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The Martian atmosphere also makes aerobraking possible, meaning spacecraft arriving there need less delta-V. A Dragon2 can land in Mars, but not on the Moon bec

by bergie 10y ago

The Martian atmosphere also makes aerobraking possible, meaning spacecraft arriving there need less delta-V. A Dragon2 can land in Mars, but not on the Moon because of this.

exDM69 10y ago
Aerobraking is a benefit but is the Dragon really unable to land on the moon? The moon has less gravity (about half) and the velocity difference should be much smaller for a lunar intercept than a Mars intercept. Has anyone got numbers for this?
- lmm 10y ago
  Dragon doesn't have enough delta-V to land on the moon. The plan for a Mars landing is to use it as a lifting body to keep it above the ground for long enough to shed most of its velocity.
  - exDM69 10y ago
    Yes, GP said that already but I'm after the numbers here. How much delta-v the Dragon has? And what are the approximate requirements for Moon vs. Mars landing?
    - Symmetry 10y ago
      The Dragon 2 has about 1.6 km/s. Apollo had 2.47 km/s to land and 2.22 km/s to take off. Oh, and it would take on the order of 4.5 km/s to take off from Mars and maybe a few hundred to land.
      - exDM69 10y ago
        Thanks! These numbers look reasonable to me. Can you provide a link to source (s)? I'd like to read some more...
  - dalke 10y ago
    I've read various statements which say that Dragon can land on the Moon, such as http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/mars-ahead-spacex-unveils-dragon-v2-capsule-astronaut-trips-n118116 http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/mars-ahead-spacex-unvei... : > Musk has said a fully loaded Dragon could even be sent to make a touchdown on the moon or Mars or https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/04/spacex-debut-red-dragon-2018-mars-mission/ https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/04/spacex-debut-red-dra... : > “With Dragon launched on a Falcon Heavy, it can go pretty much anywhere in the solar system, because that’s a heck of a big rocket,” he continued. > “Dragon, with the heat shield, parachutes and propulsive landing capability, is able to land on a planet that has higher entry heating, like Mars. It can also land on the Moon, or potentially conduct a Europa mission.” How does that fit with the statement "Dragon doesn't have enough delta-V to land on the moon"?

by bergie 10y ago

The Martian atmosphere also makes aerobraking possible, meaning spacecraft arriving there need less delta-V. A Dragon2 can land in Mars, but not on the Moon because of this.

exDM69 10y ago

Aerobraking is a benefit but is the Dragon really unable to land on the moon? The moon has less gravity (about half) and the velocity difference should be much smaller for a lunar intercept than a Mars intercept. Has anyone got numbers for this?

lmm 10y ago
Dragon doesn't have enough delta-V to land on the moon. The plan for a Mars landing is to use it as a lifting body to keep it above the ground for long enough to shed most of its velocity.
- exDM69 10y ago
  Yes, GP said that already but I'm after the numbers here. How much delta-v the Dragon has? And what are the approximate requirements for Moon vs. Mars landing?
  - Symmetry 10y ago
    The Dragon 2 has about 1.6 km/s. Apollo had 2.47 km/s to land and 2.22 km/s to take off. Oh, and it would take on the order of 4.5 km/s to take off from Mars and maybe a few hundred to land.
    - exDM69 10y ago
      Thanks! These numbers look reasonable to me. Can you provide a link to source (s)? I'd like to read some more...
- dalke 10y ago
  I've read various statements which say that Dragon can land on the Moon, such as http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/mars-ahead-spacex-unveils-dragon-v2-capsule-astronaut-trips-n118116 http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/mars-ahead-spacex-unvei... : > Musk has said a fully loaded Dragon could even be sent to make a touchdown on the moon or Mars or https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/04/spacex-debut-red-dragon-2018-mars-mission/ https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/04/spacex-debut-red-dra... : > “With Dragon launched on a Falcon Heavy, it can go pretty much anywhere in the solar system, because that’s a heck of a big rocket,” he continued. > “Dragon, with the heat shield, parachutes and propulsive landing capability, is able to land on a planet that has higher entry heating, like Mars. It can also land on the Moon, or potentially conduct a Europa mission.” How does that fit with the statement "Dragon doesn't have enough delta-V to land on the moon"?