Metal-CO2 Propulsion for Mars Missions : Current Status and Opportunities
Metal-CO2 Propulsion for Mars Missions : Current Status and Opportunities
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DOI：
10.2514/1.32635
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发表时间：
2008-05
影响因子：
1.9
通讯作者：
E. Shafirovich;A. Varma
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
E. Shafirovich;A. Varma
*†与其他火星原位资源利用（ISRU）技术相比，金属-二氧化碳推进技术鲜为人知。这个概念是基于使用火星二氧化碳作为喷气发动机或火箭发动机的氧化剂，它的优点是不需要对二氧化碳进行化学处理，因此比ISRU替代品需要更少的电力消耗。在本文中，我们回顾了金属-二氧化碳推进的各个方面，如镁和铝在二氧化碳中的燃烧，发动机的类型和特性，液态二氧化碳和金属燃料在火星上的生产，以及潜在的任务。还讨论了月球和地面的应用。N-SITU Resource Utilization （ISRU）被认为是火星探测的一项使能技术，它可以显著降低机器人和人类任务的质量、成本和风险。未来任务的关键因素是为火星上升飞行器提供大量推进剂，同时在火星上长期停留和移动的动力和推进剂也很重要。与之前的无返回任务相比，将推进剂从地球运输到火星需要在近地轨道上大幅增加硬件的初始质量（从而增加任务成本）。幸运的是，火星拥有可用于生产推进剂的资源。火星大气中95%的二氧化碳是最明显也是最有前途的就地资源。我
*† Metal-CO2 propulsion is less known than other Mars in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies. This concept, based on using Martian carbon dioxide as an oxidizer in jet or rocket engines, offers the advantage of no chemical processing for CO2 and thus requires less power consumption than ISRU alternatives. In this paper, we review various aspects of metal-CO2 propulsion, such as combustion of magnesium and aluminum in CO2, engine types and characteristics, production of liquid CO2 and metal fuel on Mars, and potential missions. Lunar and terrestrial applications are also discussed. I. Introduction N-SITU Resource Utilization (ISRU) is recognized as an enabling technology for exploration of Mars, which can significantly reduce the mass, cost, and risk of robotic and human missions. The critical element in future missions is the large mass of propellant for a Mars ascent vehicle, while power and propellant to accommodate a long stay and mobility on Mars are also important. Transportation of propellant from Earth to Mars requires tremendous increase in the initial mass of hardware in low Earth orbit (and hence mission cost) as compared to prior no-return missions. Fortunately, Mars possesses resources that can be used for propellant production. The Martian atmosphere consisting of 95% CO2 is the obvious and most promising in-situ resource. I