Gateway at L1 is, without a doubt, the most important part of this plan.
a 'dynamic duo' of enhanced Delta IV-H and Falcon Heavy should do a bunch of demonstration BEO missions (to a Gateway Station):
Small reusable refuel able spacecraft are the way forward. This is a good start. No need for sls. Need reusable fuel tankers.
An atv could be the international module
Quote from: Nathan on 12/03/2011 09:55 pmAn atv could be the international moduleESA was interested in this sort of thing, but unfortunately they don't have any money either. There were plans for an EU manned space program, but right now I don't think anybody would dare suggest anything like that in light of the current financial crisis in Europe...
Once again: the fifth ATV will be the final ATV.
If the Depots evolved from Hypergolic to Cryogenic or liquid methane/LOX technologies, suddenly missions to the Martian Moons or even the Martian surface itself start to look attractive with Falcon Heavy!
And I mentioned an enhanced Delta IV-H only because that booster can be upgraded a fair way for relatively little money (compared to SLS) and leaving its existing launchpads largely alone.
There isn't much wrong with using a crasher stage, but I wouldn't want to use a prefueled stage launched all the way to L1/L2 for it. If the crasher is refuelable too you've essentially lifted all size constraints from the lander. This was first pointed out to me by (get this) Chuck Longton.
What's the slam for?