Whereas new rockets and human missions to the Moon are within the press, NASA is quietly pondering by the nuts and bolts of a long-term presence on the Moon. They’ve already launched two white papers concerning the lunar logistics they’ll require sooner or later and at the moment are requesting proposals from firms to produce some critical cargo transportation. However this isn’t only for area transport; NASA can be on the lookout for floor transportation on the Moon that may transfer cargo weighing as a lot as 2,000 to six,000 kg (4,400 to 13,000 kilos.)
In a latest press launch, NASA requested U.S. {industry} to submit proposals for logistics concepts and options to assist the company land and transfer cargo on the lunar floor through the upcoming Artemis missions.
“NASA depends on collaborations from numerous companions to develop its exploration structure,” stated Nujoud Merancy, deputy affiliate administrator, technique and structure within the Exploration Methods Growth Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Research like this enable the company to leverage the unbelievable experience within the business aerospace neighborhood.”
Within the two white papers, NASA outlined the “gaps” they’ve lunar logistics and mobility as a part of its Moon to Mars structure. Within the first paper, “Lunar Logistics Drivers, Wants,” NASA stated that because the Artemis missions and objectives are conceptualized and deliberate, it’s crucial to precisely predict logistics and resupply wants, not just for mission objectives however for the crucial want of maintaining the people alive and wholesome. They should have a superb plan and the flexibility to move landed cargo and exploration objects from the place they’re delivered to the place they’re used.
“The entire quantity of logistics objects required to maintain the crew alive and wholesome, to take care of programs, and to carry out productive science and utilization will be comparatively giant,” the authors wrote. “It could actually additionally closely affect the design of the structure and exploration missions. The structure should subsequently be based mostly on complete, correct estimates of logistics merchandise wants and embrace evaluation of an acceptable logistics sub-architectures to ship these wants.”
Tips on how to present varied issues like meals, water, air, spare components, and different comparable merchandise required to maintain life, in addition to keep all the assorted programs and buildings are key to having productive science and utilization actions. NASA additionally expects they might want to transfer all these provides round on the Moon, together with to the lunar South Pole the place they plan to ship crews sooner or later. The paper outlines the significance of precisely predicting logistics resupply wants, as they’ll closely affect the general structure and design of exploration missions.
NASA’ stated their present deliberate lunar mobility components, such because the Lunar Terrain Car and Pressurized Rover, have a functionality restrict of about 1,760 kilos (800 kilograms) and can primarily be used to move astronauts across the lunar floor. Nonetheless, future missions might embrace a necessity to maneuver cargo totaling round 4,400 to 13,000 kilos (2,000 to six,000 kg). That’s why NASA needs enter from firms who’ve expertise on this space.
However to have the ability to transfer cargo round to numerous locations on the Moon, NASA first must get the provides to the lunar floor. The second white paper, “Lunar Floor Cargo,” appears on the lunar floor cargo supply wants, compares these wants with present cargo lander capabilities, and descriptions concerns for fulfilling this functionality hole. NASA stated that entry to a various fleet of cargo landers would empower a bigger lunar exploration footprint, and {that a} mixture of worldwide partnerships and U.S. industry-provided landers might provide the ideas and capabilities to fulfill this want.
“Given numerous cargo wants of various dimension, mass, supply cadence, and operational wants, a various portfolio of cargo lander capabilities might be crucial to realize NASA’s Moon to Mars Goals,” the paper says. “Encouraging the event of assorted cargo lander ideas and capabilities might be key to establishing a long-term lunar presence for science and exploration.”
Whereas the request for proposals doesn’t explicitly search new ideas for touchdown autos, it does ask for built-in assessments of logistics that may embrace transportation components.
“We’re on the lookout for {industry} to supply inventive insights that may inform our logistics and mobility technique,” stated Brooke Thornton, {industry} engagement lead for NASA’s Technique and Structure Workplace. “In the end, we’re hoping to develop our consciousness of the distinctive capabilities which can be or might turn out to be part of the business lunar market.”
Acquired concepts? Try NASA’s Request for Proposals.
