Dowd_2003

Copyright © 2003 by Martin Dowd. Published by The Mars Society with permission.

 

SOME MARS TRAJECTORY OPTIMIZATIONS

 

Martin Dowd

MartDowd@aol.com

 

ABSTRACT

 

In an earlier paper an integrated space program was outlined, which includes the capability for manned Mars missions. The time for the manned flight of a “split” mission with aerobraking was estimated at around one year. Here some trajectory optimizations are given which demonstrate that lower flight times are realistic, with chemical propulsion.

 

Some simulations have been done which provide encouragement that the suggestions for a manned Mars program within an integrated space program, made in [Do02], are reasonable. Indeed, by using optimum trajectories a short stay mission with a total trip time of 300 days seems possible, and even shorter times can be achieved, but with greater cost and reduced safety.