To get to Callisto requires using two BFS Tankers which then transfer propellant to the BFS after all three boost into a Trans-Jupiter Insertion orbit. The Tankers can then return to Earth after a long loop....Ceres, from Earth orbit, is a real pain. But it'd be pretty simple from Mars. Thus Mars will be the Gateway to Ceres and the Asteroids.
Apparently; Ceres requires a fair plane-change maneuver to reach it that is fuel-intensive, depending on the method of propulsion. Dawn had no worries because of it's high-Isp ion drive. I'm not sure what it's difference to the Earth's solar system ecliptic position is, but I think it's more than 7 degrees, but less than 10.
10.6
I've analysed using this technique to fly to Titan (all on a single tank!) with a reasonable aerobrake entry speed of ~7.7 km/s, to land on the surface. It's the easiest Outer System target to reach, but takes ~3 years, so it's an endurance mission. Launching there in a Parabolic solar orbit takes 2.5 years, but means a re-entry speed of ~10.5 km/s. That *might* be doable with a Magnetoshell braking system.
Quote from: qraal on 10/28/2017 07:17 amTo get to Callisto requires using two BFS Tankers which then transfer propellant to the BFS after all three boost into a Trans-Jupiter Insertion orbit. The Tankers can then return to Earth after a long loop....Ceres, from Earth orbit, is a real pain. But it'd be pretty simple from Mars. Thus Mars will be the Gateway to Ceres and the Asteroids.A pet idea of mine is to use a full BFS Tanker as a departure stage to push the ship on it's way. The trick is that the trajectory could skim past earth, boosting just before closest approach for maximum Oberth effect, and also to allow the now empty tanker to be immediately recaptured at earth.Why is Ceres a real pain from Earth but pretty simple from Mars? (honest layman's question)
What would a viable power source look like for a Titan mission- ASRG?At least the methane ISRU would be easy- it's even subcooled for you already
That is one hell of an idea...If BFS can hold propellant for long durations (Musk mentioned cryo coolers) then you can have all the inherent dV for braking and return.That's very powerful.Quote from: KelvinZero on 10/28/2017 10:39 amQuote from: qraal on 10/28/2017 07:17 amTo get to Callisto requires using two BFS Tankers which then transfer propellant to the BFS after all three boost into a Trans-Jupiter Insertion orbit. The Tankers can then return to Earth after a long loop....Ceres, from Earth orbit, is a real pain. But it'd be pretty simple from Mars. Thus Mars will be the Gateway to Ceres and the Asteroids.A pet idea of mine is to use a full BFS Tanker as a departure stage to push the ship on it's way. The trick is that the trajectory could skim past earth, boosting just before closest approach for maximum Oberth effect, and also to allow the now empty tanker to be immediately recaptured at earth.Why is Ceres a real pain from Earth but pretty simple from Mars? (honest layman's question)
This also connects with BFR and science instruments thread. How much payload can a standard BFS cargo land on Titan? How well does it work for Europa? No aerobraking so I suppose not well.A cheap 50 ton robot Sub for the seas of Titan sounds pretty cool. Perhaps a variety of flying, swimming, crawling robots in the same payload.
I don't think you need to keep any landing fuel around for these tankers, right? They could aerobrake into earth orbit and be refueled before landing. It saves dragging that dead weight all around the solar system.
This also connects with BFR and science instruments thread. How much payload can a standard BFS cargo land on Titan?