Rapp D. Human Missions to Mars: Enabling Technologies for Exploring the Red Planet

Springer + Praxis Publishing, 2007, 520 p. — ISBN10: 3540729380, ISBN13: 9783540729389.This book presents a highly readable yet realistic view of the possibilities for human missions to Mars. It provides for the first time a ‘level-headed’ assessment of plans for human exploration of Mars to counteract the tendency of space agencies to take an over-optimistic approach to such interplanetary missions. The author presents a detailed analysis of why, in his opinion, the current NASA approach will fail to send humans to Mars before 2080.Why explore Mars?
Planning space campaigns and missions
Getting there and back
Critical Mars mission elements
In situ utilization of indigenous resources
Mars mission analysis
How NASA is dealing with return to the Moon
Why the NASA approach will likely fail to send humans to Mars prior to с 2080Solar energy on the Moon
Solar energy on Mars
Water on Mars