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Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 4)
The Advanced Lightweight Lunar Gantry for Operations (ALLGO) concept incorporates inflatable air beam technologies similar to those used for the Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) project as structural components. The use of air beams, along with tendon-based supports greatly reduces the structural mass and launch volume needed to deliver a mobile lunar gantry system. The basic ALLGO design is fully scalable from a small system for Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) sized payloads to large configurations to handle payloads such as habitation modules. The proposed ALLGO concept is self-deployable after landing on the lunar surface.
Operations at a lunar basecamp will require many types of payloads to be unloaded from single use and reusable landers. These payloads will typically need to be transported to their final destinations. Without a system for unloading and transporting payloads, each mission will have to include this capability in its design. Challenges in developing a system to meet this need include: 1.) Stowage in the launch vehicle 2.) Deployment from a stowed state 3.) Low mass & Low cost 4.) Scalability for different landers and payload (5) Mission flexibility (6) Extended Operation on the Lunar Surface
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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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