Lunar Escape - Backup Ascent Abort from the Lunar Surface (for Crew Risk Reduction)

Identify the value and impact of alternative options for crew ascent from the lunar surface in case of primary vehicle failure. Current direction for lunar return has a focus on a short timeline which is very sensitive to cost and schedule. Lunar return may be achieved with a vehicle that has not performed a lunar ascent test flight by the time the first crew lands on the surface (high risk). Testing the full scale lunar ascent vehicle may be preventatively costly due to the additional elements and additional launch vehicles needed to deliver the full scale ascent element developed for 2024 lunar return. Evaluate mission and crew risk based on current plans for lunar ascent involving a single engine ascent vehicle Analyze mission impacts including mass and cost as well as long term lunar habitation implications Develop parametric models for potential solutions based on trajectory analysis and other fixed architecture characteristics Provide trade space solutions given variations in crew size, cabin pressurization vs. unpressurized, and launch at different points in the mission Verify fidelity of parametric models with additional structural analysis

If the study concludes that a contingency assent vehicle has significant impact to the near term and/or long term lunar surface excursions, a “best of” vehicle will be taken from these works and incorporated in to further analysis including potential flight simulations to discover non obvious issues such as pilot work load and navigation that may add mass and complexity to the vehicle therefore keeping it in or pushing it out of the low mass success criteria bounding box

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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