Construction Details
The construction of the Ion Propulsion platform on Mars represents a major advancement in space technology, as it introduces argon as the primary fuel for the first time. This shift to argon powers the entire system, providing sustained thrust and enabling long-distance missions. The launchpad integrates multiple systems that work together to ensure efficient fueling, energy distribution, and thermal management, all tailored to the specific demands of the Martian environment. Built with advanced materials and precision engineering, the platform is capable of handling the complexities of interplanetary launches.
Operationally, the platform brings together robust external support systems like cooling mechanisms and stabilization structures, ensuring smooth and secure launches. The introduction of argon as fuel increases efficiency, allowing for longer missions beyond Mars to Jupiter, Saturn, and their moons. This platform represents a critical step in space exploration, facilitating humanity’s journey deeper into the solar system with a more sustainable and advanced propulsion system. Global Yield: 10% A 10% share of the resources produced by districts accessed via the Ion Propulsion Rocket will be allocated to the builders and maintainers of the launchpad.
4001
Fueling Umbilical Assembly
FUA
Provides fuel to the rocket through retractable arms.
Inner Circle
Aluminum
Silicon
Argon
1.90%
12,000,000
6,000,000
6,000,000
4002
Power Distribution Hub
PDHUB
Central unit distributing power to the rocket and other launch systems.
Inner Circle
Aluminum
Silicon
Helium-3
1.60%
10,500,000
5,250,000
5,250,000
4003
Thermal Management System
TMS
Regulates temperature during pre-launch, ensuring systems remain within operational limits.
Inner Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
1.40%
9,750,000
4,875,000
4,875,000
4004
Rocket Gantry
RGANTRY
Support structure that stabilizes the rocket vertically, retracts during launch.
Inner Circle
Titanium
Carbon
Helium-3
2.00%
12,750,000
6,375,000
6,375,000
4005
Propellant Loading Dock
PLDOCK
Facilitates the loading of propellant into the rocket tanks.
Inner Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Argon
1.90%
12,000,000
6,000,000
6,000,000
4006
Ignition Sequence Controller
IGCTRL
Manages the sequence of ignition commands for a smooth launch process.
Inner Circle
Silicon
Carbon
Helium-3
2.20%
13,500,000
6,750,000
6,750,000
4007
Command Interface Terminal
CINTERM
The central command interface for controlling the launch procedures.
Inner Circle
Silicon
Aluminum
Helium-3
1.70%
11,250,000
5,625,000
5,625,000
4008
Rocket Cooling Ducts
COOLDUCT
Channels that direct cool air or liquid to the rocket engines before and during launch.
Inner Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
1.40%
9,750,000
4,875,000
4,875,000
4009
Launch Clamps
LCLAMPS
Mechanical clamps that hold the rocket securely on the platform until ignition.
Inner Circle
Titanium
Carbon
Helium-3
1.70%
11,250,000
5,625,000
5,625,000
4010
Stabilization Gyroscopes
STABGYRO
Gyroscopes that help maintain the rocket's stability during initial lift-off.
Inner Circle
Titanium
Silicon
Helium-3
2.00%
12,750,000
6,375,000
6,375,000
4011
Maintenance Bay I
MBAY I
Maintenance bay for housing tools, equipment, or vehicles.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
1.60%
10,500,000
5,250,000
5,250,000
4012
Maintenance Bay II
MBAY II
Additional maintenance bay for redundancy and accessibility.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
1.60%
10,500,000
5,250,000
5,250,000
4013
Exhaust Venting System
EXVENT
Directs exhaust gases away from the platform during rocket ignition.
Outer Circle
Carbon
Aluminum
Helium-3
1.70%
22,500,000
11,250,000
5,625,000
4014
Cooling Channels
COOLCHAN
Network of channels that circulates coolant to manage heat across the platform.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
1.40%
19,500,000
9,750,000
4,875,000
4015
Launch Lighting Array
LLA
High-intensity lights that illuminate the launch area.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Silicon
Helium-3
1.10%
16,500,000
8,250,000
4,125,000
4016
Safety Barrier Mechanisms
SBMECH
Deploys physical barriers to protect nearby areas during launch.
Outer Circle
Carbon
Aluminum
Helium-3
1.40%
19,500,000
9,750,000
4,875,000
4017
Environmental Control Systems
ENVCTRL
Controls environmental conditions, such as temperature and pressure, across the platform.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
1.90%
19,500,000
9,750,000
4,875,000
4018
Emergency Ejection Mechanism
EJEMECH
System designed to safely eject personnel or equipment in case of emergencies.
Outer Circle
Titanium
Carbon
Helium-3
2.80%
28,500,000
14,250,000
7,125,000
4019
Fuel Transfer Pipelines
FTPIPES
Pipelines that transfer fuel from storage tanks to the rocket.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Silicon
Argon
2.40%
24,000,000
12,000,000
6,000,000
4020
Emergency Power Generators
EPGEN
Backup power generators that supply energy in case of power failure.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
2.20%
22,500,000
11,250,000
5,625,000
4021
Secure Access Gates
SACCGATE
Gates that control access to the platform, ensuring only authorized personnel are present.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
1.90%
19,500,000
9,750,000
4,875,000
4022
Crew Preparation Room
CREWPREP
Dedicated room where the crew prepares before launch, including final checks and suit-up.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
2.40%
24,000,000
12,000,000
6,000,000
4023
Exhaust Ventilation System
EXVENTALT
Alternative exhaust system that provides additional venting capacity during intense launches.
