2020 — Concepts for Phased Development of a Lunar Surface Base
August 3, 2020
Authors: David Smitherman, Shane Canerday, Jay Perry, and David Howard, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL, 35812, USA.
Abstract: Several design concepts were studied in 2019 and 2020 to explore a range of possibilities for development of a base on the surface of the Moon in preparation for ongoing missions to Mars. The studies included phasing approaches for life support systems to accommodate initial short-term missions under 60 days with eventual ongoing missions with crew rotations every 180 days. The approach presented is not currently in the NASA plans but is one of many approaches that could be considered as a reference for future development by government, commercial, and international partners. Included in the paper are conceptual layouts, life support phasing approaches, and mass properties for a variety of modules leading toward a permanent base on the surface of the Moon that is also applicable to a base development on the surface of Mars.
Full paper availability at:
NASA Technical Report Server: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20205005833
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2020-4051