Phase II Final Report - NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts

Planetary Exploration Using Biomimetics
An Entomopter for Flight on Mars
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Pressure Storage, Dynamic Power
Pressure Storage PV Power
Cryogenic Storage, Dynamic Power
Cryogenic Storage, PV Power
Direct H2O2 Storage
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Total Fuel Sys tem Mas s (kg)
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Mission Duration (days)
Figure 3-167: Total Fuel System Mass as a Function of Mission Duration
From these results, it is obvious that, for short and moderate mission duration, it is better to carry
the fuel directly in a tank instead of trying to manufacture it. If a mission duration of a year or
longer is proposed, then producing the fuel on Mars may have an advantage.
If fuel is brought directly from Earth, additional, more energetic fuels too difficult to manufacture
on Mars could be considered. This analysis looked only at hydrogen peroxide because it
would be one of the easier fuels to manufacture on Mars and the objective of the analysis was to
determine if there is an advantage to producing fuel there. By utilizing another type of fuel that
provides more energy per volume than hydrogen peroxide, however, the performance of the
Entomopter vehicle may be enhanced.
3.6 Power System
Although the Entomopter engine provides the power to propel the vehicle, electric power is still
needed to run communications and science equipment. If the vehicle is to be used for repeated
missions, this power system would need to be rechargeable or have the ability to produce power
for extended periods of time. Systems that may be able to meet this requirement are the following:
• Photovoltaic/Battery System
• Thermoelectric Generator
• Linear Alternator
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Phase II Final Report