1. Propellant Depot Bernard Kutter United Launch Alliance
AIAA_JPC080309
Copyright © 2009 United Launch Alliance, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

2. Propellant Depots Enable New Missions
Lunar Surface
Prop
Transfer
Solar Probe + Pluto NH
Dual-Launch
with Depot
Trans Mars or GSO
Atlas 551
Large Missions Enabled without Developing Brand New Rocket
Atlas 552
Delta IV
Heavy

3. Depots Can Enhance CxP Ares V Architecture
Lunar Payload Increase
With Cryo Transfer (mT)
EDS Propellant Mass Beyond ESAS Baseline (mT)
Prop
Xfer
Filling EDS beyond ESAS baseline significantly increases lunar delivered payload
EDS is half full in LEO for ESAS
Accommodates mission delays or high cryo boil-off
Centaur experience shows boil-off variation of factor of 2
Additional propellant launches can replenish cryo propellants
Launched empty, LSAM can be very light enhancing exploration
Propellant Depots Provide Exploration Flexibility to Accommodate Performance Needs
EDS/Altair
Orion

4. Depots Enable Alternate Architectures
Lunar Orbit
Rendezvous
123126
Propellant Depot
80% of Launch Mass
Propellant
Transfer
Propellant
Transfer
Propellant depots offer new paradigm.
Inherently flexible, readily incorporate future innovation and mission changes.
Atlas V 402
Altair
Commercial
Orion
Atlas V
Delta IV
Scorpius
Falcon 9
110t Competitive Propellant Launch

5. Propellant Depots Can Revolutionize Launch Market
Exploration Represents Vast New Launch Market
Depots Stimulate Competitive Launch Market
Supports Robust Healthy US Launch Industry
CxP Hardware
LEO Launch Mass (mT)
CxP Propellant
Historic Non-Shuttle/Exploration Launch Market
Annual Lunar Missions

6. Upper Stage Experience Enables Depots
Depots Derived from Existing Upper Stages Support Near-Term Application
Centaur-Derived “Disposable” Depot
Historic Space Station Depot Paradigm
Single Fluid Depot

7. Depot Technologies are Mature
Upper Stage Cryo-Fluid Management Directly Applicable to Propellant Depots
Cryo Transfer Technology
TRL
0-G
Settled
Pressure Control 4 9
Ullage & Liquid Stratification 3
Propellant Acquisition
Mass Gauging
Propellant Expulsion Efficiency 8
System Chilldown
AR&D 7
Transfer System Operation 6
Fluid Coupling
Passive Long Duration Storage 5
ULA
800
600
Cryo-Upper Stage Operating Time (ksec)
400
200
Centaur
Delta
Ariane 6

8. Summary Propellant Depots Create Vast New Launch Market
Stimulate Commercial Space Flight Capability
Increased Launch Demand Supports Healthy Robust Launch Industry
Joint Utilization of Flight-Proven Systems by NASA, DoD & Commercial Provides a Safe, Affordable & Sustainable Approach to Exploration
Leverages Existing Investments & Reduces Annual Standalone Lien
Atlas V & Delta IV Provide Proven Foundation for Reliable, Affordable & Sustainable Launch
Reduced Launch Vehicle Investment Allows Enhanced Investment in Innovation
ULA is Prepared to Support the NASA & the Nation