A crewed lunar lander concept utilizing the SLS, Orion, and the cislunar Deep Space Gateway

Abstract

As NASA focuses on Mars mission readiness, a crewed lunar lander concept may be timely, as there are both Mars exploration and lunar exploration motives for its development. A lunar lander can be used as a Mars lander technology demonstrator, including demonstrating technologies used in the final phase of Mars descent/landing, as well as technologies/techniques for habitation and ascent to orbit. Utilizing the cislunar Deep Space Gateway and Space Launch System (SLS) transportation capabilities, the addition of a lander would enable international and scientific communities to explore the lunar surface The Boeing lunar lander concept supports a crew of four on a two week (one lunar day) surface sortie and is extensible to longer duration missions with the addition of separately delivered surface assets such as a mobile habitat. The lander is optimized to take advantage of the cislunar Deep Space Gateway architecture; the lander elements are delivered using the SLS Block 2 cargo launch capability and the SLS Orion/cargo co-manifest capability. Overall mass of the ascent module was minimized by allocating habitation and crew surface access functions to the descent module. Recurring costs were reduced by designing a reusable ascent module. This paper will describe the lander design and operation concept, key trade studies and rationale for the selected options. Trade studies were conducted in areas such as spacecraft elements, engines, propellant, airlock, and life support subsystems. Analysis of the Deep Space Gateway orbit is discussed with respect to its compatibility with: a) surface landing operations, b) earth-to-orbit element/cargo delivery operations, and c) access to various lunar surface regions. The paper will show that use of the SLS, Orion and the Deep Space Gateway in support of a human lunar lander exploration architecture is feasible and practical and will explain how the design described can be extensible to future Mars lander designs.