Internal Layout for a Cis-Lunar Habitat

Abstract

The distance between Orlando, FL and Miami, FL is 377 km (234 mi.). This is the approximate orbital altitude of the Russian Salyut and MIR space stations; Skylab and the existing International Space Station (ISS). With the exception of the Apollo missions, virtually all human space flight has occurred within the distance between Orlando and Miami. In other words, very close to the Earth. This is significant because NASA's goal is to explore Beyond low-Earth Orbit (BEO) and is building the Space Launch System (SLS) capable of sending humans to cis-lunar space, the surface of the Moon, asteroids and Mars. Unlike operations in low-earth orbit, astronauts on BEO missions do not have rapid emergency return or frequent resupply opportunities and are exposed to potentially lethal radiation. Apollo missions were by comparison short. The longest was 12.5 days compared to cis-lunar missions currently being sized for 60 and 180 days. For radiation, one of the largest solar particle events (SPE) on record (August 4-9, 1972) occurred between the Apollo 16 and 17 flights. This was fortunate because the magnitude of this SPE would likely have been fatal to astronauts in space suits or the thin-walled Lunar Excursion Module. A cislunar habitat located at one of the Earth-Moon Lagranian points (EM L2) is being studied. This paper presents an overview of the factors influencing the design and includes layout options for the habitat. Configurations include ISS-derived systems but there is an emphasis on SLS-derived versions using a propellant tank for the habitat pressure vessel.

Habitation Concepts For Human Missions Beyond Low-Earth-Orbit

“…The overall layout is nearly identical to an 8.4 m diameter habitat module that has been presented in previous papers. 3,4,5 The end domes are open and used for translation between decks and provide access to an airlock at one end and docking ports at each end. Several important findings from this configuration are as follows.…”

“…The 8.4m diameter habitat module uses the same three-deck layout as shown in Figures 10 and 11 for the 7.2 m diameter module and has been shown is several previous papers. 3,4,5 Additional volume is available in all areas proportionately due to the larger diameter. Several important findings from this configuration are as follows:…”

Habitat Concepts for Deep Space Exploration

“…Vertical or transverse layouts were explored too, where the barrel section is turned up in a vertical orientation and the decks stack on top of each other in three or more levels. 8 In general, it was found that the vertical layouts were slightly more massive due to the inefficiency of the layout on each floor-which had to accommodate the circular exterior wall in plan and pass-through at each floor to accommodate vertical circulation. It should be noted, however, that a vertically oriented layout might be appropriate for artificial gravity configurations where a vehicle, like the one shown in Fig.…”