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Construction of an International Space Vehicle Using the Space Station Dan Roukos Dan.Roukos@gmail.com ASTE 527 December 15, 2009. The Present Approach. Single spacecraft to launch, travel, land, and re-enter Effective and simple for short missions Historical success - moon landings
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Construction of an International Space Vehicle Using the Space Station Dan Roukos Dan.Roukos@gmail.com ASTE 527 December 15, 2009
The Present Approach • Single spacecraft to launch, travel, land, and re-enter • Effective and simple for short missions • Historical success - moon landings • May not support extended and permanent human presence in space • Ineffective for long duration missions • Manned lunar base • Mars landing • Asteroids and NEOs
Pressurized Volume Credit: Marc H. Cohen – Testing the Celentano Curve
What ISS Represents • A spacecraft integrated in space • Does not need to survive reentry • Optimized for survival in space • Large habitable volume • Recycling life support • The path to permanent human presence • An endurance mission • More time for mission activity • The methods to survive and thrive • International collaboration • Can this design can be evolved to support travel beyond LEO?
A New Exploration Architecture “For these long-duration missions, we need an entirely new spacecraft that I call the Exploration Module, or XM. Unlike the Orion capsule, which is designed for short flights around the Earth and to the moon, the XM would contain the radiation shields, artificial gravity, food-production and recycling facilities necessary for a spaceflight of up to three years.” ~Buzz Aldrin
A New Exploration Architecture • The International Space Vehicle (ISV) • Built from ISS using the same methods already developed • Optimized for space exploration and endurance • Radiation shields • Food production • 3 year closed loop systems • Nuclear power • Artificial gravity • Large Habitable Volume • International Crew of 4 • Capability: • Manned missions to the moon • Lunar outpost support • Manned missions to NEOs • Manned Missions to Mars
Primary Modules and Docking Robotic Arm 3x Secondary Module Primary Module Docking Node Altair Lander Orion capsule
Artificial Gravity Modules • Counter rotating module sets create artificial gravity in 8 modules • Modules serve: • Food production • Composting • Living • Recreation • Exercise • Angular momentum used to help stabilize the S/C • Number of AG modules can be configured to mission requirements
Greenhouse Module • 4x Greenhouse modules and 2x composters can provide for a crew of 4: • 100% air recycling • 100% water recycling • 50% caloric intake • Design modified from Patterson and Sadler design of lunar greenhouse (University of Arizona) Environmental Room Transparent Floor Light Column Artificial Gravity Vector 3X Hydroponic Trough
Nuclear Rockets and EPS Radiators 2X Prop Tanks Truss Structure Truss can be lengthened per radiation shielding requirements Thermal Shield RTG Power Module Nuclear Thermal Rocket Module
Nuclear Thermal Rocket • Significant development in 1960s to ~TRL 7 • Demonstrated ISP > 900 • Thrust from 25,000 lbs to 210,000 lbs • 60 restarts with 10 hours of operation Credit: Ernest Robinson
ISV Build Sequence ISS Node 3 with pressurized docking port Primary Module and Docking Node
ISV Build Sequence 0-5 year timeline Integration of 3x secondary modules Integration of 2x rotating nodes Integration of 8x AG modules Run artificial gravity test program Vehicle docked to ISS
ISV Build Sequence 5-10 year timeline Integration of radiator panels Integration of nuclear rocket Connect prop system Build up truss Segment Integrate and certify tank/prop system Integration of thermal shield Integrate power module
Merits and Opportunity • Long duration manned presence at mission destinations • Moon • NEOs • Mars • Teaches us the methods to survive and thrive • ISV program to drive development of key technologies • Artificial Gravity • Closed loop life support • Nuclear thermal rockets • Increased international collaboration • International participation by sending two foreign astronauts to lunar surface • Self replicating platform • ISV can be used to construct ISV 2.0
Risks and Limitation • Aggressive technology incorporation • ISV will require lengthy servicing in LEO between missions • Long build duration • Opportunity cost in ISS utilization • Single point failure
The Path Forward “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept...” ~ JFK