SoCal Chapter Webinar: BUZZCRAFT: Evolution of A Sturdy Cislunar Cycler Architecture in Support of ARTEMIS for Permanent Lunar Settlement Logistics

BUZZCRAFT: Evolution of A Sturdy Cislunar Cycler Architecture in Support of ARTEMIS for Permanent Lunar Settlement Logistics

Thursday, June 20, 2024
12:00-1:00pm Pacific/3:00-4:00pm Eastern

As part of the Artemis program, NASA intends to have boots back on the moon by 2026, with help from the Gateway station in lunar orbit. However, questions persist about the physiological consequences of prolonged exposure to deep space radiation on the crew, especially during the upcoming sunspot cycle 25 solar maximum period that will peak during Artemis mission execution. Furthermore, there is currently no cislunar infrastructure in place to aid with rescue missions in the event of an anomaly requiring crew extraction on the lunar surface, nor is there a reliable logistics channel and communications link to the Moon.

BuzzCraft concept architecture is an alternative to the current Gateway station proposal that seeks to address both of these issues. Attributes of the BuzzCraft architecture are presented. This Buzzcraft cislunar Cycler would serve as a crew emergency and rescue system and also initiate the evolution of a cislunar logistics channel adding vital value to the Artemis effort. Eventually, Buzzcraft could also evolve into Gateway in different orbits including the near rectilinear halo lunar polar orbit(HALO) that is proposed currently.

The BuzzCraft architecture designed to be supported by already existing space technology, both human rated and non-human rated, including NASA and existing commercial space assets. Tried and tested Apollo hardware including the Lunar Module(LM) and the Apollo lunar surface EVA suit can be quickly upgraded for the Artemis lll mission. As a result of space qualified derived hardware, the first phase of BuzzCraft could be launched quickly. Operations in low Earth orbit enable both commercial and international partners to engage in a rapidly phased Buzzcraft cislunar architecture. Furthermore, modules and payloads can be supplied by international partners such as the ESA, RosCosmos, CNSA, JAXA, and ISRO as well as emerging nations with space faring ambitions.

BuzzCraft features are outlined, some future technologies for prime providers suggested and presented in the hope that estimators can provide some insight on comparing reference mission costs & budgets.

Speaker: Madhu Thangavelu
Madhu Thangavelu has a background education in Civil Architecture and Astronautical Engineering. He conducts the ASTE527 graduate Space Exploration Architecture Studio in the Department of Astronautical Engineering within the Viterbi School of Engineering and teaches Space Architecture in the School of Architecture at the University of Southern California. He is the author or coauthor of several publications relating to Space Architecture and human space activities, including a book – The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Settlement by publishers including Elsevier, Routledge, Springer and Wiley. Madhu is on the faculty of the International Space University, an international organization that trains space professionals around the globe. Madhu is an active member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and former Vice Chair of Education for the Los Angeles Section of the AIAA. He is on the board of directors of the National Space Society and also the NSS Vice President for India region. Madhu is the North American coordinator of activities for the Moon Village Association based in Vienna, Austria.

RSVP Online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkduusrzotGd0erHrP758_5GBll9T9N6Kd