Revision as of 10:59, 20 March 2010

This is the page for estimating the masses of consumables in Mars Direct as part of the Tsiolkovsky Compendium Project. On page 92 of his book The Case For Mars, Zubrin estimates them to be as follows:

• Consumables: 7.0 Tonnes consisting of (TCFM page 92):
  • Oxygen: 160 kg total (1 kg/man*day at 80% reuse)
  • Dry Food: 1600 kg total (.5 kg/man*day at 0% reuse)
  • Whole Food: 3200 kg total (1 kg/man*day at 0% reuse)
  • Potable Water: 0 kg total [?] (4 kg/man*day at 80% reuse)
  • Wash Water: 2080 kg total (26 kg/man*day at 90% reuse)

Oxygen

Consumption Rate

On the space shuttle, Oxygen is used at a rate of .8 kg per person*day [1]. Zubrin's 1 kg per day seems reasonable.

Reuse Rate

Based on technologies pioneered on the ISS, 90-95% closure for oxygen seems reasonable [citation needed]. Assuming the lower number, that is 0.1 kg per day of oxygen. Over 600 says with 4 people, that is 240 kg. With 95% closure, that is 120 kg of oxygen. An intermediate value falls at 180 kg, right near Zubrin's 160 kg.

Total Mass for 600 day Mission

Based on the above, a figure of 180 kg of Oxygen is a reasonable estimate.

Dry Food

Whole Food

Potable Water

Washwater

References