SpaceX 8

Musk’s Mars vision , plans , challenges and Summary

Jim Rauf

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1 Introduction: topics , some basics and rocket pioneers
2 SpaceX founding , Musk’s vision, facilities, organization, personnel
3 SpaceX and NASA commercial funding
4 Falcon rockets and engines , Falcon 1, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy
5 Dragon spacecraft , Cargo Dragon and Crew Dragon
6 Super Heavy booster and engines and Starship spacecraft
7 Starship competition for Artemis Moon Human Landing System
8 Musk’s Mars vision , plans and challenges

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 Some Topics
• Rocket basics • Elon Musk and SpaceX founding
• Orbits • SpaceX’s first rocket - Falcon 1
• Escape velocity • Falcon 9 – reusable booster - lower costs to orbit
• Some facts about space travel • Falcon 9 – SpaceX workhorse
• A little rocket history • SpaceX advantages
• Rocket pioneers • Falcon Heavy – SpaceX heavy lift booster
• NASA space programs • SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy booster
• International Space Station (ISS) • SpaceX facilities
• Reusable rockets – Space Shuttle • Artemis Moon program and SpaceX
• Russian flights to ISS • Starship HLS
• U.S. government support for commercial rockets • Musk’s ultimate goal – Mars colony
• “Private” commercial rocket companies • SpaceX Starlink business plan
• Costs to reach space • Mars challenges

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 Elon Musk’s Mars Vision

• Musk believes that it is essential for the long-term

survival and advancement of humanity to become a
multi-planetary species
• Musk's vision includes the idea of creating a backup for
humanity in case of catastrophic events on Earth, such as
nuclear war, pandemics, or environmental disasters
• Musk aims to establish a self-sustaining colony on Mars,
starting with a small initial crew and expanding over time
• He sees Mars as the most viable option for this goal due
to its relative proximity and potential for terraforming
• Musk has suggested that over time, Mars could be • Achieving the goal of Mars colonization remains a long-
transformed into a more Earth-like environment through term endeavor
processes like releasing greenhouse gases and generating • It will require extensive resources and commitment
a sustainable atmosphere beyond the resources of SpaceX
• This would make the planet more hospitable for human • It will likely require collaboration with governments,
habitation without the need for life support systems international partners, and the scientific community

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 Mars Facts

• Distance from Earth to Mars

• Average 140 million miles
• Closest 34.8 million miles
• Farthest 250 million miles
• Distance from Earth to the Moon
• Average 238,855 miles

• NASA : crewed mission to Mars and back, plus time on

the surface, takes between two and three years

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 Earth and Mars

Mars does not have a global magnetic field

Escape velocity (km/s) 11.19 5.03

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 Moon versus Mars

• The Moon is much closer to Earth than Mars, with an

average distance of about 238,900 miles
• Crewed lunar missions are relatively short in terms of
travel time.
• Mars is significantly farther away from Earth, with an
average distance of about 140 million miles
• Crewed Mars missions involve much longer travel times
• Crewed Moon missions typically last for a few days to a
couple of weeks. The Apollo missions, for example, were
relatively short-term missions.
• Crewed Mars missions are much more extended in
duration, with expected mission lengths ranging from
several months to over a year. The time spent on Mars
itself could be anywhere from a few weeks to a few
months.

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 Moon versus Mars

• Moon landings and takeoffs are relatively

straightforward, as there is no substantial atmosphere to
deal with
• This makes it less challenging to land and depart from the
Moon's surface.
• Mars landings and takeoffs are more complex due to the
thin atmosphere
• This requires specialized entry, descent, and landing (EDL)
systems for safe landings and ascent vehicles for
returning to Earth
• Communication with the Moon is relatively
straightforward, with minimal signal delay (about 1.28
seconds one way).
• Communication with Mars has significant signal delays,
which can range from approximately 4 to 22 minutes one
way, depending on the relative positions of the planets
• This necessitates autonomous systems and careful
mission planning

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 Moon versus Mars

• Moon missions require life support systems to provide

crew members with air, water, and food for a relatively
short duration
• The Moon's lack of a substantial atmosphere provides
some protection from cosmic radiation.
• Mars missions require advanced life support systems
capable of sustaining a crew for extended periods
• The thin Martian atmosphere provides minimal radiation
shielding, and the journey to Mars exposes astronauts to
cosmic and solar radiation for an extended time.
• Moon launch windows occur relatively frequently, with
opportunities to send missions about once a month.
• Mars has launch windows that align approximately every
26 months due to the relative positions of the two
planets
• Missions must be carefully timed to take advantage of
these windows

