Abstract
Design studies of a transportation device suitable for increasing the exploration capability of the crew of the early lunar excursion module (LEM) are discussed, and factors considered in the selection of the bipropellant rocket-powered platform configuration are reviewed. The selected configuration has a range in excess of 10 miles. Provisions are included for carrying a second astronaut for rescue missions. The performance/range capabilities of the device are presented for two flight modes: minimum impulse ballistic flights and constant altitude flights. The feasibility of these flight modes is greatly dependent upon the capability of controlling the flying platform. To assess the operator/platform kinesthetic control characteristics, a thrust-lifted platform simulating the lunar transporter was built and tested at Space and Information Systems Division (S&ID). These tests demonstrated that precise control could be achieved without stability augmentation. It was demonstrated further that an operator with no previous flying experience could learn the control technique in a very short period of time.
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