Aero Braking An Orion’s Arm future history image. Mars Settlement Lander breaching the Martian atmospheric interface. Presently I am at work on an image depicting a broad swath of the Martian settler’s landing site, with numerous landing craft, temporary habitats, surface vehicles, crews at work on settlement construction, and more [now rendering image layer number 6 (with several more in process) and miles of post-work to go]. In the interest of continuity it seemed appropriate to re-post my re-envisioned Aero Braking image. Entry, Descent, and Landing: A ten thousand ton payload, while well within the capability of Orion to loft and deliver, is well beyond the capacity of any parachute design; after aero braking the vehicle transitions to a two-stage powered descent mode: primary powered descent is accomplished via 4 Open-Cycle GCNTR (Gas Core Nuclear Thermal Rockets – disposed of along with the aero-shell and heat shield once the vehicles is sub-mach) terminal powered descent to touch-down is accomplished via 7 F-1 equivalent chemical rockets. This sequence of images depict events around the Year Zero mark on my future history timeline – see link below. Future History Timeline Context Link: Orion’s Arm Future History Timeline. Related Images: Terminus of an Arc Orion Launch Vehicle Final Assembly Right Before Mars Settlement Project Orion Launch Syria Planum Landing Image Composition Notes: Plasma fireball effects painted in post-work. Mars surface and atmospheric background uses elements cropped and blended from NASA/JPL images (including MRO, Spirit and Opportunity images) in order to create a unique Mars surface texture which reflects the general character and surface features of Mars as seen from low orbit. Texture image sources Courtesy NASA/JPL. All models are my own Bryce creations. As always thank you for your interest, thoughtful comments, and encouragement.