Uncategorized – The Spudis Lunar Resources Blog http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog Thu, 02 Aug 2018 07:01:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 40951433 An Architecture for Direct Lunar Return Using SLS and Orion http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/an-architecture-for-direct-lunar-return-using-sls-and-orion/ http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/an-architecture-for-direct-lunar-return-using-sls-and-orion/#comments Thu, 02 Aug 2018 07:01:24 +0000 http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/?p=1844 Continue reading →]]> I have been asked recently by several people to lay out an architecture for direct lunar return.  This includes what is required (e.g. LOP-G or no LOP-G?), how the pieces fit together and the likely outcome of such a program.  I find that almost all of these issues are addressed in a paper that Tony Lavoie and I wrote two years ago:

The Purpose of Human Spaceflight and a Lunar Architecture to Explore the Potential of Resource Utilization

This 2016 paper (updating an architecture written 6 years ago ) details how to fulfill the 2018 Presidential Directive to return to the Moon.  It also addresses how to use the existing SLS and Orion programs to enhance the plan.

As you read it, please note how this paper addresses many questions and talking points being bounced back and forth in the current national debate about the U.S. space program.

]]> http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/an-architecture-for-direct-lunar-return-using-sls-and-orion/feed/ 11 1844 Lowering the Cost of Human Spaceflight http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/lowering-the-cost-of-human-spaceflight/ http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/lowering-the-cost-of-human-spaceflight/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:15:24 +0000 http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/?p=1479 Three approaches, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  My new post up at Air&Space, for your consideration.  Comment here, if desired.

]]> http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/lowering-the-cost-of-human-spaceflight/feed/ 45 1479 Yutu on the Moon and the Cost of Mars http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/yutu-on-the-moon-and-the-cost-of-mars/ http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/yutu-on-the-moon-and-the-cost-of-mars/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2015 21:25:32 +0000 http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/?p=1161 Continue reading →]]> A couple of new posts on other sites that might be of interest to the readers of this blog.

Over at Air & Space, I discuss the new science results from the Chang’E-3 Yutu rover investigations.  Comment here, if you are so inclined.

Also, Glenn Smith and I have an op-ed at Space News on the likely cost of a human Mars mission.  Comments here are welcome.

]]> http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/yutu-on-the-moon-and-the-cost-of-mars/feed/ 32 1161 The Flight of Orion http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/the-flight-of-orion/ http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/the-flight-of-orion/#comments Tue, 02 Dec 2014 23:45:06 +0000 http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/?p=1057 New post up at “Once and Future Moon” on the Orion spacecraft, its upcoming test flight this week, and some observations on the program in general.  Comment here if you are so inclined.

]]> http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/the-flight-of-orion/feed/ 11 1057 A Lunar Road Trip http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/a-lunar-road-trip/ http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/a-lunar-road-trip/#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2014 19:36:30 +0000 http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/?p=1012 I have a new post up at Air & Space that describes an imaginary road trip across the surface of the Moon sometime in the no doubt distant future.  Comment here, if so inclined.

]]> http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/a-lunar-road-trip/feed/ 8 1012 New post at Air & Space: Gordon Swann, Geology Teacher to the Astronauts http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/new-post-at-air-space-gordon-swann-geology-teacher-to-the-astronauts/ http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/new-post-at-air-space-gordon-swann-geology-teacher-to-the-astronauts/#comments Tue, 03 Jun 2014 21:26:22 +0000 http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/?p=855 Continue reading →]]> I have a new post over at Smithsonian Air & Space about my good friend, Gordon Swann, who passed away last week.  Gordon was the PI of the field geology team for the Apollo 13, 14 and 15 missions and developed many of the procedures for collecting samples on the Moon.  He was a great guy and he will be missed.

]]> http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/new-post-at-air-space-gordon-swann-geology-teacher-to-the-astronauts/feed/ 3 855 The Promise of Astronomy on the Moon http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/the-promise-of-astronomy-on-the-moon/ http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/the-promise-of-astronomy-on-the-moon/#comments Fri, 21 Mar 2014 20:25:52 +0000 http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/?p=777 In a new post over at Air & Space, I consider the history of efforts to conduct astronomical observations from the lunar surface.  Comment here if so inclined.

]]> http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/the-promise-of-astronomy-on-the-moon/feed/ 2 777 You too, Yutu? http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/you-too-yutu/ Thu, 27 Feb 2014 08:58:43 +0000 http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/?p=753 Some thoughts on the possible state of the Chang’E 3 mission to the Moon are posted at Air & Space, for your consideration and reading pleasure.

]]> 753 Lunar Forensic Files: Studying Life’s Processes and Origin on the Moon http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/lunar-forensic-files-studying-lifes-processes-and-origin-on-the-moon/ http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/lunar-forensic-files-studying-lifes-processes-and-origin-on-the-moon/#comments Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:01:16 +0000 http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/?p=737 Astrobiology on the Moon?  I have a new blog post up at the (newly re-designed) Air & Space magazine that discusses the study of pre-biotic organic geochemistry in the lunar polar volatile deposits.  Comment here if so inclined.

]]> http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/lunar-forensic-files-studying-lifes-processes-and-origin-on-the-moon/feed/ 2 737 Mining the Moon, Fueling the Future http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/mining-the-moon-fueling-the-future/ http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/mining-the-moon-fueling-the-future/#comments Mon, 30 Dec 2013 10:00:39 +0000 http://spudislunarresources.nss.org/blog/?p=659 Some thoughts on the meaning of “mining” in the context of lunar return over at the other blog at Air & Space magazine.  Comment here if you want.

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