Deflector Cone and Vented Launch Pad

Cislune has proposed the development of an innovative solution to make lunar landing pads more resilient and reduce ejecta and improve lander performance. Landing pads undergo erosion, spallation, and potential burn-through and catastrophic failure when subjected to plumes. Cislune has innovated a robotic launch deflector cone made from lunar resources that can be positioned autonomously under the engine(s) after landing but before launch. Acoustics and shock effects between the vehicle and a flat landing pad can result in excessive acoustic and mechanical coupling to the vehicle structure. The deflector cone will reduce shock and acoustic effects. Gas can be driven through the landing pad in the plume stagnation region if cracks form in the pad, which is especially risky for brick/paver constructions. Cislune has innovated a way to build redundancy and reliability into a pad by incorporating venting channels on the undersides of the pavers or bricks. Cislune will study these innovations for proof-of-concept and to develop metrics to evaluate their technical and economic viability.

Ejecta modeling and damage prediction are critical for lunar exploration and development. These innovations directly map to NASA STMD’s Strategic Framework thrusts of Land and Live - Advanced Materials, Structures, and Construction. These technologies will make lunar landers and infrastructure highly reusable and robust.

Commercial landers and infrastructure on the Moon and Mars need reliable modeling of ejecta for landing crew and cargo safety. Cislune’s damage models anchored to the results from testing deflector cone and vented pads will enable lower cost development and utilization of the lunar surface.

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