It has been proposed to convert the International Space Station (ISS) into a spacecraft for a flight to Mars after the completion of its main mission. The idea was put forward by Nathan Eismont, a leading researcher at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
It is proposed to use ISS modules to create the spacecraft. The scientist is confident that this is technically feasible and economically justified.
Please, there are 15 of these modules, and the total mass is 440 tons. Putting such a mass into orbit is a very difficult task, why waste it?
Eismont recalled that the creation of a multi-module spacecraft for interplanetary flights was proposed by the founder of Russian cosmonautics, Sergei Korolev.
He believed that with the help of his carrier - the R-7 medium-range missile, from which modern Soyuzes originate - it is possible to fly even to Mars, if you assemble the spacecraft already in orbit. This approach is more reliable, cheaper and easier to implement than creating an entire super-heavy carrier.
The scientist believes that if the idea of creating a spacecraft is not implemented, the ISS can also be turned into a space museum.
If you raise its orbit a little, say, by 150 kilometers, it won't cost that much - then these maneuvers to maintain the orbit altitude, which are regularly needed today, practically disappear. It turns out to be such a museum, and people who have the resources will be able to go there.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that Rosatom developed a plasma rocket engine for long-range space flights.
Read more on the topic:
It became known when Russia will begin manned flights to Mars
Flights to the Moon and Mars: the new ROS station will help in the exploration of deep space
