The 2033 Crew Mars Flyby Mission

Every 15 years, an Earth Mars alignment occurs that allows for a free return trajectory at Mars, which means no propulsive maneuver is required at Mars to effect an return to Earth. The vehicle swings by Mars and is thereafter on a path to intercept the Earth. This greatly reduces the energy requirements for the Earth-Mars in space stages, and allows for lighter stages and fewer launches than a stopover mission. With a trip time of 530 days, this 2033 crewed flyby mission could serve as a precursor to a later Mars surface mission. Only 4 elements are required; a long duration crew habitat, Earth return capsule, in-space stage and an Earth departure stage. Information on launch manifests, trajectories, transfer stages, operations, and challenges is presented for a crewed flight to Mars in the early 2030s.