Elon Musk's plan to go to Mars (Article)

http://lunar.xprize.org/news/blog/we...acex-test-mars

http://lunar.xprize.org/news/blog/weekly-space-news-spacex-test-mars

The big unanswered question, for me, is how to get the rocket up off Mars again? Leaving the Moon to return to Earth was doable in 1969 because of the low Lunar gravity. While Mars' gravity is not as high as Earth's, it is a lot bigger than the gravitational pull of the Moon is.

On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 1:26:32 PM UTC-5, David E. Powell wrote:
http://lunar.xprize.org/news/blog/we...acex-test-mars

http://lunar.xprize.org/news/blog/weekly-space-news-spacex-test-mars

The big unanswered question, for me, is how to get the rocket up off Mars again? Leaving the Moon to return to Earth was doable in 1969 because of the low Lunar gravity. While Mars' gravity is not as high as Earth's, it is a lot bigger than the gravitational pull of the Moon is.

elon is sending a proof of concept lander return capsule . the idea is to use a rover to collect some mars samples, the rover will put them in the earth return capsule, and they will come back

In article ,
says...

On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 1:26:32 PM UTC-5, David E. Powell wrote:
http://lunar.xprize.org/news/blog/we...acex-test-mars

http://lunar.xprize.org/news/blog/weekly-space-news-spacex-test-mars

The big unanswered question, for me, is how to get the rocket up off Mars again? Leaving the Moon to return to Earth was doable in 1969 because of the low Lunar gravity. While Mars' gravity is not as high as Earth's, it is a lot bigger than the gravitational pull of the Moon is.

elon is sending a proof of concept lander return capsule . the idea is to use a rover to collect some mars samples, the rover will put them in the earth return capsule, and they will come back

This is something proposed, but not for the first Red Dragon mission.
The first Red Dragon will just land and might have some rudimentary
science package inside. It's a proof of concept for landing on Mars
using only retro-propulsion. No sample return on that mission.

Jeff
--
All opinions posted by me on Usenet News are mine, and mine alone.
These posts do not reflect the opinions of my family, friends,
employer, or any organization that I am a member of.

On Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 2:26:32 AM UTC+8, David E. Powell wrote:
http://lunar.xprize.org/news/blog/we...acex-test-mars

http://lunar.xprize.org/news/blog/weekly-space-news-spacex-test-mars

The big unanswered question, for me, is how to get the rocket up off Mars again? Leaving the Moon to return to Earth was doable in 1969 because of the low Lunar gravity. While Mars' gravity is not as high as Earth's, it is a lot bigger than the gravitational pull of the Moon is.

Presumably it will require several trips to send the life-support and
return rocket. Then if all the bits land safely on Mars, you can send
a few humans up.

In article ,
says...

On Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 2:26:32 AM UTC+8, David E. Powell wrote:
http://lunar.xprize.org/news/blog/we...acex-test-mars

http://lunar.xprize.org/news/blog/weekly-space-news-spacex-test-mars

The big unanswered question, for me, is how to get the rocket up off Mars again? Leaving the Moon to return to Earth was doable in 1969 because of the low Lunar gravity. While Mars' gravity is not as high as Earth's, it is a lot bigger than the gravitational pull of the Moon is.

Presumably it will require several trips to send the life-support and
return rocket. Then if all the bits land safely on Mars, you can send
a few humans up.

In Musk's plan, the vehicle to get you there is the return vehicle.
What you need to send first is the propellant factory and power plant
which turns CO2 from the atmosphere and H2 brought from earth into LOX
and liquid methane. The LOX and liquid methane refuel the ship for the
return to earth.

Later missions could use locally found water instead of bringing H2 from
earth. But early missions likely won't want to depend on finding water.

Jeff
--
All opinions posted by me on Usenet News are mine, and mine alone.
These posts do not reflect the opinions of my family, friends,
employer, or any organization that I am a member of.