Author Topic: LIVE: Dennis Tito's Inspiration Mars Foundation Announcement and Reaction Thread (Read 400062 times)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #20 on:** 02/27/2013 05:16 pm »

We're not going to get this done working 8-5. We're going to have to burn the midnight oil.

Signed a SAA with NASA Ames on re-entry. Also looking into life sciences.

Funding is a real challenge. But I am in the financial field and I'm very excited about going out there and raising the money. Don't think it will be a difficult problem.

Speaks a bit like Golden Spike on the revenue streams.

Tito commits for the next two years of funding requirements.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #21 on:** 02/27/2013 05:18 pm »

Can't come up with a number, but the cost will be much, much lower than what you'd expect for a Mars mission. It will be more like a LEO mission. Media rights will be phenomenal. Talks about Dr Phil (?).

Did mention existing vehicles without naming them....but noted they don't need another Saturn V.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #22 on:** 02/27/2013 05:19 pm »

No way to abort when heading to Mars, is the lead in to the life support element from Paragon.

Jason1701 · « **Reply #23 on:** 02/27/2013 05:20 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/27/2013 05:18 pm

Talks about Dr Phil (?).

In the context of putting feuding individuals on the 501-day mission so as to get them back together.

simonbp · « **Reply #24 on:** 02/27/2013 05:20 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/27/2013 05:16 pm

Speaks a bit like Golden Spike on the revenue streams.

Tito commits for the next two years of funding requirements.

The second part makes the first part a lot more believable.

JimO · « **Reply #25 on:** 02/27/2013 05:20 pm »

My live feed is jerking on and off, nearly unlistenable.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #26 on:** 02/27/2013 05:21 pm »

Challenges include: 1.4 years. No chance of an abort. 14.2 kms re-entry. Half the sunlight at Mars. Twice the sunlight on the fly past Venus.

The study noted a Lewis and Clark mission. No need to follow NASA guidelines.

simonbp · « **Reply #27 on:** 02/27/2013 05:21 pm »

A Lewis and Clark mission to Mars.

Jason1701 · « **Reply #28 on:** 02/27/2013 05:22 pm »

Quote from: simonbp on 02/27/2013 05:21 pm

A Lewis and Clark mission to Mars.

If they take that literally, it will narrow the astronaut candidates substantially.

apace · « **Reply #29 on:** 02/27/2013 05:23 pm »

Quote from: Jason1701 on 02/27/2013 05:22 pm

Quote from: simonbp on 02/27/2013 05:21 pm
A Lewis and Clark mission to Mars.
If they take that literally, it will narrow the astronaut candidates substantially.

I expect every astronaut at Nasa is currently searching the phone number of Tito.

Hodapp · « **Reply #30 on:** 02/27/2013 05:24 pm »

This is the kind of dreaming and boldness that makes America great! We need more of this kind of dreaming...of course...the hard part proper funding and action!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #31 on:** 02/27/2013 05:24 pm »

Not deemed safe to have just one crewmember. Going with man and a woman.

Cites ISS tech on life support. (ECLSS no doubt).

Water for the crew is a big challenge, again a hat tip to the above.

Everything is designed to be serviced inside the vehicle.

simonbp · « **Reply #32 on:** 02/27/2013 05:24 pm »

Everything servicable from inside, like a submarine. Wet lab with upper stage.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #33 on:** 02/27/2013 05:25 pm »

Notes the inflatable is a concept. Also looking at a rigid structure.

1200 Cubic Feet Volume. Half the volume is for the food and spares. 600 cubic feet of living space.

Jason1701 · « **Reply #34 on:** 02/27/2013 05:26 pm »

I like their spacecraft illustration. It looks like a cartoon of a number of different vehicles.

simonbp · « **Reply #35 on:** 02/27/2013 05:26 pm »

Falcon Heavy is an existence proof, several options.

apace · « **Reply #36 on:** 02/27/2013 05:27 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/27/2013 05:25 pm

Notes the inflatable is a concept. Also looking at a rigid structure.

1200 Cubic Feet Volume. Half the volume is for the food and spares. 600 cubic feet of living space.

600 cubic feet = 17 cubic meters.

Malderi · « **Reply #37 on:** 02/27/2013 05:27 pm »

Really looking forward to seeing what their LEO stack looks like. What's the usual TMI mass fraction for probes been? Are they just going to stack up a couple Centaurs and light 'em off?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #38 on:** 02/27/2013 05:27 pm »

Notes SpaceX for the proof study. Have not talked to SpaceX.

Some options require two launches. Variety of options being looked at.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #39 on:** 02/27/2013 05:28 pm »

Was impressed with NASA's "can do" spirit.

Said they will reimburse NASA for any work required.

Says the experience with NASA was "fabulous". He's also tickled pink about the team they have involved at Paragon. This bloke is fun!