Dynetics HLS: Difference between revisions
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== Launch vehicle == |
== Launch vehicle == |
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The ALPACA is designed to be launched on [[United Launch Alliance|ULA's]] [[Vulcan Centaur]] rocket. Vulcan launches the full ALPACA vehicle including its twin external propellant drop tanks. Two more Vulcan launches transfer additional propellant from their [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur upper stages]] into the lander in [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=Dynetics to use in-space refueling for NASA lunar lander|url=https://spacenews.com/dynetics-to-use-in-space-refueling-for-nasa-lunar-lander/|access-date=2020-09-16|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US}}</ref> The ALPACA will then perform a translunar injection rocket burn maneuver to leave Earth orbit. Since the vehicle is still unmanned at this stage, a slow lunar transfer trajectory (travel time of up to three months) may be used in order to conserve propellant for the |
The ALPACA is designed to be launched on [[United Launch Alliance|ULA's]] [[Vulcan Centaur]] rocket. Vulcan launches the full ALPACA vehicle including its twin external propellant drop tanks. Two more Vulcan launches transfer additional propellant from their [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur upper stages]] into the lander in [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=Dynetics to use in-space refueling for NASA lunar lander|url=https://spacenews.com/dynetics-to-use-in-space-refueling-for-nasa-lunar-lander/|access-date=2020-09-16|website=SpaceNews|language=en-US}}</ref> The ALPACA will then perform a translunar injection rocket burn maneuver to leave Earth orbit. Since the vehicle is still unmanned at this stage, a slow lunar transfer trajectory (travel time of up to three months) may be used in order to conserve propellant for the crewed landing. Alternatively, if available, a [[Space Launch System|SLS Block 1B]] could launch the entire fully fueled lunar vehicle into lunar orbit using its [[Exploration Upper Stage]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=2020-08-19|title=Meet Dynetics, the company racing against SpaceX and Blue Origin to return astronauts to the moon|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/19/dynetics-racing-against-spacex-and-blue-origin-in-nasas-hls-program.html|access-date=2020-09-16|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref> |
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== Reusability == |
== Reusability == |
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Revision as of 22:26, 19 September 2020
| File:Dynetics Human Landing System.png A promotional render of the lunar lander | |
| Designer | Dynetics |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | US |
| Operator | Dynetics, Nasa |
| Applications | Crew and cargo lunar lander |
| Specifications | |
| Crew capacity | 2-4 |
| Power | Solar |
| Design life | 14-42 days |
| Production | |
| Status | Mockup phase |
| Built | 1 full scale mockup |
| Related spacecraft | |
| Derivatives | Crew / cargo variants |
The Dynetics Autonomous Logistics Platform for All-Moon Cargo Access (ALPACA) is a crewed lunar lander under development by Dynetics and Sierra Nevada Corporation as well as a multitude of subcontractors for NASA's Artemis Program.
It is the smallest of the three proposals being funded by NASA. It consists of a single main structure known as ALPACA and would rely on drop tanks to power a majority of the descent. The ALPACA would then ascend back into orbit and rendezvous with Orion or the Lunar Gateway. The ALPACA will also be used to deliver cargo such as ISRU technology, base modules and pressurized rovers to the surface.
Design
Crew compartment
The vehicle has a low crew cabin making ingress and egress very simple. The crew compartment also includes an integrated airlock to allow for easy EVA's without depressurizing the whole cabin. The crew cabin can be converted into a base module or a pressurized lunar rover. In September 2020 a full scale mockup of the lander was completed in order to test the interior layout and its ingress / egress capabilities.[1]
Launch vehicle
The ALPACA is designed to be launched on ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket. Vulcan launches the full ALPACA vehicle including its twin external propellant drop tanks. Two more Vulcan launches transfer additional propellant from their Centaur upper stages into the lander in LEO.[2] The ALPACA will then perform a translunar injection rocket burn maneuver to leave Earth orbit. Since the vehicle is still unmanned at this stage, a slow lunar transfer trajectory (travel time of up to three months) may be used in order to conserve propellant for the crewed landing. Alternatively, if available, a SLS Block 1B could launch the entire fully fueled lunar vehicle into lunar orbit using its Exploration Upper Stage.[3]
Reusability
The ALPACA is refueled in lunar orbit in two Vulcan Centaur flights. It is currently unknown if the expendable fuel tanks will be needed for each flight or if they will only be needed for the TLI burn from low earth orbit. The ALPACA can be reused for both manned lunar landings and autonomous cargo landings. The first ALPACA will be reused autonomously after its first manned landing as a proof of concept for NASA. In order to prevent boil-off, refueling and landing will take place in 2-3 week intervals. Long term, the ALPACA could be refueled from fuel created in-situ on the surface from lunar water ice. [2]
NASA technical review
The Dynetics HLS scored highest of the proposed landers in NASA's initial technical review. The biggest issue identified according to NASA is its advanced experimental thrust structure and that it could pose a threat to the development time as it relies on immature technology.[4][5]
See also
- Artemis Program
- SpaceX Starship
- Integrated Lander Vehicle
- Lunar Excursion Module
- Sierra Nevada Corporation
- Boeing Lunar Lander
References
- ^ Zafar, Ramish (2020-09-15). "Dynetics, SpaceX's Starship Competitor, Shows Off Lunar Lander Mockup". Wccftech. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ^ a b "Dynetics to use in-space refueling for NASA lunar lander". SpaceNews. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ^ Sheetz, Michael (2020-08-19). "Meet Dynetics, the company racing against SpaceX and Blue Origin to return astronauts to the moon". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ^ Mahoney, Erin (2020-04-30). "NASA Selects Blue Origin, Dynetics, SpaceX for Artemis Human Landers". NASA. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ Sheetz, Michael (2020-08-19). "Meet Dynetics, the company racing against SpaceX and Blue Origin to return astronauts to the moon". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-08-27.