On-Orbit Assembly and Refurbishment of Lunar Transfer Vehicles

by Rick Vargo, McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co, Kennedy Space Center, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space III

Abstract:

Initial flights of space-based manned lunar transfer vehicles (LTV) will require some on-orbit assembly and checkout due to mass and volume limitations of the Earth-to-orbit (ETO) launcher. Subsequent processing between missions will require post-flight vehicle deservicing and inspection, refurbishment, retest, and launch preparation. This paper describes a methodology for defining and assessing on-orbit vehicle processing operations. The approach is unique in that it applies the real-world ground checkout and launch processing experience of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to the challenge of processing manned exploration vehicles at Space Station Freedom (SSF). Results presented include on-orbit processing flows for LTV assembly and refurbishment, required resources, and design recommendations to enhance on-orbit vehicle processing.

Subject Headings: Vehicles | Space stations | Aircraft and spacecraft | Moon | Space exploration | Traffic flow | Terminal facilities

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