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 Moon versus Mars

• The Moon has potential resources like water ice in

permanently shadowed craters especially at the south
pole
• Could be used for life support and rocket fuel ( H2 +O2 )

• Mars has possibility of in situ resource utilization (ISRU)

• For water extraction and fuel production
• Moxie has demonstrated O2 extraction for Martian
atmosphere

• Lunar missions are shorter and relatively more straight
forward
• Mars missions are longer and more complex
• The Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization
Experiment (MOXIE) technology demonstration on the
NASA Mars 2020 rover Perseverance investigating the
production of oxygen on Mars
• On April 20, 2021, MOXIE produced O2 from CO2 in the
Martian atmosphere by using solid oxide electrolysis
(CO2>CO+O2)

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Starship Plan

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 Getting to Mars

• Spacecraft Design and

Construction: These spacecraft
must be equipped with life
support systems, propulsion
systems, communication
equipment, and various scientific
instruments
• Launch: The spacecraft must be
launched into space from Earth
using a powerful rocket- Super
Heavy and Starship
• This involves multiple launches to
fuel the spacecraft in Earth orbit

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Starship Crew Accommodations - Speculation

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Earth to Mars Architecture

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Starships in LEO Ready to go to Mars

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 Getting to Mars

• Earth-Mars Transfer Orbit: Mars and Earth

are in constant motion around the Sun, and
the most fuel-efficient time to travel to Mars
is during a "Mars transfer window.“
• These windows occur roughly every 26
months when the two planets are aligned
favorably for interplanetary travel
• The spacecraft is launched during this window
to begin its journey to Mars
• The spacecraft departs Earth orbit at a speed
of about 24,600 mph

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 Getting to Mars

• Cruise to Mars: The spacecraft travels through

space on a Hohmann Transfer trajectory that will
intersect with Mars’ orbit
• This cruise phase takes several months, and it's
during this time that astronauts must contend
with the challenges of long-duration space travel,
such as radiation exposure, muscle atrophy, and
psychological stress

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 Getting to Mars
• Arrival at Mars: As the spacecraft approaches Mars, it
needs to slow down to be captured by Mars' gravity
• This is typically achieved through a series of engine burns • Starship will enter Mars’ Starship
• The spacecraft must also go through an entry, descent,
and landing (EDL) phase to safely reach the Martian
will enter Mars’ the physics of
surface Mars entry for Starship.
• Starship will enter Mars’ atmosphere at 7.7 km/sec and
decelerate aerodynamically
• The vehicle’s heat shield is designed to withstand
multiple entries, but the vehicle is going into Mars’
atmosphere so hot , we still expect to see some ablation
of the heat shield
• Numerous Starship vehicles will deliver equipment for
manufacture of LOX and LCH4 for refueling the crewed
Starship’s return flight to Earth

• LANDING ON MARS
• Starship will enter Mars’ atmosphere at 7.5 kilometers
per second and decelerate aerodynaicaStarship.
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 Getting to Mars

• Surface Operations: astronauts will spend time on the

Martian surface, conducting experiments and explorations
• They will need habitats, life support systems, and spacesuits
for surface activities
• SpaceX intends to manufacture propellant on Mars for
return flight to Earth
• Return to Earth: After completing their mission on Mars, the
astronauts must return to Earth
• This involves launching from the Martian surface, and then
embarking on the journey back to Earth
• Return flight is via Hohman Transfer trajectory
• Departure at Earth - Mars launch window

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 Getting to Mars

• Earth Reentry and Landing: The

Starship reenters Earth's
atmosphere decelerating
aerodynamically
• Its heat shield protecting its
structure during reentry
• Starship lands vertically at Boca
Chica
• “Caught” by arms of Catch Tower

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 Challenges of Crewed Mars Missions

• Long Duration Space Travel: Mars missions will require
astronauts to spend several months in space
• The extended duration of the journey increases the risks
associated with radiation exposure, psychological stress,
and physiological changes in microgravity
• Radiation Exposure: Astronauts traveling to Mars will be
exposed to higher levels of cosmic radiation and solar
radiation compared to Earth's protective magnetosphere
• Microgravity Effects: Prolonged exposure to microgravity
can lead to muscle atrophy, bone loss, and other
physiological changes.
• Life Support Systems: Creating reliable life support
systems capable of sustaining a crew for an extended
period in a closed environment is essential
• These systems need to provide oxygen, water, and
remove carbon dioxide, waste, and pollutants
• Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL): Safely landing
on Mars is a significant challenge due to the thin Martian
atmosphere and the need to slow down spacecraft during
descent
• Habitat and Environmental Control: Designing and
building a habitat on Mars that can protect astronauts
from harsh Martian conditions while providing a
comfortable and safe living space is a complex task
• The habitat must maintain a stable environment with
temperature, pressure, and radiation protection

