Configuration Options to Maximize Lunar Surface Reuse of Altair Lander Structure and Systems

What is it about?

Boeing performed lunar lander design trade studies during 2008 to support the NASA Altair concept definition effort. The goal of these trade studies was to optimize configuration layouts and figures of merit (FOMs) for the Ascent Module (AM), Descent Module (DM), structural concept, and the integrated vehicle. Multiple AM concepts were developed. Four alternate lander DM configuration concepts were developed, each having different basic structural concepts and propellant tank configurations. These trade studies, presented at the AIAA Space 2008 conference, produced a wealth of useful design data and provided significant support to NASA’s Altair lunar lander concept definition effort. They also pointed out the desirability of performing additional design optimization to enhance the ability of lander DM structure and systems to be scavenged on the lunar surface and reused by future crews, as potential sources of spare parts and hardware for construction of lunar outposts. Reusability of lander DM structure and systems has significant potential to reduce the amount of mass that must be transported from earth for this purpose. Additional work was performed during 2009 to optimize two of the alternate Altair DM configurations that have potential for reuse of a significant portion of structure and systems: The DM with a single LH2 tank and four LO2 tanks, the DM with single LH2 and LO2 tanks separated by a common bulkhead. A third DM design, having single, concentric toroidal LH2 and LO2 tanks, was identified as having the potential for significant parts reuse due to its geometry and placement of subsystems. The purpose of this paper is to present these three lander designs, with design assumptions, requirements, and configuration drawings, and compare their relative Figures of Merit (FOMs) for reusability of DM structure and systems with the Boeing Reference Space Truss configuration. It is anticipated that these results will provide significant support to NASA’s ongoing Altair lunar lander concept definition effort.

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Photo by Nicolas Thomas on Unsplash

Photo by Nicolas Thomas on Unsplash