Thrust breaking is not going to be around for long. Why? Because it isn't acceptable.
Too difficult? Yes it isn't easy to do, but then again getting a ship to mars isn't easy either but we did that. This is just the next hurdel.
Most of the fuel is spent escaping the earth, the last thing you want to do is add to the total mass that must be accelerated. Not to mention that when a thrust reducing craft reaches mars its total mass is far greater than a craft that uses aerobreaking. Did I mention that crafts that use aerobreaks can get there faster, while using less fuel?
AND... If you were to ever plan a return trip from mars, the amount of fuel you would need if you relied on thrust to induce your -delta V, would be FAR too much.
The air density CHANGES? No!! You're KIDDING!! Next thing your going to tell me is that the atmosphere is constantly changing, almost like WIND! Gimme a break.
If you REALLY want to understand this topic, and the different proposed methods for reaching mars with a crew and returning them to earth, then you should go checkout/buy The Case For Mars.
The solution is not giant, zillion dollar monster ships, but small, light, quick craft.
2 years ago while attending bradley university www.bradley.edu, I put up a website called www.bradleyblows.com. It only took 2 days for the athletic director to threaten me with removing my scholarship if I didn't take down the site. Well I caved in because I needed the money, but now that I graduated the site is up and alive again!
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Hey Dave, Are you going to be coming to Grandma's for Thanksgiving? Your cousin, Chris
Thrust breaking is not going to be around for long. Why? Because it isn't acceptable. Too difficult? Yes it isn't easy to do, but then again getting a ship to mars isn't easy either but we did that. This is just the next hurdel. Most of the fuel is spent escaping the earth, the last thing you want to do is add to the total mass that must be accelerated. Not to mention that when a thrust reducing craft reaches mars its total mass is far greater than a craft that uses aerobreaking. Did I mention that crafts that use aerobreaks can get there faster, while using less fuel? AND... If you were to ever plan a return trip from mars, the amount of fuel you would need if you relied on thrust to induce your -delta V, would be FAR too much. The air density CHANGES? No!! You're KIDDING!! Next thing your going to tell me is that the atmosphere is constantly changing, almost like WIND! Gimme a break. If you REALLY want to understand this topic, and the different proposed methods for reaching mars with a crew and returning them to earth, then you should go checkout/buy The Case For Mars. The solution is not giant, zillion dollar monster ships, but small, light, quick craft.
2 years ago while attending bradley university www.bradley.edu, I put up a website called www.bradleyblows.com. It only took 2 days for the athletic director to threaten me with removing my scholarship if I didn't take down the site. Well I caved in because I needed the money, but now that I graduated the site is up and alive again!