Conceptual design overview of the Hercules Transportation System.

What is it about?

Presents a conceptual design of a series of transportation vehicles used to support exploration and settlement beyond Earth, at the moon and at Mars. These vehicles are reusable and provide functionality for major propulsive maneuvers, entry,descent and landing, cargo delivery and crew transport.

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Why is it important?

Design concept enables a common system to support missions between the Earth and cis-lunar space, cis-lunar space and the lunar surface, cis-lunar space and Mars orbit, and Mars orbit and Mars surface. Vehicle designed for maximum operational flexibility and crew safety rather than minimal mass. In addition, for launch and landing at planetary bodies, the concept offers crew abort capabilities not previously considered. Finally, the design allows vehicle sections to be re-purposed to support buildup of lunar and Mars surface capabilities.