2-4-2 Concept for manned missions to Mars

In a previous paper, a new scenario for human missions to Mars has been presented. It can be named the 2-4-2 concept. The idea is to minimize IMLEO and the payload on Mars with a crew of only two astronauts. There are two astronauts in each rocket at departure from Earth. They meet on Mars to form a team of four and the pairs are reconstituted for the return (2-4-2). In the previous study it was proposed an assembly in LEO. We propose now a different approach with several small vehicles sent to Mars at the same time. There is no need for LEO assembly and the landers are lighter thus facilitating entry descent and landing on mars.