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Tsutomu John Futamata and Dr. Timothy Usher, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Pkwy, San Bernardino, CA 92407
Nuclear rockets transporting humans to Mars with a survivable trip-time has been improved by the concept of a fueling base at the Earth-Moon Lagrange Point 1. Liquid rocket propellant hydrolyzed from Lunar South Pole water/ice can be transported to the EML1 point. This would avoid massive Earth to L1 fuel losses. A key factor in the economics of this EML1 fuel station is the efficiency of transporting fuel from the lunar surface. Orbital and Lagrange trajectory simulations were conducted in a 3D space flight orbital mechanics simulator entitled Orbiter 2016. The trajectory analysis started at a base placed at Lunar South Pole reaching a terminus at a fuel depot placed at the Earth-Moon Lagrange Point 1. This is useful for overall space transportation infrastructure economics study, justification, and strategy. Experiments were conducted in the software to find a ship with reasonable properties for case study and to consider trajectory calculation tools present in Orbiter 2016. Results included preliminary estimates on trajectory regarding paths and propellant consumed.
Presenter: Tsutomu Futamata
Institution: California State University - San Bernardino
Type: Poster
Subject: Physics/Astronomy
Status: Approved
