Author Topic: Assembling the MCT Propellant Depot  (Read 7757 times)

Offline Ionmars

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Re: Assembling the MCT Propellant Depot
« Reply #20 on: 10/21/2015 11:25 am »
Summary of assembly

The MCT Propellant Depot will be assembled in space by robotic arms similar to the ISS Canadarm. A cargo MCT will deliver the struts, beams, connectors and tools to the assembly site in LEO. A MCT cargo handler built into the cargo bay ceiling will bring each piece to the “front porch.” From this position two robotic arms will assemble the framework piece-by-piece, employing specially made connectors, extensor clamps, and a powered screwdriver. The framework can be built from berth 1 through berth 8. Alternatively, the forward half-berths 1 through 8 can be assembled first, followed by the aft half-berths.

Good news: In the process of working out the assembly plan for the Depot I discovered that the entire framework for the MCT Propellant Depot could be built from the parts and tools delivered to LEO in just one trip of a cargo MCT! The low cost of developing and building this structure is better than expected. :)

Offline Ionmars

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Re: Assembling the MCT Propellant Depot
« Reply #21 on: 10/21/2015 11:26 am »
Advantages of the six-berth design (a reminder)
 
A propellant depot to serve six MCTs lying parallel to one another in a circle with a central hollow core will feature the following advantages:

A. It will facilitate routine depot functions in an efficient manner:

(1)   Each vehicle will be provided with propellant settling within its tanks prior to any fluid transfers. This service is based on continuous slow rotation of the Depot.
(2)   Each vehicle will share the services of a cryocooler for boil-off control.
(3)   Each vehicle will share the service of an overpressure chamber during propellant transfer.
(4)   Each vehicle will receive electrical service through its interface pad.
(5)   Each vehicle will have the option of storing O2 and CH4 in designated MCT propellant tanks at the Depot rather than just delivering fuel directly to an outbound vehicle.
(6)   Each vehicle may opt to receive propellants stored at the Depot to "top off" a nearly full tank, thereby saving an extra trip from Earth.

 B. The Depot will provide an efficient design for solar radiation protection. Six vehicles grouped together can be protected by one outer shell. The shell will be subdivided into doors to provide access to the six berths. The door coverings will be composed of heat reflectors and solar panels.

C. The Depot is designed to minimize development cost. MCT tanks themselves will serve as the depot tanks. No permanent pressure vessels will be required because managers on Earth will remotely control on-depot robots to operate the Depot. 

D. All berths will lie next to the robotic services area in the central core.   Two robotic arms will each move quickly through the interior core space from one location to another and then swing up into a berth to service a vehicle. End effectors and tools will be kept in the interior service area.
The robotic arms will
(1) Attach to each incoming vehicle and pull it into a berth;
(2) Perform depot construction and maintenance; and
(3) Perform maintenance on vehicles when required.

E. The Depot will settle propellants during fluid transfers, not only by rotation, but also by docking each vehicle at a two-degree slope that causes propellants to migrate along the interior sidewall toward the interface pad and into the common plumbing system for smooth pumping operations.
 
F. Optionally, the Depot may incorporate extra cooling capacity for propellant densification prior to BEO missions.
« Last Edit: 10/22/2015 07:10 pm by Ionmars »

Offline Ionmars

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Re: Assembling the MCT Propellant Depot
« Reply #22 on: 10/21/2015 11:27 am »
Your Critique

This article is posted here rather than published elsewhere so that you can comment, criticize, and make suggestions. Already a number of persons have supplied ideas that were incorporated into the design.
« Last Edit: 10/22/2015 07:17 pm by Ionmars »

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