Space Launch System Co-Manifested Payload Options for Habitation

Abstract

The Space Launch System (SLS) has a co-manifested payload capability that will grow over time as the rocket matures and planned upgrades are implemented. The final configuration is planned to be capable of inserting a payload greater than 10 metric tons (mt) into a trans-lunar injection trajectory along with the crew in the Orion capsule and the service module. The co-manifested payload is located below the Orion and its service module in a 10-meter high fairing similar to the way the Saturn launch vehicle carried the lunar lander below the Apollo command and service modules. A variety of approaches have been explored that utilizes this co-manifested payload capability to build up infrastructure in deep space in support of future asteroid, lunar, and Mars mission scenarios. This paper is a report on the findings from the Advanced Concepts Office study team at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, working with the Advanced Exploration Systems Program on the Exploration Augmentation Module Project. It includes some of the possible options for habitation in the co-manifested payload volume on SLS. Findings include module designs that can be developed in 10mt increments to support these missions, including overall conceptual layouts, mass properties, and approaches for integration into various scenarios for near-term support of deep space habitat research and technology development, support to asteroid exploration, and long range support for Mars transfer flights.

Habitation Concepts For Human Missions Beyond Low-Earth-Orbit

“…Configuration 2a is from a previous study on co-manifested payload options for build up of that capability. 2 Configurations 3a, 3b, and 3c2 are discussed in more detail in this paper and are notable for comparison with the earlier work. Several important findings from these configurations are as follows:…”

“…Issues like logistics and outfitting for the co-manifested payloads are covered in the comanifested payload paper referenced. 2 The four SLS 1b payload configurations used different fairing configurations to fit each of the habitat designs. A long 5.5 m diameter habitat module uses the SLS Long Fairing; a 7.2 m diameter habitat module uses the SLS Short Fairing; and an 8.4 m diameter habitat module uses two configurations: a nose cone only, and a 10 m diameter fairing.…”

“…Another approach to the 5.5 m diameter module is included in Figure 14, configuration 2a, from the comanifested payload study. 2 The configuration uses a similar two-level horizontal layout, but divides the functions into two habitat modules and an attached logistics module. Although no detailed layout is provided here, there are several important findings worth further consideration:…”