My gut tells me that, even if this is a SpaceX-originated mission concept, it could just as easily fly on a different launcher and in a radically different spaceframe. Only if SpaceX gets the contract will we see it fly in a 'Red Dragon' modified Dragon EDLV.
is there any new information on how they plan to decelerate the red dragon? Some chutes, or pure rocket engines?I realised that conceptual drawings show payload to be placed above the engines section. But standard Dragon has significant part of its pressure vessel in central part of engines section (engines and tanks are around the pressure vessel). So there is some free space, which could bi fitted by additional fuel tanks, so the overall dV would be much higher. Maybe high enough to decelerate from supersonic speed to zero.
Why not using areobreaking, going into a circular orbit and then to ground. Should save a lot of fuel.
Wasn't a problem of aerocapture that they could only land near the equator. But the article said about going to the poles. Wouldn't that mean using the SuperDracos?
Quote from: baldusi on 11/08/2011 08:22 pmWasn't a problem of aerocapture that they could only land near the equator. But the article said about going to the poles. Wouldn't that mean using the SuperDracos?I'm afraid you're not making much sense here. What has aerocapture got to do with landing? The equatorial constraints are mostly solar power and thermal.