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Mars Exploration Program
TECHNOLOGIES
The Mars Exploration Program invests in its own Mars-relevant
technologies, as well as staying abreast of complementary innovations
across NASA and the Aerospace industry. Technology investments unique
to Mars include:
● Mars Ascent Vehicle: An essential element if NASA is ever to return
materials (or people) from Mars, NASA’s Mars Exploration Program is
currently investing in propulsion & guidance technology that could survive
the trip to Mars and its harsh surface environments before being launched
back into space. Hybrid rocket motors using paraffin fuel burned with
liquid oxides of nitrogen are especially promising for this application.
Within the thin Mars atmosphere, aerodynamic controls such as fins will
not be effective, so investments are also being made in Liquid Injection
Thrust Vector Control (LITVC). Using small ports to inject liquid oxidizer
directly into the nozzle at different points, the direction of the MAV can be
controlled quickly and effectively with no moving parts, even in the thin
atmosphere on Mars.
