A conceptual design study yielded an approximate size for the platform needed to support typical oxygen-transfer rates which were based upon NASA studies of Mars missions. The Node consists of a gravity gradient stabilized lunar orbiting tank-farm with a storage capacity of 100,000 kg of lunar oxygen, 3300 kg of lunar cargo, and 9300 kg of earth-supplied hydrogen. An emergency-habitat configuration accommodates 14 persons on-board for 110 days. The Node supports an annual lunar oxygen production of 10 exp 6 kg with 220,000 kg of oxygen delivered to earth orbit for an expenditure of 109,000 kg of earth-supplied hydrogen.


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    Title :

    A lunar orbiting Node in support of missions to Mars


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Space Congress ; 1989 ; Cocoa Beach, FL, United States


    Publication date :

    1989-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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