Total mass in LEO is just under 300 tons, of which 175 tons is cryogenic fuel. The storable fuel is 53 tons, and the payload 72 tons. So four Jupiter 232 launches or about 12 EELV launches, plus an Orion crew module (and another one to collect – or can it stay in orbit for 18 months.{snip}
Any chance of launching this mission whilst Obama is still president, i.e. in the next 7 years?
Quote from: A_M_Swallow on 09/19/2009 11:59 pmAny chance of launching this mission whilst Obama is still president, i.e. in the next 7 years?Not likely for two reasons. The first is to get a political agreement to do it in time isn't likely. The second and bigger reason is that there is no good solution to bone loss as of yet. The demineralization numbers for long duration flight are just plain scary. What good would it do to send a crew where some members just might not survive the return to Earth.
The second and bigger reason is that there is no good solution to bone loss as of yet. The demineralization numbers for long duration flight are just plain scary.
Alex.Do we know anything certain about the resources available on Phobos for ISRU ?Nick.
Quote from: Eric Hedman on 09/20/2009 01:29 amThe second and bigger reason is that there is no good solution to bone loss as of yet. The demineralization numbers for long duration flight are just plain scary.Valeri Polyakov didn't suffer crippling bone loss during his 14 month stint in freefall.Googling Valeri Polyakov I found this page:http://www.naturalhealthway.com/noblerex-k1/noblerex-k1-platinum.htmlAt first glance, the page smells like get rich scammers preying on the very large market of gullible overweight people who want to look great without discomfort, time or effort.But Polyakov did enjoy an unusual and noteworthy success. Have the Russians developed an exercise method that's effective? Wish I knew more about Whole Body Vibration System.
Wish I knew more about Whole Body Vibration System.
...the radiation above the Van Allen belts is too nasty for people to survive long term without truely massive amounts of shielding.
In the next 7 years the best we could hope for would be visit to a NEO, L-2 or lunar orbit.
Quote from: MATTBLAK on 09/20/2009 01:39 amIn the next 7 years the best we could hope for would be visit to a NEO, L-2 or lunar orbit.Phobos round trip is easier than the vast majority of NEO round trips.
Quote from: Hop_David on 08/06/2010 04:41 pmQuote from: MATTBLAK on 09/20/2009 01:39 amIn the next 7 years the best we could hope for would be visit to a NEO, L-2 or lunar orbit.Phobos round trip is easier than the vast majority of NEO round trips.Certainly less delta V for a crewed mission, though not for the SEP missions which can't use aerobraking or Oberth effects. Making repeated trips to an NEO will be very difficult. They're only near a small fraction of the time.
3. ... Establish permanent base on Phobos using large scale inflatables (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=18759.0) This focuses on part 2....• Testing a storm shelter – inflating a 5m balloon under the regolith
...2. Send a centrifuge and lots of other stuff to Phobos and have the crew spend 2 years there.