Kindly Note: This is a Daily Kos Series on a technical paper that I recently completed. To see a list of the other entries in this series, please click the link below. Thanks!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I | PART II | PART III
PHASE I OUTPOST
Image 1: Phase I outpost configuration
The test CM crew will be sent home, and the test CM itself will be replaced by the Phase I Expeditionary spacecraft configuration. It will consist of the same tCM1_04–04–46–4049 as the test CM, along with one Utility Vehicle (UV) and the two inchworm RCSs.
Additionally, the spacecraft will attach to a Garage that will hold various tools, hardware, spare parts, etc. that might be needed during their time in orbit. The UV will be situated in the middle, with the CM on top and the Garage on the bottom (Image 1) [Larger Image].
The spacecraft parts can easily fit into the RV cargo bay and has a mass that is well below the maximum capability (Table 1).
Crew Module |
4,049 |
kg |
Utility Vehicle |
5,217 |
kg |
Remote Manipulator System |
65 |
kg |
Remote Manipulator System |
65 |
kg |
Garage |
272 |
kg |
Tools, Spare Parts, etc. |
7,500 |
kg |
Total Payload Mass |
17,168 |
kg |
After the 4 astronauts have been transferred aboard, they will verify that all systems are "GO" and will now be ready to being the next phase of flight testing.
Their mission is to flight test the remaining four vehicles:
- Orbital Vehicle (OV)
- Propellant Module (PM)
- Lunar Vehicle (LV)
- Cislunar Vehicle (CV)
The OV will be the first vehicle sent to them for testing.
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OV FLIGHT TEST
Image 2: the Orbital Vehicle (OV)
An Orbital Vehicle (OV) will be brought up with the propellant tanks filled and ready to go (Image 2) [Larger Image]. The Phase I Outpost spacecraft will oversee the testing procedures.
The OV will be put through its paces, making sure that all the systems are nominal. Once the propellant tanks have been emptied, another OV will come up and replace it. The first OV will be thoroughly inspected on the ground for any abnormalities. Meanwhile, the second OV will attempt a high–altitude flight as a further demonstration of its capabilities.
Once all of these tests are complete, the OV may be classified as operational.
Image 3: A TDRS-K satellite stowed for launch
We now need to place our own Tracking and Data Relay System (TDRS) into place (we have been leasing time from other businesses since the beginning of the flight tests). Each satellite has a mass of 3,454 kg (Image 3).
A "kick motor" is needed to help place the satellite into the proper orbital altitude and inclination. The solid propellant kick motor will have a mass of 5,416 kg.
OV Payload = TDRS Mass + Kick Motor + Adapter
= 3454 + 5327 + 89
= 8,870 kg
Delta V Budget = Delta V There + Delta V Back
= 2.283 + 2.283
= 4.566 kps
Propellant Requirement = Propellant There + Propellant Back
= 8307 + 1548
= 9,855 kg
= 54.59% full
RV Launch Mass = OV + OV Propellant + OV Payload
= 2276 + 9855 + 8870
= 21,001 kg
One OV with 55% propellant with a kick motor attached plus one TDRS satellite will be brought up in one VentureStar flight. The Outpost crew will attach the satellite to the kick motor and send it on its way (Image 4) [Larger Image]. This TDRS "stack" will perform a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) burn where it will place the satellite/kick motor combo high enough to separate from the OV and the kick motor can do the change–of–plane and circularize burns, inserting the TDRS into a "Clarke Orbit," more commonly known as a Geostationary Orbit (GSO).
Image 4: TDRS with kick motor and adapter
The OV will return back to be replaced by another OV, another TDRS satellite, and another kick motor. The same procedure will then be done on the other two satellite combinations. With three satellites placed 120 degrees apart at GSO, we will have full coverage of our own telemetry.
Once all three TDRS satellites are in place, we can proceed to the next phase of testing.
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PM FLIGHT TEST
We now discover whether we can go to the Moon routinely or not. Without propellant transfer, we are bound to Earth orbit.
Image 5: The Propellant Module (PM)
The last OV that deposited the last TDRS satellite will remain in orbit while a Propellant Module (PM) is brought up (Image 5) [Larger Image].
After the PM refills the OV propellant tanks, the OV will flight test the propellant docking collars. The Outpost crew will note any anomalies, such as leaks. The PM will also attempt to refill the UVs as well.
If the PM performs nominally, then we get to go to the Moon. If not, we will still have our space program, but in an abbreviated form: Earth orbital only.
However, we will assume that everything will go smoothly.
Once all of these tests are complete, the PM may be classified as operational.
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LV FLIGHT TEST
Image 6: The Lunar Vehicle (LV)
Once the Propellant Module (PM) has been deemed operational, our assault on the Moon can finally begin.
First up is for the Outpost crew to receive the Lunar Vehicle (LV) and its associated Landing Gear Kit, both which should fit inside the VentureStar. The LV will not be filled with propellant for safety reasons. The Landing Gear Kit will fit inside of a Medium Cargo Container. The crew will then EVA to bolt on the landing gear and other assorted equipment (Image 6) [Larger Image].
After the LV gear has been secured into place, it will be filled will propellant from a PM and flight tested.
Once all of these tests are complete, the LV may be classified as operational.
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CV FLIGHT TEST
At the same time that the Lunar Vehicle (LV) is being assembled and flight tested, the Cislunar Vehicle (CV) will be brought up and assembled (Image 7) [Larger Image].
Image 7: The Cislunar Vehicle (CV)
The CV Core and all of the hardware to connect the CV Saddlebags together will fly on one VentureStar, while the two CV Saddlebags themselves fly on another VentureStar. The CV will not be loaded with propellant before going into space.
The CV should be assembled by the Outpost crew and ready for testing by the time the LV has completed its testing. The CV will be partially filled with propellant from PMs to test the ability to receive propellant, but to also pump the propellant into the CV Core tanks. Then we test the engines and all of the systems while under way.
The last flight test would involve totally filled propellant tanks.
Once all of these tests are complete, the CV may be classified as operational.