journey through the cosmos from Earth to Mars and beyond
The prospect of humans setting foot on Mars to further explore the cosmos to tap into our intellectual curiosity and drive human understanding with newfound scientific knowledge has captivated the imagination of scientists, engineers, and dreamers for centuries.
A documentary film, The High Frontier: The Untold Story of Gerald K. O’Neill, tells the story of Gerald “Gerry” O’Neill’s life work to have humans settle in space and has helped inspire those after him to craft his vision into a reality. The video, Go Incredibly Fast, Nonprofit Limitless Space Institute, demonstrates the technical capabilities needed to achieve true independence and the voyage across the final “high” frontier.
Interplanetary travel was once confined to the realm of science fiction. Significant technological advancements in space exploration and settlement have and will continually transform space activities and operations into achievable goals, boosting the current Earth-based and developing space economies. Companies like SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s New Glenn play pivotal roles, including startup Intuitive Machines’ recent lunar landing mission, which continues to push momentum within the private sector of the commercial space industry in a forward trajectory. These developments unlock humankind’s full potential and establish the early pathways for a viable business case for space exploration. Explore how interplanetary commerce is taking shape from launch to surface operations.
Preparation Phase
Extensive planning and preparation are essential before the journey begins. This phase involves selecting the optimal launch window, where Earth and the final destination are aligned favorably for travel, reducing the journey’s duration, fuel, and safety requirements based on several factors, notably the launch location on Earth, which is mostly determined today by the mission’s final destination. Four strategic locations in the United States support various mission types:
Alaska
Commercial and military facilities with small payload classes for suborbital, orbital, and polar-orbit launches in one of the most sensitive climates within North America’s largest intact, pristine island ecosystem.
California
Commercial and military spaceports with light and medium (heavy 2026) payload classes for polar and orbital launches are located within 98,000 acres (35 miles of coastline) of national park lands.
Florida
Civil, commercial, and military spaceports with all payload classes and orbits located inside Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge support the highest number of threatened and endangered species anywhere in the country.
Virginia
Three launch pads with commercial and military small- to medium-payload classes for suborbital and GEO are located inside Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge and have active biological, conservation, and management practices, including seasonal big-game hunting.
Texas*
Blue Origin owns and operates a private vertical spaceport for heavy and superheavy payload classes in Van Horn, Texas, while SpaceX operates another in Boca Chica, Texas, known as “Starbase.” These spaceports serve solely for commercial research and development purposes for their respective entities and are not classified as an active fifth range for the United States.
Once we position the launch location, space agencies like NASA and private companies like SpaceX meticulously calculate these windows monthly based on several factors. These factors include but are not limited to the launch date, weather forecasts, regulatory bodies for flight path approvals like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the mass of the Earth and the launch vehicle, launch site coordination, and the inclination or altitude/distance based on the final destinations. The images below help provide a visual of future trading routes.
destinations and generalized distances
Once we set a destination, we determine the Payload Mass Class and select the accompanying Rocket Make and Model based on the destination and the delivered contents within the given mission parameters. Depending on the contents, other commercial partners and regulatory bodies help establish proper clearances and approvals to meet environmental and human safety standards.
payload mass class
Light: 0 - 2,000 kg
Medium: 2,000 - 20,000 kg
Heavy: 20,000 - 50,000 kg
Super Heavy: 50,000 - 136,078kg
rocket makes/models with payload mass class and fuel types
Not differentiating for Fuel Tanks in Lower Stage for Launch and Upper Stage for In-Space Propulsion.
SpaceX
Falcon 9 (Medium to Heavy using Cryogenic Liquid Oxygen (LOx) and Rocket-Grade Kerosene (RP-1)) and
Starship (Heavy to Super Heavy using Methane and Liquid Oxygen (LOx)).
Blue Origin
New Shephard (Light to Medium using Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen (LOx)) and
New Glenn (Medium to Heavy using Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquid Oxygen (LOx)).
United Launch Alliance (ULA)
Vulcan (Heavy to Super Heavy using Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquid Oxygen (LOx)).
Rocket Lab
Electron (Light using Liquid Oxygen (LOx) and Rocket-Grade Kerosene (RP-1)) and
Neutron (Light to Medium using Liquid Oxygen (LOx) and Rocket-Grade Kerosene (RP-1)).
Firefly Aerospace
Alpha (Light using Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquid Oxygen (LOx) and
MLV (Light to Medium using Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquid Oxygen (LOx)).
Relativity Space
Terran R (Medium to Heavy using Methane and Liquid Oxygen (LOx)).