Outer Circle
Carbon
Silicon
Helium-3
2.20%
22,500,000
11,250,000
5,625,000
4024
Auxiliary Cooling Channels
AUXCOOLCHAN
Backup coolant channels that activate if primary systems overheat during extended launch phases.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
1.90%
19,500,000
9,750,000
4,875,000
4025
Emergency Lighting Array
EMERLLA
Secondary lighting array that activates during emergency launch procedures, ensuring visibility.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Silicon
Helium-3
1.60%
16,500,000
8,250,000
4,125,000
4026
Shock Absorption System
SHOCKABS
Absorbs vibrations and shocks during rocket ignition, protecting both rocket and platform.
Outer Circle
Carbon
Silicon
Helium-3
2.40%
24,000,000
12,000,000
6,000,000
4027
Retractable Service Arms
RSARMS
Arms that provide service and connections to the rocket, retracting before launch.
Outer Circle
Titanium
Aluminum
Helium-3
2.20%
22,500,000
11,250,000
5,625,000
4028
Platform Integrity Monitors
PLATMON
Sensors that monitor the structural integrity of the platform during launch.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Silicon
Helium-3
2.10%
21,000,000
10,500,000
5,250,000
4029
Central Launch Stabilizer
CLS
Central structure that holds the rocket in place during pre-launch and initial ignition.
Inner Circle
Titanium
Carbon
Helium-3
2.70%
27,000,000
13,500,000
6,750,000
4030
Entrance Track
INTRANS
Pathway used for the entrance of personnel and cargo onto the platform.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
1.80%
18,000,000
9,000,000
4,500,000
4031
Exit Track
EXIT
Pathway used for the exit of personnel and cargo from the platform.
Outer Circle
Aluminum
Carbon
Helium-3
1.80%
18,000,000
9,000,000
4,500,000
4032
Docking Module
DOCKMOD
Interface for docking with other spacecraft or space stations.
Nose Cone
Aluminum
Titanium
Helium-3
2.90%
19,500,000
9,750,000
9,750,000
4033
Payload Bay
PAYLOAD
Compartment for carrying cargo or scientific instruments.
Nose Cone
Aluminum
Titanium
Helium-3
2.30%
18,000,000
9,000,000
9,000,000
4034
Instrument Panel
INSPAN
Displays all the crucial data for the crew or autonomous systems.
Nose Cone
Silicon
REE
Helium-3
2.10%
16,500,000
8,250,000
8,250,000
4035
Navigation Module
NAVMOD
Controls the direction and trajectory of the rocket.
Nose Cone
Silicon
REE
Helium-3
2.40%
19,500,000
9,750,000
9,750,000
4036
Communication Array
COMARRAY
Ensures long-range communication with mission control.
Upper Body
Titanium
Silicon
Helium-3
2.60%
21,000,000
10,500,000
10,500,000
4037
Avionics Suite
AVSUITE
The suite of electronic systems for flight control and monitoring.
Upper Body
Silicon
REE
Helium-3
2.70%
22,500,000
11,250,000
11,250,000
4038
Life Support System
LIFESUP
Ensures the survival of the crew by providing air, water, and temperature control.
Midsection
Carbon
Silicon
Helium-3
2.90%
24,000,000
12,000,000
12,000,000
4039
Thermal Control System
TCSYS
Regulates the temperature within the propulsion system and other critical components.
Midsection
Carbon
REE
Helium-3
2.40%
19,500,000
9,750,000
9,750,000
4040
Reactor Core
REACTCORE
Generates the primary power for the ion propulsion system.
Midsection
Silicon
Carbon
Argon
3.30%
28,500,000
14,250,000
14,250,000
4041
Argon Fuel Tanks
AFTANK
Storage tanks for argon, the primary fuel for the ion propulsion system.
Engine Section
Carbon
REE
Argon
2.90%
24,000,000
12,000,000
12,000,000
4042
Propellant Ionizer
PROPION
Device that ionizes the argon fuel for the propulsion system.
Engine Section
Silicon
REE
Argon
3.00%
25,500,000
12,750,000
12,750,000
4043
Ion Accelerator
IONACCEL
Accelerates the ionized propellant to create thrust.
Engine Section
Titanium
REE
Argon
3.00%
25,500,000
12,750,000
12,750,000
4044
Main Engine Assembly
MENGINE
Primary thrust-providing engines for propulsion.
Engine Section
Titanium
Silicon
Argon
3.30%
28,500,000
14,250,000
14,250,000
4045
Propulsion Gimbal System I
PROPGBL I
Allows the engines to pivot and steer the spacecraft.
Engine Section
Titanium
Carbon
Argon
2.70%
22,500,000
11,250,000
11,250,000
4046
Propulsion Gimbal System II
PROPGBL II
Allows the engines to pivot and steer the spacecraft.
Engine Section
Titanium
Carbon
Argon
2.70%
22,500,000
11,250,000
11,250,000
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