Mars Ship

This is my concept of a ship for a mission from The Moon to Mars. It is designed to be built and launched from lunar orbit. It features 4 main ion engines and 4 chemical rockets. These secondary engines are for the bridge section which is also a self-contained shuttle for emergencies and is suitable for atmospheric entry. The ship also features a deployable solar sail as a backup for the main ion engines which could be used in the event of engine failure or to conserve fuel.

There is a gravitational ring which features pods for various uses including sleeping, cooking, eating, exercise and scientific experiments. A large hydroponic section can be found between the ring and bridge which also acts as an observation deck. Here, algae and other plants are grown to provide oxygen for the crew and for scientific experiments.

The large cargo bay houses supplies, vehicles and a large reel for the cabling of a space elevator. for transporting supplies and personnel.