Nuclear Propulsion : The longer the journey, the more expensive, difficult, and dangerous the journey is. Fuel, life support systems, and food must all last this duration. So, to make the trip quicker, NASA is working on more effective propulsion systems - which use nuclear thermal propulsion. Nuclear thermal propulsion provides twice the efficiency of current technology. A propellant like liquid hydrogen is heated up via a nuclear reactor. As the hydrogen is converted into gas, it provides thrust via a nozzle, propelling the spacecraft.
Inflatable Heat Shields : n inflatable heat shield, like the one that NASA is developing, could improve this process drastically. Called the Low-Earth-Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID), this inflatable heat shield is six meters wide, made up of synthetic fibers 15 times stronger than steel, and is designed to unfold and inflate as the spacecraft enters Mars’ atmosphere. Taking up less space than a traditional heat shield, yet being larger on inflation, will enable us to land on Mars safely.
High-tech Martian spacesuits : Future upgrades to address the differences on Mars may include technology for life support functionality in the carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere and modified outer garments to keep astronauts warm during the Martian winter and prevent overheating in the summer season.
Martian home and lab on wheels : Much like an RV, the pressurized rover will have everything inside that astronauts need to live and work for weeks. They can drive in comfortable clothing, tens of miles from the spacecraft that will launch them back to space for the return trip to Earth. When they encounter interesting locations, astronauts can put on their high-tech spacesuits to exit the rover and collect samples and conduct science experiments.
Uninterrupted power : Mars has a day and night cycle like Earth and periodic dust storms that can last for months, making nuclear fission power a more reliable option than solar power. NASA already tested the technology on Earth and demonstrated it is safe, efficient, and plentiful enough to enable long-duration surface missions. NASA plans to demonstrate and use the fission power system on the Moon first, then Mars.
