A recent paper on modular exploration vehicles and habitats was published by A.S. Howe of JPL, attached is the document and one of the concepts for a modular lander.
Quote from: BrightLight on 11/19/2015 05:03 pmA recent paper on modular exploration vehicles and habitats was published by A.S. Howe of JPL, attached is the document and one of the concepts for a modular lander.That thing's really gonna move when they light up those four side-slung SSMEs.
Quote from: Mark S on 11/19/2015 06:44 pmQuote from: BrightLight on 11/19/2015 05:03 pmA recent paper on modular exploration vehicles and habitats was published by A.S. Howe of JPL, attached is the document and one of the concepts for a modular lander.That thing's really gonna move when they light up those four side-slung SSMEs. I don't recall seeing anything about using SSME's
Quote from: BrightLight on 11/19/2015 07:11 pmQuote from: Mark S on 11/19/2015 06:44 pmQuote from: BrightLight on 11/19/2015 05:03 pmThat thing's really gonna move when they light up those four side-slung SSMEs. I don't recall seeing anything about using SSME's(he was joking due to the engines' large size and ribbed construction)
Quote from: Mark S on 11/19/2015 06:44 pmQuote from: BrightLight on 11/19/2015 05:03 pmThat thing's really gonna move when they light up those four side-slung SSMEs. I don't recall seeing anything about using SSME's
Quote from: BrightLight on 11/19/2015 05:03 pmThat thing's really gonna move when they light up those four side-slung SSMEs.
Quote from: NovaSilisko on 11/19/2015 07:25 pmQuote from: BrightLight on 11/19/2015 07:11 pmQuote from: Mark S on 11/19/2015 06:44 pmQuote from: BrightLight on 11/19/2015 05:03 pmThat thing's really gonna move when they light up those four side-slung SSMEs. I don't recall seeing anything about using SSME's(he was joking due to the engines' large size and ribbed construction)Kinda like the nozzle bell on the Apollo service module in size.
Quote from: Zed_Noir on 11/19/2015 08:30 pmQuote from: NovaSilisko on 11/19/2015 07:25 pmQuote from: BrightLight on 11/19/2015 07:11 pmQuote from: Mark S on 11/19/2015 06:44 pmQuote from: BrightLight on 11/19/2015 05:03 pmThat thing's really gonna move when they light up those four side-slung SSMEs. I don't recall seeing anything about using SSME's(he was joking due to the engines' large size and ribbed construction)Kinda like the nozzle bell on the Apollo service module in size.Yeah, or the Apollo descent engine with its extended nozzle, which mostly ended up being hidden inside the descent stage structure.I'd be concerned about debris kicked up by that design, though. With Apollo you had the whole descent stage shielding you in addition to the fact the whole thing was slightly elevated. This, though, is right against the ground, and looks like you might need some sort of shielding to protect against flying pebbles.
Yeah, or the Apollo descent engine with its extended nozzle, which mostly ended up being hidden inside the descent stage structure.I'd be concerned about debris kicked up by that design, though. With Apollo you had the whole descent stage shielding you in addition to the fact the whole thing was slightly elevated. This, though, is right against the ground, and looks like you might need some sort of shielding to protect against flying pebbles.
It's a shame NASA isn't developing the MMSEV instead of Orion. So many potential applications: Asteroids, Phobos Taxi, Lunar Lander etc. It could also serve as a LEO-L2 Taxi if refueled at L2 since its relatively lightweight.
Quote from: Oli on 02/17/2016 03:38 amIt's a shame NASA isn't developing the MMSEV instead of Orion. So many potential applications: Asteroids, Phobos Taxi, Lunar Lander etc. It could also serve as a LEO-L2 Taxi if refueled at L2 since its relatively lightweight.Could a modified Centaur get a MMSEV massing 4-5 tons from LEO to EML-2?That is a delta-v of about 3.43 km/s. Then be refuelled for the return trip.The return fuel could be sent to the EML-2 depot on a SEP tug.