Comments on: Thales Alenia ships the orbit insertion module for the Mars sample return mission https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/thales-alenia-ships-the-orbit-insertion-module-for-the-mars-sample-return-mission/ Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:38:15 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Jeff Wright https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/thales-alenia-ships-the-orbit-insertion-module-for-the-mars-sample-return-mission/#comment-1624832 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:38:15 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=115912#comment-1624832 Mass fraction for all propulsive descent… 2.5% ?
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=18387.msg686023#msg686023

A counter-intuitive observation
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=18387.msg581936#msg581936

See the posts below that for other ideas

Now Starship is to have high-thrust…and Musk simply wants to use exhaust as a heat shield…but is Starship as good as Shuttle SERV for that?

With SuperHeavy, you see something like Mach cones forming….ight Starship need lots more nozzles for Mars.

There has never been a rocket designed for retropropulsion, just regular streamlining and hoping the exhaust plume doesn’t bifurcate.

The hexanitrogen… maybe it can eliminate the need for heat shields.

Imagine I build a rocket like the Cosmostrator, or the Ark Rocket from SKY CAPTAIN.

The core bottom has the payload…a bullet nose…but engines on Valier pods–think Osprey or quad rotor drones

On return, the pods can’t in such a way as to form a plume best for slowing. The pods have TPS…the rest of the rocket doesn’t.

Do-able?

]]> By: Jeff Wright https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/thales-alenia-ships-the-orbit-insertion-module-for-the-mars-sample-return-mission/#comment-1613463 Fri, 01 Aug 2025 20:07:51 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=115912#comment-1613463 This is the first time we have had de facto probes at the ready.

Oumuamua needs an RTG, but if we find another interstellar object, we might have a chance with these solar powered craft.

]]> By: Richard M https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/thales-alenia-ships-the-orbit-insertion-module-for-the-mars-sample-return-mission/#comment-1613034 Wed, 30 Jul 2025 20:19:52 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=115912#comment-1613034 I remain firm in my hope that the NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return is cancelled. But I have to think there will be some opportunity for Thales Alenia’s orbit insertion module to find a use for a mission at Mars. Perhaps even a commercial mission?

]]> By: Jeff Wright https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/thales-alenia-ships-the-orbit-insertion-module-for-the-mars-sample-return-mission/#comment-1613017 Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:10:45 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=115912#comment-1613017 Perhaps this and Janus could be repurposed as asteroid or comet probes on short notice just in case another transient event takes place.

Congress looks to want to save MSR, but having craft intercept the next interstellar object is more worthwhile….Mars and those samples aren’t going anywhere.

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