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?
Quote from: aero on 08/06/2018 10:39 pmA 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.
Quote from: speedevil on 08/06/2018 11:23 pmQuote from: aero on 08/06/2018 10:39 pmA 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.