsion option among them is a vehicle stage with multiple, pump fed rocket engines capable of operating on propellants available on Mars. This reduces the Earth launch mass requirements, resulting in economic and payload benefits. No plentiful sources of hydrogen on Mars have been identified on the surface of Mars, so most commonly used high performance liquid fuels, such as hydrogen and hydrocarbons, can be eliminated as possible in-situ propellants. But 95 pct. of the Martian atmosphere consists of carbon dioxide, which can be converted into carbon monoxide and oxygen. The carbon monoxide oxygen propellant conbination is a candidate for a Martian in-situ propellant rocket engine. The feasibility is analyzed of a pump fed engine cycle using the propellant combination of carbon monoxide and oxygen.
In situ Propellant Rocket Engines for MARS Mission Ascent Vehicle
1991
9 pages
Report
No indication
English
Rocket Engines & Motors , Rocket Propellants , Ascent propulsion systems , Mars atmosphere , Oxygen-hydrocarbon rocket engines , Propulsion system configurations , Propulsion system performance , Carbon dioxide , Carbon monoxide , Fuel pumps , Liquid fuels , Mars surface , Payload mass ratio , Regenerative cooling , Supercritical fluids , Turbine engines