ISS as Mars vehicle

From: Kent Paul Dolan (xanthian_at_well.com)
Date: 12/12/04 

To: sci-space-tech@moderators.isc.org
Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 00:33:28 +0000 (UTC)

I'm guessing this has been discussed before, but
with the new initiatives on solar sails and ion
propulsion drives, humor me anyway.

As opposed to trying to orbit and proof an entire
new Mars mission from scratch, what would be the
benefits and disbenefits of adding stuff to the ISS,
dragging it all off to Mars using a continuous
propulsion system of one sort or other (or perhaps
several), and using it like the lunar orbiter as a
staging base to and from the Mars surface?

The main advantages I can see is that it is already a
known-to-be-functional long time habitat for humans,
and that it is a huge amount of mass already much of
the way out of the gravity Earth's well.

But, is it strong enough to survive being shoved?

Is it reliable enough not to need the possibility of
a quick rescue everytime someone miscalculates the
inhabitant's appetites?

Consider also building up from the present
capability to include such needed stuff as
self-sufficient hydroponics and full waste
recycling, with a long term _intention_ of shoving
the whole mess, once it can serve, as a planet to
planet "wanderer" (pun very much intended).

Mars need not be the final destination, either, it
could just be a staging and fuel / propulsive mass
replenishing waystation to Europa or Titan, say, or
a dropoff point for one research staff of several,
with eventual pickup and return intended for all.

xanthian. 

-- 
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