Launch Options for Mars Network Missions using Small Spacecraft

The currently-planned Mars Global Network Mission calls for a Delta II launch to deploy spacecraft that will place small stations on the surface of the planet. This study of small launch vehicles revealed that the Taurus is more cost efficient than large launch vehicles such as the Delta II and Titan IV. The Taurus can launch 1092 lb into a Mars transfer orbit at a cost of $13,740/lb while the Delta 7925 can place 2350 Ib into the transfer orbit at $17,450/lb. Small vehicles such as the Scout G-l and Pegasus can place less than 300 Ib into the transfer orbit, inadequate payload for a Mars mission. A growth version of the Scout II can place 422 lb into the transfer orbit, but at the relatively high cost of $35,550/lb. The small vehicles were assumed to have launched the Mars spacecraft into a 150 nm circular orbit with low inclination; the spacecraft were assumed to have bipropellant hydrazine propulsion for orbit transfer.