Project BAGEL

Conceptual Design and Feasibility Study for a Mars Ascent Vehicle using In-Situ Propellants as Part of the MSR Mission

Bachelor thesis (2024)

Authors

R.S. Ó hAnluain Aerospace Engineering
S.H.A. Balfoort Aerospace Engineering
P. Zanini Aerospace Engineering
D.L. Campbell-Pitt Aerospace Engineering
B. Chen Aerospace Engineering
R. Decuyper Aerospace Engineering
A. Hanrahan Aerospace Engineering
J.S. Piaskowy Aerospace Engineering
J.J. Rodrigo Aerospace Engineering
M. Seres Aerospace Engineering
O.A. Varnagy Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

B.V.S. Jyoti Space Systems Egineering (mentor)
K.P.W. Dissanayake Group Groves - Aerospace Engineering (coach)
T.S.B. Buchanan Aerodynamics - Aerospace Engineering (coach)
Martin Olde TNO (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
More Info
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Published Date

28-06-2024

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

The Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission is a collaboration between NASA and ESA with the aim of retrieving the Martian rock samples gathered by the Perseverance Rover and sending them back to Earth for further study. This report outlines the design of a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) and a Sample Return Lander (SRL) for this mission, with the additional consideration that in-situ resource utilization will be performed. This means that while on Mars, carbon dioxide will be captured, and converted into liquid oxygen and liquid carbon monoxide to be used as propellants. Here one trades off a lower mass of propellant to be brought, with a larger mass of additional systems for propellant generation. This has the potential to bring net mass benefits to the mission, hence justifying a study of its feasibility.