ISRU Implications for Lunar and Martian Plume Effects

Abstract

Experiments, analyses, and simulations have shown that the engine exhaust\nplume of a Mars lander large enough for human spaceflight will create a deep\ncrater in the martian soil, blowing ejecta to approximately 1 km distance,\ndamaging the bottom of the lander with high-momentum rock impacts, and possibly\ntilting the lander as the excavated hole collapses to become a broad residual\ncrater upon engine cutoff. Because of this, we deem that we will not have\nadequate safety margins to land humans on Mars unless we robotically stabilize\nthe soil to form in situ landing pads prior to the mission. It will take a\nsignificant amount of time working in a harsh off-planet environment to develop\nand certify the new technologies and procedures for in situ landing pad\nconstruction. The only place to reasonably accomplish this is on the Moon.\n