From the Martian Surface to Its Low Orbit in a Reusable Single-Stage Vehicle—Charon

With Mars colonisation becoming a reality for the near future, it is of importance to analyse how crew and cargo can be transported between Earth colony on Mars. This article feasibility design study launch vehicle whose mission shuttle from Low Orbit Martian surface. A single-stage reusable rocket has been selected fulfil this mission, code-named Charon. The profile such was created, leading Maximum Growth Allowance (MGA) Delta-V budget 6.2 km/s. in mind, each subsystem underwent preliminary design. reliability maintainability subsystems were designed redundancy modularity, an abort system included added level safety. iterative process resulted with MGA mass 198.7 tons, capable transporting 1200 kg 6 people 500 km orbit back. deemed safe. Following fault tree analysis, Single Launch Loss Mission, Vehicle Crew (SL-LOM, SL-LOV, SL-LOC) probabilities are computed 0.975%, 0.12%, 0.079%. Finally, vehicle’s constraints base, project reflected upon. It that concept high interest only when base already operational, due maintenance infrastructure requires, as well power requires base.