BY: Shallom Abla Lumor

NASA’s Mars Transportation Assessment Study Report has been released, revealing exciting advancements in human space travel.

The study, conducted by the Mars Assessment Study (MTAS) team, led by Dr. Ave Klutse aimed to determine the feasibility of transportation systems for a 2-year mission to Mars in the 2030s while minimizing risks and development requirements.

The report provided a detailed analysis of two propulsion technologies: Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) and Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) combined with Chemical Combustion Propulsion (CCP). By evaluating these technologies based on the mission architecture, the study determined their suitability and performance for Mars missions.

The findings indicated that the high ∆V (change in velocity) needed for fast Mars missions with short stay times necessitates the use of nuclear propulsion technology. The report highlights the performance differences between the alternatives and emphasizes the advantages of nuclear propulsion in meeting the mission’s objectives.

Both NTP and NEP/CCP system concepts were found to have the potential to fulfill the mission requirements for quick transits to Mars in the late 2030s. These technologies could enable approximately 2-year roundtrip missions and support NASA’s objectives for human exploration of Mars.

The release of this study report marks a significant step forward in human space exploration and provides valuable insights for future mission architectures and capabilities. It brings us closer to the possibility of sending humans to Mars within the next two decades.

Click here to download full report