NASA: Design For Extreme Environments

RISD Advanced Studio: Design a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV)

Designed to ferry one commander, one pilot and two mission specialists from the surface of Mars back up to the rendez-vous with the mothership. The MAV is like a taxi in NASA's intricate return strategy for safe transit back to Earth. Over the course of the semester we had regular conferences with NASA astronauts and engineers. We followed the specifications and guidelines outlined in NASA's presentations in our own designs.

Mars Ascent Vehicle: The IOTA

Equipped to house four astronauts for a mission that could span from 16hrs - 5 days. The IOTA is designed to be compact, comfortable and to fully support the specific needs of the mission.