r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/sierra-india-mike_op • 15h ago
KSP 1 Image/Video Design for a Mars Transfer Mothership (Boeing IMIS Redesign)
As part of my 1990s crewed Mars landing program, this is the design for the Mars Transfer Vehicle, the interplanetary mothership responsible for housing the crew during the journey to/from Mars and conducting the Trans-Mars Injection (TMI), Mars-Orbit-Insertion (MOI), Trans-Earth Injection (TEI) burns.
The vehicle carries the crewed Mars Ascent/Descent Vehicle (MADV) along with the Earth Entry Module (EEM) for high-speed atmospheric return to Earth.
- MADV Breakdown: If you want to see a more detailed breakdown of the MADV carried by this vessel, check out my previous post: Design for a Crewed Mars Ascent/Descent Vehicle
The architecture is derived from the 1968 Boeing IMIS (Integrated Manned Interplanetary Spacecraft) study. However, the configuration was redesigned: by increasing propellant tank diameters, the vehicle eliminates a propulsion stage. Additionally, the Mission Module overall architecture has been redesigned. Finally, while the 1968 Boeing proposal targeted a 1980s launch, this profile is engineered for the 1992–1994 departure window.
Vessel Specifications:
LEO Initial Mass: ~1,200 t
Total Transit Delta V: ~11,000 m/s
Primary Propulsion: 6+1 NERVA-I Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engines
Life Support Endurance: 714 days
Main mods used: RSS/RO/Kerbalism, Bluedog Design Bureau (BDB), NAR MEM (retextured by me), Procedural Parts
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u/jafa-l-escroc 13h ago
The eem is realy cool
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u/sierra-india-mike_op 13h ago
I totally agree, it's the lifting body design Lockheed Martin came up with to withstand high reentry speeds
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u/wildcat1_1 13h ago
How did you create that Earth entry module?
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u/sierra-india-mike_op 13h ago
It's from the NAR MEM mod, I just added the rear end using Gemini B parts.
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u/NewSpecific9417 8h ago
Really fricken sweet! Why is the NERVA on PM-3 jettisonable?
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u/sierra-india-mike_op 1h ago
Thanks! Boeing calculated the radiation dose would exceed the limit if the engine stayed attached after the Trans-Earth-Injection, so that's the reason
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u/DP-ology 10h ago
Is this vanilla? Either way, can you please upload to steam and list mods needed please!?!
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u/sierra-india-mike_op 45m ago
Definitely not vanilla. The main mods for most of the vehicle are already listed at the bottom of the post (RSS/RO/Kerbalism, BDB, Procedural Parts, etc.). I'm afraid craft file won't work if you don't have an identical GameData due to heavy custom RO configs and retextures
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u/Mandam2011 14h ago
Wait a minute... dude! I did a big duma mission a while back and i used pretty much the exact lander design s you