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BUZZCRAFT�Earth-Moon Cycler Concept Architecture to Expedite �Moon-to-Mars Program

M.Thangavelu, B.Manucha

Astronautical Engineering Department, Viterbi School of Engineering &

The School of Architecture, University of Southern California

2023 NSS International Space Development Conference

Frisco, Texas

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BuzzCraft�Evolution of A Sturdy Cislunar Cycler Architecture for �Permanent Lunar Settlement Logistics�

M.Thangavelu

Conductor, ASTE527 Graduate Space Architecting Studio

Department of Astronautical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering & School of Architecture

University of Southern California

FISO, March 29^th, 2024

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AIAA-2022-4345�BuzzCraft: Evolution of A Cislunar Cycler Architecture for Permanent Lunar Settlement Logistics�

Madhu Thangavelu*, Bradley Manucha

�*Conductor, ASTE527 Graduate Space Concepts Studio, Department of Astronautical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering & USC School of Architecture, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

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Neil Armstrong – USC Distinguished Astro Alumnus

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USC ASTE Astronautical Engineering

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USC ASTE527 Studio

3-Unit graduate class
Focus on Imagination & Creativity
Concept Creation - Rapid Visual Representation
Originality
Academia – Independent of Agency or Industry

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ASTE527 Graduate Space Concepts Studio

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USC Architecture School �Extreme Environments Seminar

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E Pluribus Unum

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Space Community Looks Upward and Outward with Questions�Most of Humanity Looks Downward and Earthward for Solutions

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Sustainability

Economic
Political
Cultural
Environmental

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Sustainability

J.Rockstrom - Stockholm Resilience Centre
Environmental Sustainability
Urban Sustainability - City

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Planetary Boundaries

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Buzz Aldrin- “Competition during Design Phase, Collaboration During Execution.”

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USC ASTE 527 Site�ASTE 527 (google.com)

Several Lunar Concepts
2018-2021 ADAM, MAXIM, TWINS, CHASE
Public Appeal: PLANET MOON !
ASTE 527 (google.com)

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BuzzCraft : Alternate Evolution for Gateway

Buildup in Low Earth Orbit
Plant & Animal Lab Deep Space Radiation Experiments and Data in Van Allen Belt and GSO
Cislunar Cycler for Earth-Moon Logistics Channel & Crew Emergency

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BuzzCraft: LEO is best staging orbit : ISS/MALEO

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BuzzCraft: Private Sector Core

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BuzzCraft Phase l – Plant&Animal Lab(PAL) �in VAB/GSO in Solar Maximum Environment

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BuzzCraft Phase ll – Evolution of CisLunar Logistics & Lunar Crew Support Cycler

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BuzzCraft Cycler Lunar Equatorial Orbit – Polar View

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Lunar Equatorial Orbit – Polar View

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Moon orbit

BuzzCraft Cycler Orbit

Crew Rendezvous

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Fully Reusable Modular Cluster Propulsion

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NASA HIAD-LOFTID Test

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NASA Eagle Engg. Aerobrakes(McCall, Rawlings)

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Briefing to Future In-Space Operations (FISO) �2-22-23

Dr. Neil Cheatwood, Principal Investigator

NASA Langley Research Center

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test�of an Inflatable Decelerator

Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) Overview

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test�of an Inflatable Decelerator

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Why Inflatable?

Entry mass at Mars, and other destinations with atmospheres, is limited by launch vehicle fairing size
Inflatable technology:

Deploys a large aeroshell before atmospheric interface
Enables delivering more payload mass to a larger range of altitudes (including orbit via aerocapture)
Reduces peak heat flux by decelerating more in less dense upper reaches of the atmosphere
Allows payloads to use the full diameter of the launch fairing (can be stowed forward of payload)

Stows into customized shapes for payload attachment and integrated servicing

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HIAD Applications

Robotic missions to any destination with an atmosphere (including sample return to Earth)

ISS down mass (without Shuttle, the U.S. has no large-scale down mass capability)

