Robotic Lunar Surface Operations 2. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Austin, Alex; Sherwood, Brent; Elliott, John; Colaprete, Anthony; Zacny, Kris; Metzger, Philip; Sims, Michael; Schmitt, Harrison; Magnus, Sandra; Fong, Terry; Smith, Miles; Casillas, Raul Polit; Howe, A. Scott; Voecks, Gerald; Vaquero, Mar; Vendiola, Vincent
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 176(2020)
• Page Start: 424
• Page End: 437
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Lunar base -- ISRU -- Operations modeling -- Robotics; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.06.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: Results are reported from a new lunar base study with a concise architectural program: build and operate a human-tended base that produces enough oxygen and hydrogen from lunar polar ice In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) for four flights per year of a reusable lander shuttling between the Lunar Gateway and the base. The study examines for the modern era issues first developed and reconciled by the Robotic Lunar Surface Operations (RLSO) study published in 1990 and resurrected at the 69th IAC in Bremen. The new study updates key assumptions for 1) resources - lunar polar ice instead of ilmenite; 2) solar power - polar lighting conditions instead of the 28-day equatorial lunation cycle; 3) transportation - use of multiple flight systems now in development and planning; 4) base site planning - a range of options near, straddling, and inside permanently shadowed regions; 5) ISRU scenarios - for harvesting ice and for constructing radiation shielding from regolith. As did the original study, RLSO2 combines US experts in mission design, space architecture, robotic surface operations, autonomy, ISRU, operations analysis, and human space mission and lunar surface experience. Unlike the original study, the new study uses contemporary tools: CAD engineering of purpose-design base elements, and integrated performance captured in a numerical operations model. This allows rapid iteration to converge system sizing, and builds a legacy analysis tool that can assess the performance benefits and impacts of any proposed system element in the context of the overall base. The paper presents an overview of the ground rules, assumptions, methodology, operations model, element designs, base site plan, and quantitative findings. These findings include the performance of various regolith and ice resource utilization schemes as a function of base location and lunar surface parameters. The paper closes with short lists of the highest priority experiments and demonstrations needed on the lunar surface to retire key planning unknowns. Highlights: It is critical to design all base elements concurrently so that they are integrated. The base architecture must be built around quantified operations analysis. For a large portion of time, the base must be constructed and tended to robotically. The scale of the ISRU operations will be too large for constant human involvement.