EcKuntur (inflatable flying wing)

Have you ever wanted a rocket pack to soar amongst the sky? Now you can … on Mars… Gravity is less, atmospheric density is less, and the vistas are breathtaking. So come to Mars...

Buck Rogers aside, Mars is an interesting environment for out-of-this-world mobility options for an explorer. This challenge asks for the definition of a conceptual mobility solution to allow an astronaut to easily and rapidly explore Mars including overcoming obstacles such as cliffs, ravines and other difficult terrain. The solution should be person-portable and any means or source of propulsion be locally produced.

This challenge can be answered by:

• producing an app to simulate your adventures in building your jet pack and flying around Mars;
• produce an app that provides the local gravity, atmospheric conditions (density, weather, anything-else-of-interest) to help decide what is needed for your jet pack design;
• perform a feasibility/conceptual study of an actual jet pack design that could use potential Mars fuel sources; or Design and Demonstrate a model scale jet pack using hardware.

Taking in to account all of the considerations above, and in order to transport an astronaut, we’ve came to the solution of developing a “flying inflatable wing powered by electric ducted fans.” Basically, the astronaut whose weight is around 90kg on Earth and 34kg on Mars, bears his spacesuit with a weight of about 82kg on Earth and 31 kg on Mars and wing deflated, which has a very light structure, with a weight of around 20kg on Mars and 56kg on Earth. This flying wing will have the capability to be inflated by two compressors, located in the lower wing, and a tubular structure of carbon fiber that gives de support to keep the compressors in place and to provide structural rigidity, the fabrics of the wing will be made by Kevlar and latex. The propulsion system would consist of two electric ducted fans powered by graphene batteries, these fans will be capable of generating a thrust of 180kgf in total in the atmosphere of Mars with no less than a 150hp each. The energy would be delivered through graphene battery, which properties are high performance and capacity, which should provide enough energy for a flight of not less than 45min.

[1] http://www.clipcarbono.com/

[2] http://zoltek.com/carbonfiber/how-is-it-made/

[3] http://www.dupont.com/products-and-services/fabric...

[4] http://www.jethangar.com/Ducted Fans/df.html#10s

[5] http://www.ventilacion.us/productos-turbocentrifug...

[6] http://www.graphenano.com/es/aplicaciones/baterias

[7] http://www.celdassolaresflexibles.com/PowerFilm-So...

and others...