Aerospace Systems / Mission Design
Aegis Ice Base — Mars Outpost Mission Proposal
Overview
Developed a 27-page technical mission proposal for a long-duration human outpost on Mars through the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars program. My concept, Aegis Ice Base, proposed a Phase III base in Arcadia Planitia designed to support sustained human habitation, scientific research, and in-situ resource utilization using accessible subsurface ice.
I developed the mission architecture around major engineering constraints including habitat and life-support systems, power generation, communications, surface mobility, ISRU, crew operations, and system redundancy — along with a multi-phase mission timeline covering robotic precursor missions, cargo deployment, crew arrival, base construction, long-duration operations, and eventual crew return to Earth.
Mission Objective
Aegis Ice Base was developed as a long-duration Mars outpost concept capable of supporting sustained human habitation, scientific research, resource utilization, surface exploration, long-term base expansion, and repeated crew operations.
Site Selection
Selected Site: Arcadia Planitia
The site was selected based on:
- Accessible near-surface water ice
- Relatively smooth terrain
- Landing-site suitability
- Long-term expansion potential
- Support for in-situ resource utilization
Systems Considered
- Habitat systems
- Environmental control and life support
- Electrical power
- Communications
- Surface mobility
- Crew operations
- ISRU
- Logistics
- Mission redundancy
- Cargo deployment
- Radiation protection
Mission Architecture
- 1. Robotic precursor missions
- 2. Landing-site confirmation
- 3. Cargo and habitat deployment
- 4. Support-system delivery
- 5. First crew arrival
- 6. Base activation
- 7. Long-duration surface operations
- 8. Expansion by later crews
- 9. Scientific exploration and resource use
- 10. Eventual crew return
Risk Analysis
Major risks evaluated included:
- Radiation exposure
- Reduced gravity
- Martian dust
- Life-support failure
- Communications delay
- Long-duration isolation
- System reliability
Mitigation strategies were proposed for each major risk.
Skills
Gallery
