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In this book, Donald Rapp looks at human missions to Mars from a technological perspective. He divides the mission into a number of stages: Earth's surface to low-Earth orbit (LEO); departing from LEO toward Mars; Mars orbit insertion and entry, descent and landing; ascent from Mars; trans-Earth injection from Mars orbit and Earth return.
A mission to send humans to explore the surface of Mars has been the ultimate goal of planetary exploration since the 1950s, when von Braun conjectured a flotilla of 10 interplanetary vessels carrying a crew of at least 70 humans. Since then, more than 1,000 studies were carried out.
This third edition provides extensive updating and additions to the last edition, including new sections, and many new figures and tables, and references.
About the author
Donald Rapp has had a long and varied science and engineering career with since receiving his Ph.D. from the University of California in January 1960. He was a professor for 14 years, and achieved the rank of full professor at the age of 40. Over the years, he has developed a unique talent to move into a field, research it thoroughly, and write an incisive, perceptive summary of that field. His capabilities are widely sought for writing summary technical reports and technical proposals.
He has published numerous scientific papers and eight textbooks: Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Solar Energy, Financial Bubbles, Human Missions to Mars, Use of Extraterrestrial Materials in Human Missions to Mars and the Moon, The Climate Debate, and Assessing Climate Change.
His eight books are summarized at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~drdrapp
