Author Topic: Number of return passengers from Mars  (Read 1641 times)

Offline aero

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Number of return passengers from Mars
« on: 08/06/2018 10:39 pm »
A weird thought just occurred.

The easy part first: What is the maximum single BFS passenger load for a return from Mars?

The interesting part: What is the minimum, non zero, passenger load for a return from Mars?

It seems that the maximum passenger load may be limited by critical skills, that is, they couldn't very well let all of the people who just happen to be the ones who make the outpost operate leave before replacements arrive.

The minimum number is limited by the need to keep the passengers from going stir crazy from isolation on the long trip back to Earth. What is that number?
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Offline speedevil

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Re: Number of return passengers from Mars
« Reply #1 on: 08/06/2018 11:23 pm »
A weird thought just occurred.

The easy part first: What is the maximum single BFS passenger load for a return from Mars?

The interesting part: What is the minimum, non zero, passenger load for a return from Mars?

On the second part, one. You pick the right passenger. Not everyone requires interaction.
On the first - as many as you can pack in and keep the mass enough that it can sustain the crew for 6 months. Certainly more than a hundred with good ECLSS.

Offline aero

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Re: Number of return passengers from Mars
« Reply #2 on: 08/07/2018 01:45 am »
A weird thought just occurred.

The easy part first: What is the maximum single BFS passenger load for a return from Mars?

The interesting part: What is the minimum, non zero, passenger load for a return from Mars?

On the second part, one. You pick the right passenger. Not everyone requires interaction.
On the first - as many as you can pack in and keep the mass enough that it can sustain the crew for 6 months. Certainly more than a hundred with good ECLSS.

SpaceX doesn't get to pick the passengers who want to go home, only the ones they will transport and I'm not so sure about that.

Surely not. Take 100 back to Earth and leave 50 on Mars is not logical. Of course, that assumes only one "boat load" of colonists. I think the breadth of special skills must be maintained and limiting the number of return passengers is one solution, though not a very palatable one.
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Offline Hominans Kosmos

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Re: Number of return passengers from Mars
« Reply #3 on: 08/09/2018 10:23 pm »
A weird thought just occurred.

The easy part first: What is the maximum single BFS passenger load for a return from Mars?

The interesting part: What is the minimum, non zero, passenger load for a return from Mars?

On the second part, one. You pick the right passenger. Not everyone requires interaction.
On the first - as many as you can pack in and keep the mass enough that it can sustain the crew for 6 months. Certainly more than a hundred with good ECLSS.

SpaceX doesn't get to pick the passengers who want to go home, only the ones they will transport and I'm not so sure about that.

Surely not. Take 100 back to Earth and leave 50 on Mars is not logical. Of course, that assumes only one "boat load" of colonists. I think the breadth of special skills must be maintained and limiting the number of return passengers is one solution, though not a very palatable one.

It is very logical when you find yourself in need of evacuating for any number of reasons. The maximum is only determined by raw vehicle and cabin performance and orbital mechanics.

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