Lower cost access to space through launch vehicle asset recovery (for example, ULA’s booster module)

High mass delivery to high altitudes at Mars (including humans to Mars)

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IRVE-3 (3m)

LOFTID (6m)

HEART (8.3m)

Vulcan Engine Recovery (12m)

Mars MAV

HIAD (18.8m)

Relative Scales of HIAD Missions

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Analogies Between Project Viking and LOFTID

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	IRVE-3	LOFTID	LEO Return	ISS Down Mass	ULA Engine Recovery	Humans to Mars
Diameter (m)	3	6	<6	8-12	12	18.8
Forebody Geometry (deg)	60	70	60-70	60-70	60-70	70
Entry Mass (kg)	330	1700	<1500	<5000	12000	56000
Entry Velocity (km/s)	2.7	7.1	7-7.5	7-7.5	4-6.5	6.2
Peak Heat Rate (W/cm2)	15	60	<50	30-40	<30	40

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BuzzCraft:Maximum International Cooperation

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BuzzCraft : Global LEO Access & Involvement

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The South Polar Region of the Moon �is a COLD and DARK Place

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Artemis lll Daylight Mission to Tranquillitatis is Safer and Lunar Lava Tube Science is Exciting

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Free Return is assured return trajectory - Life Saver

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Apollo 13

Day 3, part 4: Free Return

Apollo 13 - Day 3, part 4: Free Return

Apollo 13 Flight Journal - Day 3, part 4: Free Return (nasa.gov)

Apollo 13

Day 3, part 4: Free Return

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Optical Comm: Backbone of ALL Communications �Space & Terrestrial Networks

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Optical Comm: Backbone of ALL Communications Space & Terrestrial - ARTEMIS ACCORDS -

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Recommendations for ARTEMIS & GATEWAY

ARTEMIS first – Cislunar regime should support Free World Values - NARRATIVE
Separate URGENT & TIMELY missions from Tech Development Programs
Buildup activity in Low Earth Orbit for Maximum Participation
BUZZCRAFT Architecture - Private Sector Core – Use Existing Assets
Reestablish ARTEMIS Office
PAL - Deep Space Radiation Data in Van Allen Belt and GSO
Establish Earth-Moon Logistics and Crew Support Channel
Use Optical Communications Tech. to enhance ARTEMIS ACCORDS
Evolve BuzzCraft to become GATEWAY
GATEWAY as evolutionary testbed for interplanetary crew transit
Support Nuclear Power and Propulsion

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Probabilistic Risk Assessment & Management

BuzzCraft Concept Architecture is a work in progress
Trades
Failure Trees and Modes
PRAM in various stages of study
NASA references

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Conclusion – We Can Return to the Moon NOW!�…and take the WORLD with us…

BuzzCraft Architecture proposes alternate evolution for Artemis & Gateway
Use Free Return Profile and target lunar equator before polar mission – Apollo
USC APOLLO MAXIM Strategy – Lava Tube Exploration & Apollo 11 Site Visit
Deep Space Radiation Data in Van Allen Belt & GSO in Solar Maximum environment(Sun Spot Cycle 25)
Establish sturdy Cislunar Logistics Channel and Emergency Crew Rescue capability
Maximum Private Space Sector Assets as Core
BuzzCraft Integration and Commission in LEO – MALEO 1988
Optical Communications – Mature, Secure, Potential for whole world
LEO activity potential to involve many more international partners

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Meetings

APL LSIC
Space Tourism Society
NSS ISDC
NASA SSERVI
ISU
MVA, IMD
TMS - LDC
IAC
SRI
ACES
AIAA ASCEND
USC Finals

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Buzz Aldrin- “Competition during Design Phase, Collaboration During Execution.”

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USC ASTE 527 Site�ASTE 527 (google.com)

Several Lunar Concepts
2018-2021 ADAM, MAXIM, TWINS, CHASE
Public Appeal: PLANET MOON !
ASTE 527 (google.com)

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