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Author
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Topic: Return from Mars: direct entry vs. orbit
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Obviousman
Member Posts: 438
From: NSW, Australia
Registered: May 2005
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posted 01-08-2009 02:37 AM
   
I'm not swept up on the speeds involved, but what is the feasibility of having a returning Mars-mission craft come back to Earth orbit rather than re-entry?
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Rodina
Member Posts: 836
From: Lafayette, CA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 01-19-2009 04:00 AM
If you aim it right, you can aerobrake back into an orbit rather than a direct-descent, although you'd need to keep enough manuvering fuel to get yourself either to a station or, ultimately, back down to Earth. There's no way to get to the ISS, however, since its at 50-odd degrees, and you'd be coming in at no more than about 25-or so degrees (23.5 tilt + 1.8 orbital inclination of Mars) | |
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