Altair (spacecraft)

The Altair lunar lander (formerly Lunar Surface Access Module ( LSAM ) ) is planned by the NASA Constellation Program Lunar Module. This should transport people and equipment to build a station ( 2020 ) to the moon. After deletion of the Constellation program, the continuation of the concept study is uncertain.

The LSAM was baptized in December 2007 in the name of Altair. This naming is a tribute to the first moon landing, the Lunar Module "Eagle" (German: Adler ) was called. Altair is the brightest star in the constellation Aquila.

Description

Altair

The design of the Altair lander was selected and combined from about 100 concept studies. Despite the many studies have concepts, due to the space physics, a similar structure as the Apollo landing module. There are most of the concepts of two parts: a descent stage, which contains a large portion of the fuel, oxygen and power supply, and an ascent stage, which transported the astronauts, life support systems and the fuel for the rise and control nozzles. In contrast to the Apollo landing module four instead of two astronauts to perform a lunar mission, while the Orion spacecraft is unmanned in lunar orbit in the Altair. Also the LSAM should be able to be flown unmanned and carry up to 14.5 metric tons of payload to the moon.

The Altair lunar lander has two hatches: one for docking in space, the other for leaving the ferry on the lunar surface. The main hatch has an air lock, so no moon dust is dragged into the ferry and the module can remain under normal pressure, when a crew member creates a space suit. The lander also includes a toilet that is already being used in the Soyuz spacecraft and the ISS, a Essenserwärmer, a laser rangefinder, a radar altimeter and a " glass cockpit ", which is also used in the space ship Orion.

Constellation configuration

The lunar module starts with an Ares V rocket and the Earth Departure Stage in earth orbit to perform there with the transported into space by an Ares I rocket spaceship Orion, a coupling maneuver. The entire armada will then fly driven by the Earth Departure Stage to the moon. After the transfer maneuver to the moon, the Earth Departure Stage is separated. Orion with Altair swing after three days, by means of the Altair lunar module engines, into a lunar orbit one. The cast members rise for 2.5 hours landing phases into the Altair lander and separate from Orion. The lander remains with the four crew members of either seven days on the moon, or up to 210 days in the presence of a lunar base. To return to the ascent module separates from the landing module and flies in the direction of transport spaceship Orion for the return - docking. Before returning ignition of the Orion module, the Altair ascent module of Orion is separated again. Following the occurrence of Orion in the Earth's atmosphere and the deceleration of the Orion lander it slides back using parachutes to earth.

The era from President Obama

Due to the announcement by President Obama in early 2010, will no longer support the Constellation program, the continuation of Altair concept is uncertain. Maybe the concept of a day, is used for the new plans to land on an asteroid by 2025.

Gallery

Altair and Orion on the journey to the Moon ( computer graphics)

Astronauts with the Altair lander on the moon (computer graphics )

Start of Altair ascent module ( computer graphics)

Altair ascent module with Orion (computer graphics )