Once the destination, location, mission payload contents, rocket make, and model are selected, the launch facility conducts various services with other parties worldwide. These services include:
Mission Planning and Operations Support,
Research and Development Partnerships,
Training and Education Programs,
Launch Vehicle Development and Testing Services,
Spacecraft Assembly and Integration Services,
Launch Support and Logistics, and
Spacecraft Recovery and Tracking Services.
launch
During the preparation phase, all the work involved helps to determine the rocket’s make and model based on the payload or the mission requirements. A launch from Earth’s surface initiates the journey to Mars. Rocket Boosters or First Stage, which provide the thrust for the Ship, also known as the Second Stage or Upper Stage of a launch vehicle to escape Earth’s atmosphere or reach Escape Velocity, are fueled by a combination of:
Cryogenic Liquid Oxygen and Rocket-Grade Kerosene,
Methane and Liquid Oxygen,
Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen, and
Liquefied Natural Gas and Liquid Oxygen.
The Upper Stage, featuring a separate fuel tank, ignites after the Boosters and Upper Stage are separated once the vehicle reaches orbit. The Boosters descend to land back on Earth, and the Ship fires its series of engines for in-space propulsion to its final destination.
interplanetary transit
The interplanetary transit phase is the journey’s longest and most critical part. It can last anywhere from six to nine months, depending on the relative positions of Earth and Mars. During this time, the electronic systems fight against radiation exposure, which is prone to cause malfunctions in electrical systems and hardware alongside astronauts aboard crewed missions, must contend with the challenges of long-duration space travel, including continued research of the microgravity effects on the human body and psychological stressors with institutions like Baylor’s Translational Research in Human Space Health (TRISH).
In recent years, advancements in spacecraft design and propulsion technologies have led to the development of innovative concepts, such as the most plausible nuclear thermal electric propulsion, which promises faster transit times with cleaner fuel types and reduced mission durations, as witnessed by the collaboration between DAPRA and NASA with plans to have technological capabilities as soon as 2027 and startups like former astronaut and CEO of Ad Astra Rocket Company, Franklin Chang-Diaz’ lifelong endeavor.
entry, descent, and landing (EDL)
As it approaches Mars, the spacecraft enters the crucial entry, descent, and landing (EDL) phase. This stage is often called the “seven minutes of terror” due to the intense challenges of safely delivering a payload to the Martian surface.
EDL begins with the spacecraft’s descent into the Martian atmosphere, where it encounters extreme heat and friction. To slow down the spacecraft, a combination of parachutes, retrorockets, and innovative technologies like the “sky crane” system pioneered by NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission is deployed.
surface operations
Upon a successful landing, the surface operations phase begins. As part of a crewed mission, astronauts disembark from the spacecraft and establish a base or habitat on the Martian surface. They conduct scientific research, collect samples, and perform experiments to further our understanding of the planet’s geology, atmosphere, and potential for supporting life.
challenges and considerations
The journey from Earth to Mars presents numerous challenges and considerations, including radiation exposure, life support systems, communication delays, and the psychological effects of isolation and confinement. Addressing these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on aerospace engineering, medicine, psychology, and planetary science expertise.
charting the cosmic course
The expedition from Earth to Mars represents a monumental leap forward in humanity’s quest to explore and understand the cosmos. Through the visionary endeavors of pioneers like Gerald K. O’Neill and the relentless innovation of organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and NASA, what was science fiction is now within our grasp with an evolving business case. The meticulous planning, technological advancements, and collaborative efforts showcased throughout this journey underscore the resilience and ingenuity of the human spirit. As we navigate the challenges of interplanetary travel, from preparation and launch to entry, descent, and landing, we are not only pushing the boundaries of our capabilities but also laying the groundwork for a future where exploring distant worlds becomes a reality and commerce can take shape. With each milestone achieved, we inch closer to unlocking the mysteries of the universe and fulfilling humanity’s enduring curiosity to explore the unknown. As we embark on this cosmic voyage, let us embrace the challenges ahead with determination, knowing that our journey to Mars and beyond holds the promise of discoveries, scientific breakthroughs, and boundless opportunities for the advancement of our species.
shaping the future of space exploration and commerce
As we stand on the threshold of a new era of exploration and commerce in the cosmos, Gallant invites you to join us in shaping the future of deep “frontier” tech industrial innovation. Our expertise in brand management, visual and verbal design, strategic marketing communications, and culture training workshops uniquely positions us to navigate the challenges and opportunities the journey from Earth to Mars and beyond presents. Whether you are a pioneering organization seeking to redefine the boundaries of possibility or an ambitious individual driven by a passion for exploration, let us embark on this cosmic voyage together. Contact Gallant today to discover how we can partner to chart a course toward success in the evolving landscape of space exploration and commerce. The stars beckon, and the time to answer their call is now.