Possible Ways Towards A European Involvement In A Global Lunar Transportation And Service Architecture
- Paper number
IAC-07-A5.I.-A3.I.B.23
- Author
Mr. Philippe Berthe, EADS Astrium Space Transportation, France
- Coauthor
Mr. Philippe Augros, EADS Astrium Space Transportation, France
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Exploration of the Moon has met a major milestone in November 2006 when NASA presented the result of its Lunar Architecture study and its objective to build a permanently occupied lunar outpost as the core of its exploration endeavor. Europe has started the evaluation of its own lunar exploration architecture at national and ESA level and faces several alternatives, some of them being exclusive, which are reviewed in this paper: 1. Independent robotic exploration, with science of the Moon and science from the Moon 2. Participation to the lunar base by providing some of its elements, such as base modules, surface transport elements such as rovers or cranes 3. Participation to the lunar base through cargo logistics 4. Participation in transportation of crew to the lunar base. Options 1 and 3 appear are almost identical from transportation standpoint, requiring the same generic lunar lander with precise landing capability, and differing only by the type of payload: scientific packages or logistics container. Option 2 leads to a Columbus like scenario where Europe would supply one or more major elements, surface transport means, systems or subsystems of the future base in a bartering agreement. Option 4 requires either the development of a super heavy launcher or multiple Ariane 5 launches with a complex assembly scenario in LEO. It also involves a crew transportation system and a crew lunar lander in order to provide an alternate path to Moon providing a redundancy to the US Orion and LSAM. The creation of these alternative means would require an international cooperation with Russia and other partners and a change of paradigm in the way Europe allocates its interest into space activities. If Europe decides to start a human and robotic exploration of the Moon, the development of a high-precision automated lunar landing capability therefore seems an attractive option, since it is within European technical and financial capabilities while enabling both independent robotic exploration of the Moon and a significant logistics participation in the Moon outpost, or a combination of both, according to decisions to be taken at the beginning of next decade.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-A5.I.-A3.I.B.23.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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