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William-Black — SpaceX ITS Architecture
Published: 2016-09-28 22:43:27 +0000 UTC; Views: 2558; Favourites: 78; Downloads: 0
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Description
The Booster will launch the Interplanetary Spacecraft into LEO, then return to land directly on the launch-stand on Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. The Booster will be refueled and a Tanker loaded on top. The Booster will then launch the tanker into an orbit to meet the Interplanetary Spacecraft and transfer its propellant load. This will be repeated five times, and about 100 tons of additional cargo will be transferred to the Interplanetary Spacecraft, along with 100+ passengers. The Interplanetary Spacecraft will then depart for Mars. The flight will take about 100 days depending on the transfer window. At Mars the Interplanetary Spacecraft will aerobrake and land propulsively. Passengers and cargo will be disembarked and the Interplanetary Spacecraft will loaded with propellant for its return trip to Earth. Previously landed passengers who wish to return to Earth will get a free ride back at this time.You can watch Elon Musk's full presentation from my journal, here: Making Humans a Multiplanetary Species
Video: SpaceX Interplanetary Transport System
Images and Data Courtesy SpaceX.
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