Construction of an International Space Vehicle Using the Space Station Dan Roukos ASTE 527 December 15, 2009

USC The Present Approach Single spacecraft to launch, travel, land, and re-enterSingle 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 baseManned lunar base Mars landingMars landing Asteroids and NEOsAsteroids and NEOs

USC Pressurized Volume Credit: Marc H. Cohen – Testing the Celentano Curve

USC What ISS Represents A spacecraft integrated in spaceA spacecraft integrated in space –Does not need to survive reentry –Optimized for survival in space Large habitable volumeLarge habitable volume Recycling life supportRecycling life support The path to permanent human presenceThe path to permanent human presence –An endurance mission –More time for mission activity –The methods to survive and thrive International collaborationInternational collaboration Can this design can be evolved to support travel beyond LEO?Can this design can be evolved to support travel beyond LEO?

USC 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

USC The International Space Vehicle (ISV)The International Space Vehicle (ISV) –Built from ISS using the same methods already developed Optimized for space exploration and enduranceOptimized 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:Capability: –Manned missions to the moon Lunar outpost supportLunar outpost support –Manned missions to NEOs –Manned Missions to Mars A New Exploration Architecture

USC Primary Modules and Docking Altair Lander Orion capsule 3x Secondary Module Primary Module Robotic Arm Docking Node

USC Counter rotating module sets create artificial gravity in 8 modulesCounter rotating module sets create artificial gravity in 8 modules Modules serve:Modules serve: –Food production –Composting –Living –Recreation –Exercise Angular momentum used to help stabilize the S/CAngular momentum used to help stabilize the S/C Number of AG modules can be configured to mission requirementsNumber of AG modules can be configured to mission requirements Artificial Gravity Modules

USC Environmental Room Transparent Floor Light Column 3X Hydroponic Trough Artificial Gravity Vector Greenhouse Module 4x Greenhouse modules and 2x composters can provide for a crew of 4:4x Greenhouse modules and 2x composters can provide for a crew of 4: –100% air recycling –100% water recycling –50% caloric intake Design modified fromDesign modified from Patterson and Sadler design of lunar greenhouse (University of Arizona)

USC Nuclear Rockets and EPS 2X Prop Tanks RTG Power Module Radiators Thermal Shield Nuclear Thermal Rocket Module Truss Structure Truss can be lengthened per radiation shielding requirements

USC Nuclear Thermal Rocket Significant development in 1960s to ~TRL 7Significant development in 1960s to ~TRL 7 Demonstrated ISP > 900Demonstrated ISP > 900 Thrust from 25,000 lbs to 210,000 lbsThrust from 25,000 lbs to 210,000 lbs 60 restarts with 10 hours of operation60 restarts with 10 hours of operation Credit: Ernest Robinson

USC ISV Build Sequence Primary Module and Docking Node ISS Node 3 with pressurized docking port

USC Integration of 3x secondary modules Vehicle docked to ISS Integration of 2x rotating nodes Integration of 8x AG modules Run artificial gravity test program 0-5 year timeline ISV Build Sequence

USC Integration of thermal shield Integrate power module Build up truss Segment Integrate and certify tank/prop system Integration of nuclear rocket Connect prop system Integration of radiator panels 5-10 year timeline ISV Build Sequence

USC ISV Build Sequence

USC Merits and Opportunity Long duration manned presence at mission destinationsLong duration manned presence at mission destinations –Moon –NEOs –Mars Teaches us the methods to survive and thriveTeaches us the methods to survive and thrive ISV program to drive development of key technologiesISV program to drive development of key technologies –Artificial Gravity –Closed loop life support –Nuclear thermal rockets Increased international collaborationIncreased international collaboration –International participation by sending two foreign astronauts to lunar surface Self replicating platformSelf replicating platform –ISV can be used to construct ISV 2.0

USC Risks and Limitation Aggressive technology incorporationAggressive technology incorporation ISV will require lengthy servicing in LEO between missionsISV will require lengthy servicing in LEO between missions Long build durationLong build duration –Opportunity cost in ISS utilization Single point failureSingle point failure

USC 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

USC Backup - ISS