Overview Problem Solution Advantages Disadvantages Conclusion

Problems Deep space exploration is difficult to initialize from Earth Lack of excitement in today’s space program Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface Courtesy of NASA Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface – Past Space Race John F. Kennedy Speech: May 26, 19611 Deadline: Within the decade Accomplished in 1969 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface – Past Mission Objectives: Beat the Russians Explore the Lunar Surface2 Surface Samples – Compositions, Resources, Minerals 20 kg of Lunar Samples Surveying Habitation Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface – Base Eric Burgess Outpost on Apollo’s Moon Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface – Base Establish a permanent base facility on the Lunar Surface Central Command Habitation Modules Research Facility Launch Facility Mining Facility Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface – Base Central Command Facility controlling day-to-day base operations Control of surface and L1 launch facilities Communication Station Earth Inbound/Outbound L1 Station Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface – Base Habitation Modules Housing personnel Water recycling Provision Storage Agriculture Physical fitness facility Equipment Storage Waste Management Energy – Solar Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface – Base Research Facility Low-gravity Laboratories Biological Laboratories Medical Facility Surface-material testing Laboratories Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface – Base Launch Facility Lunar surface launch platform Responsible for assembling and preparing launch vehicles for flight Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface - Base Mining Facility Bulk excavation of lunar resources for processing and utilization in base activities2 Base Maintenance and Repair Study and Experimentation Construction Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lagrange Points – History Collinear equilibrium points theorized by Leonard Euler 1772 – Joseph Lagrange showed the existence of 5 equilibrium points in a two-body gravitational field Lagrange further showed that the equilibrium points lie within the plane of rotation of the primary bodies Collinear points found to be unstable while the other two points were found to be stable The equilibrium points have come to be called Lagrange Points, or Libration Points Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lagrange Points – Figure Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lagrange Points – Figure Bishop, R.H. Autonomous Navigation for Libration Point Formation Flying Missions Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Halo Orbits – History An orbit by which an object may remain in close proximity to an equilibrium point Suggested around 1950 by Arthur C. Clarke for communication purposes Considered for use on Apollo 17 mission until the mission was altered Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Halo Orbits – Figure Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

L1 Station Configuration Launch platform at L1 Construction yard in halo orbit about L1 Capabilities Launch platform Must be able to perform deep-space launches Must be able to receive supplies from the Moon Construction Yard Must be capable of assembling deep-space vehicles Must be capable of performing maintenance on L1 station Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Transportation Need for transportation Types of vehicles Form Earth to Lunar colony In-between parts of colony Types of vehicles Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Transportation Actual Ferry Vessel Orbit Bishop, R.H. Autonomous Navigation for Libration Point Formation Flying Missions Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Transportation Simplified Ferry Vessel Orbit Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Transportation Earth Loading Phase Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Transportation Moon Loading Phase Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Transportation Moon to L1 Transfer Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Transportation Summary Ferry vessel Transports materials back and forth between the Earth and Moon Docking vessels Located at both primary bodies Dock with Ferry during the Ferry’s flyby with primaries Loads/unloads the Ferry Moon-to-L1 vessel Transports materials from Moon to L1 Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface – Advantages Permanent presence in space – further than LEO Secondary perspective for interplanetary observations and measurements Cost feasibility for interplanetary exploration (i.e. Mars)3 Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface – Advantages Advance Technology Lower long-term space expenditures Revitalize space program Promote manned interplanetary space exploration Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

L1 Advantages “A manned station at L1 could support an infrastructure expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit…”3 Proximity to bodies within the system4 Attractive for uses related to space missions Well-suited for applications such as gateway stations for launching deeper exploratory missions Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Lunar Surface - Disadvantages High Initial Cost5 Implementation Time Hostile Environment Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

L1 Disadvantages Unstable equilibrium position Difficulty in controlling the station Expense associated with fuel consumption Takes time to reach L1 from either of the primaries Emergencies may not be quickly solved Supplies may be delayed Crew transfers will be lengthy Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

Conclusion A lunar outpost should be built because: Space exploration will expand since a spacecraft launched from the lunar outpost can have a greater payload, size, and range than a spacecraft launched from within the Earth’s atmosphere The space program will be revitalized by giving future engineers something to look forward to The advancements to technology that will be necessary to the development of a lunar colony will greatly benefit the rest of humanity Problem * Solution * Advantages * Disadvantages * Conclusion

References 1"Apollo Program," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2003 http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 2Burgess, Eric. Outpost on Apollo’s Moon, New York Columbia University Press, New York, 1993. 3Bishop, R.H., Huxel, P.J., DeMars, K.J. Autonomous Navigation for Libration Point Formation Flying Missions. NRA-03-GSFC/AETD-01. Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin. August, 2003. 4Condon, G.L., Wilson, S., and Ranieri, C. L., “Performance Requirements and Kickstage Disposal Options For a Cislunar Gateway Station Transfer Vehicle,” NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX. 5Dunham, D.W., Farquhar, R.W. Libration Point Missions, 1978-2002. Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University. 2002. 6Mendell, Wendell W. (1996). “Lunar Base as a Precursor to Mars Exploration and Settlement,” NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/HumanExplore/Exploration/EXLibrary/DOCS/EIC040.HTML (6 October 2003). 7Boles, Walter W., Lunar Construction, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 1990.