Contract Award
17 April, 1976 (HOUSTON) — The National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced this morning that it has awarded the contract for construction of the Mars Exploration Module (MEM) to Rockwell International of Downey, California.
Three other companies, Boeing, General Dynamics’ Convair Division and Grumman; the company who designed and built the Apollo Lunar Lander, were shortlisted after nine responded to NASA’s Request for Proposals.
Rockwell International has significant experience in building manned space vehicles, including the Apollo Command and Service Module, which flew astronauts to the moon and now transports crew and supplies to Skylab II, and the S-II stage of the Saturn V. The company is also expected to produce parts of the injection boosters for the Ares programme.
Commenting on the announcement, NASA Administrator James Fletcher said:
“Rockwell’s knowledge and experience will be central to the nation’s effort to travel to Mars. Their proposed lander combines proven design with advanced propulsion, guidance and navigation technology. We are confident that this design is realistic and can meet expected schedule and budget demands.”
Rockwell’s proposal is a 29 foot tall cone shaped vehicle that will weigh almost 60 tons when it reaches Mars. On atmospheric entry it will be slowed by ballutes, before its descent stage — a 140,000lbf engine fuelled by Flourine, liquid oxygen and methane, ignites for a soft landing. It will have provision for four crew for a thirty day stay on Mars, before a smaller engine returns the crew and vehicle to Martian orbit.
The comprehensive research, development and test programme required before the MEM reaches Mars is expected to start next month, and a draft NASA schedule suggests a first manned flight in 1980.
