SSDW 2009

With the first analysis of planetary surface installations on the Moon, SSDW 2009 opened a new chapter in the workshop history. This step even further completed the capabilities of the design environment for orbital stations, near-Earth and interplanetary transfers and planetary surface missions.

SSDW 2009 was held once again at the local premises of the IRS in Stuttgart, Germany. 31 students and young professionals from 11 nationalities and with diverse backgrounds in engineering, architecture and psychology were selected from a large applicant pool and invited to the University of Stuttgart from 26 to 31 July 2009 for a truly international, multidisciplinary challenge. The participants formed two competing design teams, tagged “RED” and “BLUE” and faced an intense one-week program.

After the welcome and introduction, the first three days included half-day lectures addressing critical aspects of human space mission design, while the participants already engaged in workshop sessions during the afternoons. This hands-on design team work started early in the timeline and grew in importance throughout the workshop, where full days were dedicated to systems and subsystems engineering, modeling, simulation and concept refinement. Even though densely packed with project work, the SSDW also encouraged socializing between the participants during cultural activities on most evenings.

Mission Statement

In particular, the outpost shall:

• provide initial habitation capabilities for extended surface stays no later than 2025
• accommodate a crew of at least 4 astronauts for missions to the lunar surface of up to 180 days at assembly complete
• provide safe haven capabilities for a crew of 4 astronauts for up to 14 days
• provide growth potential towards a sustainable permanent lunar base including commercial partners after 2030
• offer the possibility to conduct research on human aspects as well as on technology for long-term surface operations on Moon and Mars
• outline a significant contribution and visibility of Europe in the international program

The two design teams considered various options within the specified frame of the mission statement, both at systems and subsystems level. Two distinctly different approaches were chosen for detailed assessment, characterized primarily through the site selection in the equatorial region (Team RED) and the South Pole (Team BLUE).

Design Results Summary

The following table gives some key facts about the design concepts. For a detailed description of subsystems as well as design evaluation of the design work performed, see the SSDW 2009 Final Report (Download available here) or contact the SSDW staff.

 

LunoX

LOReTTA

 

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