Solar-electric powered to Mars
High above the Martian surface the crew of the solar-electric tug prepares the Mars lander for its descent. The UFO-shaped body up front is the inflated high-speed decelerator heat shield of the lander.
Solar Electric Mars Ship with Lander and Orion
The solar electric ship in Mars orbit is configured for a surface exploration mission. The Orion has been relocated to a lateral docking port to give way for the lander. The lander has deployed its mushroom-shaped inflatable heat shield and is ready for departure.
The crew habitat consits of two ISS-derived modules, with a utility tunnel in between to provide independent energy supply and heat managment.
The picture is dominated by the large solar wings providing power to the electric drive. The drive itself is at the end of the lightweight center truss. It consits of two fold-out panels with Hall thrusters, an energy management system and heat radiators.
Two chemical thrusters are located at the rear of the ship, to provide an inital kick for the return flight later on.