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Space Nuclear Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration (2021) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-2

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From page 1...
... Lastly, application of a complex set of NEP subsystems to the baseline mission requires parallel development of a compatible large-scale chemical propulsion system to provide the primary thrust when departing Earth orbit and when entering and departing Mars orbit. As a result of low and intermittent investment over the past several decades, it is unclear if even an aggressive program would be able to develop an NEP system capable of executing the baseline mission in 2039.
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From page 2...
... For NEP systems, ground testing should include modular subsystem tests at full scale and power. Given the need to send multiple cargo missions to Mars prior to the flight of the first crewed mission, the committee also recommends that NASA use these cargo missions as a means of flight qualification of the space nuclear propulsion system that will be incorporated into the first crewed mission.
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Key Terms

  • space nuclear
  • nuclear propulsion
  • exploration mission
  • human exploration
  • including commercial

  • crewed mission
  • commercial industry
  • comprehensive assessment
  • key stakeholders
  • relative merits

  • aggressive program
  • particular baseline
  • baseline mars
  • nuclear thermal
  • primary thrust

  • crewed missions
  • operational reliability
  • mission requires
  • include modular
  • flights beginning

  • objective comparison
  • integrated nep
  • launch date
  • thermal propulsion
  • haleu versus

  • mars mission
  • subsystem tests
  • chemical propulsion
  • complex set
  • multiple cargo


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