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No astronaut has visited Mars yet, however, a new innovative rocket system funded by NASA is set to make this trip possible in a period of 2 months.
The challenge of landing humans on Mars includes the need to quickly move large payloads to and from the planet, which would take about two years for one trip using current propulsion technology.
The Pulsed Plasma Rocket (PPR) aims to revolutionize future deep space missions to Mars. This would potentially reduce travel time to the Red Planet by a few months.
The PPR, being developed by Howe Industries, is a propulsion system designed to be far more efficient than current methods of deep space propulsion. With this, the journey between Earth and Mars can be done in just two months.
Specifically, the rocket will generate up to 100,000 N of thrust with a specific impulse (ISP) of 5,000 seconds.
According to a statement from NASA, this technology could potentially allow astronauts and cargo to travel to Mars more efficiently and faster than current spacecraft.
“The high efficiency of the system allows manned missions to Mars to be completed in just under two months,” the statement said.
PPR enables the transportation of very heavy spacecraft that are equipped with shields against galactic cosmic rays, NASA said, reducing crew exposure to negligible levels. ‘PPR enables an entirely new era in space exploration.’
This innovative rocket project is now moving into Phase 2 of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) study.
In NIAC Phase I, developers focused on the development of a Martian base, a large, heavily shielded ship to carry humans and cargo to Mars. Key topics include: assessing the neutronics of the system, designing the spacecraft, power systems and required subsystems, analyzing magnetic nozzle capabilities, and determining the trajectory and benefits of the PPR.
In it, developers will optimize the engine design for low mass and high ISP, conduct proof-of-concept experiments of key components, and complete a ship design for a shielded manned mission to Mars.
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Published: May 19, 2024, 09:35 PM IST
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