Mars in a month, my ideas

[chriscdc]

I've been thinking about this since the new scientist article came out. It would be interesting from a space ship design point of view. You could have a large plate on the back covered in the paint. <br /><br />Once the plate fuel is used the plate could open up to display a large number of solar sales. Then to avoid needing fuel to slow down, you would close the plate again and use it as a aero brake in the mars atmosphere.<br /><br />You could have the entire structure spinning and thus providing artificial G. Have 3 transhabs right against the plate with the lander further along and finally a nuclear power plant. Or the plate could be used as a re-entry shield and the entire craft could be landed and act a base.