The Moon and NEAs as sources of cislunar propellant; removing some constraints from a recent paper drives down lunar sourced propellant cost
The Moon and NEAs as sources of cislunar propellant; removing some constraints from a recent paper drives down lunar sourced propellant cost
- New search for: Bennett, Nicholas J.
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3755-0546
- New search for: Xie, Ruida
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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5169-1620
- New search for: Dempster, Andrew G.
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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0881-1548
- New search for: Bennett, Nicholas J.
- Further information on Bennett, Nicholas J.:
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3755-0546
- New search for: Xie, Ruida
- Further information on Xie, Ruida:
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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5169-1620
- New search for: Dempster, Andrew G.
- Further information on Dempster, Andrew G.:
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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0881-1548
Abstract Space Resource Utilization could reduce the mass, cost, and risks of future space activities. The many nonlinear and compounding effects mean that seemingly insignificant concept of operations choices can invalidate the conclusions of sophisticated analyses. Here we successively relax self-imposed constraints in a recent publication to demonstrate that the proximity of a market and the benefits of aerobraking cannot be omitted.
Highlights Earth Moon proximity allows a high cadence of space resource transportation. Higher cadence allows costs to be amortized over a higher mass of delivered product. A powerful economic advantage of the proximity of lunar resources is demonstrated. Modifying a published model, we can show orders of magnitude reduction in costs. Fair comparison of resource locations must incorporate multiple missions over time.
Document information
The Moon and NEAs as sources of cislunar propellant; removing some constraints from a recent paper drives down lunar sourced propellant cost
Acta Astronautica ; 190 ; 409-412
2021-10-24
4 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English