Mars Base Camp: Lockheed Martin’s Red Planet Plan in Pictures

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The Red Planet Up Close

Lockheed Martin

A Ferry to Mars

Lockheed Martin

Studying Mars from orbit is great, but eventually astronauts will make the first landing on the Red Planet. To do that, Lockheed Martin came up with the Mars Ascent/Descent Vehicle (seen here at either end Mars Base Camp, one is docked). The reusable lander would allow astronauts to visit different regions on Mars after landing sites had been selected from orbit. Having two landers provides redundancy, ensuring that a backup lander is available in case the primary one fails.

Landing on Mars

Lockheed Martin

The Mars Ascent/Descent Vehicle, or MADV, would carry four astronauts to the Martian surface for two-week excursions. Once complete, the MADV would then launch back into orbit as a single-stage fully reusable vehicle. The lander will use liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as propellant.

Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
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