SPACE PHOTOS

Estimate Request for the image S01822

To make a request for several images, go back to the Picture Library and add them to the Light Box.



Ref : S01822

Theme :  Future projects - Exploration of the Solar System  (136 images)

Title : Shown is a large orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) and lander in low lunar orbit over the crater Copernicus

Caption :

Shown is a large orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) and lander in low lunar orbit over the crater Copernicus. Both vehicles return to the Space Station in Earth orbit after every mission for maintenance, component changeout and to be reloaded with propellants and other consumables. The lander is multi-purpose, capable of landing cargos up to 25 metric tons (one way, lander expended) or carry a crew module round trip. The crew module, shown in the illustration, can be removed and replaced with cargo. The lander is separating from the OTV, seen preparing to descend to the surface. Later it would return to low lunar orbit, single stage. It has a pressurized tunnel running down the center which tees into another tunnel shown on the bottom. The tunnels provide pressurized volume to locate equipment requiring maintenance, replacement or inspection. The tunnel also allows pressurized access to a surface rover and doubles as an airlock. The lander would require about 30 metric tons of propellant. The lander engines are the chief long term development item. Requirements for throttling ratios as high as 20:1, space basing, and reusability, place them at or beyond the state of the art. Study participants feel work on the lander should continue until the engines are defined well enough for long lead development to begin. The OTV is a large, aerobraked, specially designed vehicle, designed to place the lander and payload in low lunar orbit and then aerobrake the empty lander back into Earth orbit. The OTV does this single stage from low Earth orbit and back. The OTV and lander may be able to use common engines, but this requires more study. The illustration shows common engines. The OTV would carry roughly 120 metric tons of propellant.



to specify how you want to use these images. You can also send your request by E-mail
To make a request for several images, go back to the Picture Library and add them to the Light Box.

Image(s) use :
 
 
Reproduction format of the image in the final document :
 
 
Print run of the document on which the image is reproduced :
 
 
Number of consecutive uses :
 
 
If image is reproduced in the Press, please specify number of titles :
 
 
If image is reproduced as a poster
please specify size of the poster :
 
 
Give all useful information or specify the use of the image(s) in this box :