500 day HAB/MPLM with a cryogenic propulsion stage
TheDeep Space Habitat (DSH) is a series of concepts explored between 2012 and 2018 byNASA for methods to support crewed exploration missions to theMoon,asteroids, and eventuallyMars.[1] Some of these concepts were eventually used in theLunar Gateway program.
Since 2012, numerous iterations of large lunar and Mars transport habitats have been conceived in previous studies to be launched with theSpace Launch System (SLS),[2][3] and are intended to also be compatible with theOrion capsule. Variations of the designs would be used for theLunar Gateway and theDeep Space Transport.[2]
Early preliminary concepts considered 60-day and 500-day mission configurations, composed ofInternational Space Station-derived hardware, theOrion crew capsule and various support craft.[4] The habitat would be equipped with at least oneInternational Docking System Standard (IDSS) docking system. Developing a deep space habitat would allow a crew to live and work safely in space for about one year on missions to explore cislunar space,Mars, and somenear-Earth asteroids.
In 2015, NASA funded studies for several types of deep space habitat concepts under theNext Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP).[5]Lockheed Martin, the main contractor of the Orion capsule, also produced in 2018 a Deep Space Habitat concept.[6] These concept studies were intended to help NASA decide on a final design for the habitat element for theLunar Gateway.[7]
60 Day Mission – The basic 60-day mission variant would consist of aCryogenic Propulsion Stage (CPS),ISS Destiny-derived lab module, and an airlock/tunnel. In addition, a mission-specific support craft, such as theFlexCraft or theMulti-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle (MMSEV) would be docked to the airlock/tunnel. The Destiny-derived lab houses both the crew quarters and theECLSS components.[4]
500 Day Mission – The 500 Day mission variant would consist of the same 60-day crew habitat and crew size. Mass increases would result from the addition of aMulti-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) to provide additional supply storage for the extended mission duration.[4] It would be 8 m long and 4.5 m in diameter.[4]
60 Day Mission – The basic vehicle elements for this configuration would include a CPS, a MPLM, Utility tunnel/airlock,Node 4 Structural Test Article. The Node element would allow for the attachment of more than one FlexCraft or Space Exploration Vehicle (MMSEV). The Habitat would be crew serviceable at the front of the Node element opposite the tunnel.[8]
500 Day Mission – This 500-day mission variant would have a second MPLM attached to the front on the vehicle as well as add a Cupola to the Node section.[8]
Orion, is being developed by NASA,Lockheed Martin, andAirbus Defence and Space for crewed deep space travel. It is capable of carrying 4 crew, and able to withstand re-entry speeds from lunar or Martian trajectories.
MMSEV – a NASA-designed servicing craft.[9] Capable of supporting a crew of two for up to 2 weeks and havingsuitports for extravehicular activity (EVA).
DSH FlexCraft – a single crew vehicle, attached to the DSH similar to a visiting craft to theInternational Space Station.[10] FlexCraft would be used by an individualastronaut forEVA or tele-operated activities.[11] The hardware would connect directly to the DSH airlock and would share a common atmosphere as the parent ship to provide immediate access to space without pre-breathing by DSH crew. With a pressurized volume of 0.62 m3, the FlexCraft is meant for only one person with an "excursion time" of less than 8 hours. Its propellant would be gaseousnitrogen, and it would have a Delta-V of 21 m/s with a total gross mass projected at 452 kg. An already-identified limitation is that it cannot be used duringsolar particle events. The FlexCraft concept was first presented in a 2012 conference paper by Brand N. Griffin.[12]
^Griffin, Brand N. (March 15, 2012).Benefits of a Single-Person Spacecraft for Weightless Operations. 13th ASCE Earth and Space Conference; 15–18 April 2012; Pasadena, California; United States. 42nd International Conference on Environmental Systems; San Diego, California. United States.hdl:2060/20120013602. 20120013602.
