Mars Academy

From Earth to Mars

The primary problem to be solved in a manned mission to Mars is the determination of the trajectory to take the spacecraft to Mars. This is fundamental in several ways, for it not only will be a major constraint in choosing the propulsion system, but it will also determine the total time for the journey.

The time for the round trip is a very important variable in terms of life support system design, weight of the fully loaded vehicle and medical considerations with respect to the crew.

The following sections include the study of the specific problem of an Earth-Mars trip and a proposed trajectory, complete with the mission timeline.

• Getting to Low Earth Orbit
• From Low Earth Orbit to Mars
• The Launch Opportunity
• Calculating the velocity needed to enter the transfer orbit
• Velocity at any point in the orbit
• Velocity at perihelion
• Time needed to effect the transfer
• Determining the initial angle between planets
• Calculating the launch date
• The arrival date
• The Return Trip
• Martian orbit
• Calculation of change in velocity required to enter the transfer orbit
• Time for the return journey
• Aligning the planets for the comeback.
• Determination of return date
• Back to Earth   
• Mission timeline