"Jon S. Berndt" wrote in message
...
Don't know if this has been discussed before, but I noticed some time ago
that the LSAM will be discarded after it performs its duties. What are
some thoughts on a less wasteful approach:

1) An LSAM that travels between lunar orbit and lunar surface in one piece
(reusable),
2) A CEV that goes from ground-to-earth-orbit-and-back ONLY (crew taxi),
3) An Earth/Moon transfer vehicle that ONLY goes between earth orbit and
lunar orbit (reusable; stationed at ISS),
4) A fuel/cargo/resupply transfer vehicle that takes stuff anywhere.

Maybe this is too complicated, but it seems wasteful to me to throw away
one LSAM for each access to the lunar surface.

Jon


This is a valid comment. I to have looked at this layout and wondered the
same thing.
Specifically, several approaches should be used - BUT the economics (and
complexity) will determine the viability.

1.) What is eventually left on the lunar surface (descent stage, tanks,
etc.) - become the 21st material scrap yard for future human activities
(e.g. moon bases, raw metals)

2.) Under the current LSAM design that I have looked at
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/pho...23&photoid=151

Looks like a cross between an ISS Alpha habitat module and

a Space:1999 "Eagle Transporter" forward section.
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/eagle39.jpg

After docking in lunar orbit - you have (already in space - that does not
need to be launched from Earth's gravity well) -
a human "crew compartment" with flight controls, basic computer; navigation
and environmental system.

3.) For re-use - you just need the expendables (e.g. Oxygen,
Hydrogen/Methane) - and handful of repair parts.

+ Add a truss system - like on ISS Alpha - and make it look like an Eagle
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/epass6.jpg
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/eagle41.jpg

+ Add a smaller maneuvering system (e.g. Russian Parom space tug, or ESA
ATV) -
and it becomes a space taxi (e.g. Star Trek space dock versions) for use in
Earth, Lunar or Mars orbit or LaGrange Points for scientific studies or
"new" experimental manned space craft (ion, nuclear, etc.)

The idea dates back to Korolev's early circumlunar plans, but at that point
he thought Vostok could be developed
into a tug. The Parom is just a mature version of this concept.

Current Parom design specs:
Parom will be built around a pressurized transfer passage with docking ports
at each end: one to dock to the cargo module, the other to dock to the space
station.
It will have its own engines, along with propellant transfer lines to feed
from the cargo canister into its own tanks or into the space station's
tanks.
It will also have engines scaled to handle cargo modules weighing up to
60,000 pounds, twice the mass of the largest station sections carried into
orbit aboard space shuttles.

+ Add a new "fresh" descent stage for another lunar landing

g. beat