Conceptual Design and Technology Roadmap for a Lunar Space Elevator
- Paper number
IAC-17,D4,3,11,x41337
- Author
Mr. Kaveh Razzaghi, Politecnico di Torino - Thales Alenia Space Italia, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Laurent Beauregard, Politecnico di Torino - Thales Alenia Space Italia, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Antonio Coelho, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Andrea Di Caro, Politecnico di Torino - Thales Alenia Space Italia, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Ryan Elliott, International Master SEEDS, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mrs. Valeria Fioravanti, Politecnico di Torino - Thales Alenia Space Italia, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Marco Jerome Gasparrini, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. William Gullotta, University of Leicester, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Calum Hervieu, Politecnico di Torino, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Sam HOOK, International Master SEEDS, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Ms. Silvy Suria Kerkar, University of Leicester, India
- Coauthor
Mr. Adam McSweeney, Politecnico di Torino, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Stefano Umberto Menini, Politecnico di Torino - Thales Alenia Space Italia, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Nitin Ramchand Lalwani, Politecnico di Torino - Thales Alenia Space Italia, Spain
- Coauthor
Mr. Christopher Barsoum, University of Leicester, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Anna Ross, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Ms. Livia Savioli, Politecnico di Torino - Thales Alenia Space Italia - ISAE Supaero Toulouse, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Benjamin Torn, Politecnico di Torino - Thales Alenia Space Italia, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Stefano Torresan, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. James Turton, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
- Year
2017
- Abstract
The idea of a space elevator to transport crew and payloads was first proposed by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in 1895. Since then, several different concepts have been suggested to realise an operational space elevator on Earth. These present numerous advantages and cost savings over traditional launch approaches but limitations of current materials, and foreseen operational and engineering complications question the feasibility of such designs in the near future. The Moon, however, may be the ideal place to realise the first space elevator, with its reduced gravity, and potentially resource rich environment. This paper is the culmination of six months of project work completed by a multidisciplinary team of 27 graduate students, from 10 different countries, as part of the ninth edition of the ‘SpacE Exploration and Development Systems’ (SEEDS) Master’s programme. The research activities of this paper relate to the post-2025 timeframe, where the architecture of a future cislunar station is known and has been derived by students from previous editions of the SEEDS programme and industry studies. Presented is an analysis of the design and utilisation of a lunar space elevator for payload and cargo transfers from a lunar surface base to the cislunar station. Detailed are trade off analyses, between traditional transportation systems and the lunar elevator concept, to clarify the necessity of such proposals to support the station’s maintenance and evolution. The building blocks of a conceptual lunar elevator architecture are proposed. Additionally, an analysis is presented regarding the elevator’s construction and operations, and the potential use of lunar resources to support its development. Finally, a technology roadmap is defined focused on the realisation of the lunar space elevator in the near future.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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