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 Challenges of Crewed Mars Missions
• Resource Utilization: Mars missions may benefit from
utilizing local resources, such as producing oxygen from
the Martian atmosphere, extracting water from the
Martian soil, and generating power from local resources
• Developing and testing these technologies is crucial for
long-term sustainability on Mars.
• Communication Delays: Mars is far from Earth, and
communication can experience significant delays due to
the varying distances between the two planets
• This can impact real-time decision-making and
emergency response capabilities
• Human Factors: The psychological and social challenges
of living and working in a confined space with a small
crew for an extended duration can be significant
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• Emergency Medical Care: Being so far from Earth makes
emergency medical care challenging
• Mission planners must develop medical protocols and
equipment to handle various health emergencies and
injuries that may occur during the mission
• Robotic Precursor Missions: Before sending humans to
Mars, it is crucial to conduct robotic missions to gather
essential data about the Martian environment,
resources, and potential landing sites
• Delivery and set up of O2 and CH4 extraction and
liquification equipment for Starship propellant
• International Collaboration: Mars missions are likely to
involve multiple space agencies and international
cooperation.
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 Challenges of Crewed Mars Missions
• The Delta-v (Δv) required for a crewed trip from Earth to
Mars depends on several factors, including the specific
mission profile, spacecraft design, propulsion technology,
and mission objectives
• Typically, a crewed mission to Mars would require a delta-
v in the range of 6 to 8 kilometers per second (km/s) or
possibly more
• This delta-v requirement encompasses various phases of
the journey:
• Earth Departure: To escape Earth's gravity and leave
Earth's orbit, the spacecraft will require a velocity change
of approximately 3.6 to 4.1 km/s
• Transfer Orbit to Mars: After departing from Earth, the
spacecraft will follow a transfer orbit to Mars, requiring
an additional delta-v of approximately 0.7 to 1.3 km/s to
reach the appropriate trajectory for Mars
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• Mars Capture and Arrival: As the spacecraft approaches
Mars, it will need to perform a capture burn to slow
down and be captured by Mars' gravity
• This requires another delta-v of about 0.7 to 1.3 km/s to
enter Mars' orbit or to land on the planet's surface
• The spacecraft will also require additional delta-v for any
orbital maneuvers, rendezvous and docking with other
spacecraft
• It will require 5.03 km/s to escape Mars’ gravity and
return to Earth
• Mission planners aim to optimize the trajectory to
minimize delta-v requirements and travel time, while
ensuring the safety and well-being of the crew
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Challenges of Missions to Mars Earth to the Moon

• With has a mean orbital

velocity around the Earth of
2,286 miles/hr

• Moon’s orbital circumference

~747,700 miles

• Apollo XI trip time ~3 days

• Moon moved ~80,110 miles

(~10% of its orbital
circumference)

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Challenges of Missions to Mars Earth to Mars
• Earth orbits Sun at ~67,000 miles/hr

• Mars orbits Sun at ~ 54,200 miles /hr

• Path to Mars is “Minimum Energy

Transfer”

• Distance is ~300 million miles

• Velocity is ~24,600 mph

• Time is 259 days

• At landing on Mars - Earth is well ahead

of Mars

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 Space Flights to Date
Falcon 9 Falcon Heavy Dragon Capsule
Launches 269 8 42
Landings 227 15 38
Re-flights 202 12 20

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Payoff

Bing Videos

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Rockets and Spacecraft

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Destinations

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 Summary – The First 21 Years
• Basis for “Private” Commercial space companies • Manufacturing methods
• Commercial Space Launch Act, enacted on October 30, • Combine new technologies with proven technologies
1984
• SpaceX emphasis on low costs
• Elon Musk vision of colonizing Mars
• NASA Commercial Contracts support for:
• Ambitious
• Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets
• Wealth from previous businesses
• Merlin and Raptor rocket engines
• SpaceX founded 2002
• Dragon cargo and crew capsules
• Rocket and vehicle Reusability Videos
• Artemis Moon program – commercial contracts
• Musk hired experienced people
• SpaceX Starship HLS
• Falcon 1 –SpaceX funded
• Starlink and Starshield communications satellite
• Retirement of Space Shuttle in 2011 constellation
• NASA needed transport to ISS • SpaceX builds on its successes and learns from its failures

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