Mars Hopper Vehicle Configuration Design Sensitivity Analysis

Abstract

The hopper vehicle is proposed as an alternative mobility concept for exploration of the Martian surface. Preliminary design of the hopper vehicle with CO 2 thermal rocket for Mars mission is analyzed. The results show that the design domain can be enlarged by reducing the number of hops N. However, the less number of hops N means visiting the less sites on the Mars surface. The determination of the number of hops N and mission configuration is one of compromise. Additional, the results show that technology advances in the specific impulse Isp of propulsion system can enlarge the hopper vehicle design domains..