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MOON BASE

Modular Base, Communication and Detection Gear

Artist impression of mankind first moon base. From this picture you can see its size (the module) has been made to fit into the NSS or the original shuttle cargo bay.
During the first stage of the moon base, it must be modular construction, plus on wheel, to ensure its survivability and mobility, as shown in this picture above. It is also important to include communication and detection gear, especially with NASA operation command and perhaps SETI, so that NASA can alert the moon base of any incoming foreign object, especially asteroid from threatening the moon base. This will give the moon base time to ‘unpacked’ and move safely to another location.




MOON BASE PROTECTION

Add-On-Armor and Missile

For protection against smaller object, like the asteroid size of a football, we need a cheaper and practical protection. The protection were in the form of add-on-armor consists of lightweight material like Kevlar and carbon fiber for 1st layer, the material used to stop overshoot aircraft on runway for 2nd layer and steel net 3rd layer. These combine armor is the first line of defense against
asteroid the size mentioned above. 
            However, for protection against asteroid, same size or bigger than a refrigerator, we need to use, let say missile for better punch against these dangerous threat. There are 3 candidates for this missile which is:

  1. ADATS Missiles (Short Range, Conventional warhead, Space Version)
  2. ESSM (Medium Range, Nuclear Warhead, Space Version)
  3. RIM-161 SM-3 Missile (Long range, Nuclear Warhead, Space version)

ADATS Missile

ESSM Missile


SM-3 Missile

This missile is in the list because of several factors, such as:

·        This missile is really fast (SM-3 Missile with speed of 6000mph). For more detail, please browse website: www.designation-system.net
·         It can carry big warhead (e.g. ESSM with 40kg warhead).
·         This missile has high G-turn (35G+) making it highly maneuverable and agile.  
·         Unlike some missile that use air to work, this missile use purely rocket powered
·         It has longer range, but smaller size (even SM-3 Missile) for weapon of its class for easy transportation, compared with other missile system used worldwide.
·         It also packs a punch. Example, ADATS missile can engage aircraft and even surface vessel (like APC), make it very versatile.
Combine the fact of the moon gravity, which is only 1/6 of earth gravity, and you can have, let say SM-3 performance (speed) of 9600km/h x 6 = 57,600km/h! And range of 500km become 3,000km! Also, it is much safer, although quite controversial to use nuclear warhead, on the moon against any asteroid larger than the house size because it is the only blast strong enough to divert asteroid path. This shows the fact that moon is the best launch platform for missile against threat from asteroid. So, the only modification is for the computer, which is the fire control and guidance system need to be made small, simpler, use less power to operate BUT MORE DETECTION RANGE.


It is also important that the missile defense and perhaps, radar or electro-optical guided control system, has mobility and made as separate, instead of integrated module to further increase its own survivability, as shown from the example above (excluding the gun turret). The system will communicate between them, using cable or wireless communication for coordination with other system unit. Lastly, this defense system use solar powered + (nuclear battery) for its operation. In future, it is possible to use Helium-3, which is the mineral widely available at the moon as new source of power.



TO CONSTRUCT MOON AIRFIELD: CANDIDATE FOR MOON

ROVER VEHICLE

Interesting that NASA already have winning candidate for moon vehicle, which is moon rover that looks big and powerful enough to conduct construction on the moon. This rover, currently on experiment on planet earth, already uses battery, and perhaps solar power to generate the rover electricity. Look at the picture below:

Moon rover with pressurized compartment

This rover currently being tested has the space to accommodate 3 astronauts, and still can be carried into the cargo bay of the space shuttle (or NSS).

Moon rover without pressurized compartment but enable with astronaut spacesuit

By applying kit that helps future astronaut, it enables NASA to conduct construction of the moon airfield much quicker than anticipated.

Equip the moon rover with dozer blade, and we can have moon rover construct on the moon!










Also, the Russian have robot that move using wheel, and large enough to be modify to accommodate with dozer blade and even crew compartment. This vehicle can help to assist astronaut conduct construction on the moon. Even this robot can be converted to accommodate with crew compartment. Look at the picture below:

Lunokhod Lunar Rover of Former USSR (Now Russia)






WHAT NASA HAS MISSED?

This year the mankind already has the first International Space Station on our Earth space, and its costs, although combined effort of 15 countries cost as much as 100 billion USD, the single most expensive ‘diamond’ in space. Moreover, it does serve its purpose, if it use as a hub for future space exploration to the moon.
            This is what NASA has missed from such joint co-operation with other countries. They have been very successful with the ISS, which is contribution with Russia, Japan, Canada and EU countries, working together in term of the fundamental, technology, material, funding and knowledge. They should have done this with the space shuttle (especially with Russia with their Energia rocket booster) , why have to wait another 10 years and spend more billion of dollars, when the project they invent in future is something that send only astronaut to moon, something that have been done 40 years ago? Cold war ends almost 20 years ago! Now should be the time for US to joint forces with other members of the ISS program to turn vision to the moon into reality.  
            When it come to method, for example, to predict the suitable landing zone for moon base construction shouldn’t become a problem, as NASA or USA have lots of talented scientists that can predict the possibility of the asteroid hitting on the moon, which further reduce the cost of moon base and further enhance its survivability. They also have SETI, an agency that have enormous number of radio transmitter on earth that has the ability to detect incoming asteroid that going to hit the moon. Furthermore, the fact that the moon have 1/6 of the earth gravity means not only less fuel to burn (when the moon airport is ready for space shuttle), but also greater launch range and more speed can be achieve for missile designed for moon base protection. This benefit also can be achieved by manned rocket for mission to mars.
            The benefit for astronaut also can be enormous. This is because of existence of gravity, although only 1/6 of the earth gravity means the astronaut can stay longer on the moon to work, without to worry of significant weight losses and changes in bone structure when working in zero gravity environment for long period.
            The danger if the Moon Space orbiting station is implemented can be enormous, whether financially and to humanity. The 100 Billion USD moon space station, with same spec is a dead orbiting station, subject to the mercy of the space environment, and it is very hard to maintain as well. Even with careful planning, a single unexpected collision with asteroid can be a catastrophic to financial and to human survival as well. Not only is the safety of the moon space station in jeopardy, but to astronaut as well. This is because, it’s very hard to conduct search and rescue in space!






Picture above is something that NASA should have done 10 years ago, after the break up of USSR and after the discovery of Energia rocket booster of former USSR; use the rocket to propel space shuttle (or NSS) to the moon!




FLIGHT PLAN WITHOUT ISS



Even if the ISS were no longer operational, believe to be in year 2020 but when you already have the
moon base and its airport and also when you use the Energia rocket booster, the flight plan is pretty much similar with the 1st mentioned before. The different is that you now can make landing and take

off at the moon!

  1. NSS launch from earth after jettisoned with Energia rocket booster.
  2. After refuel, NSS will circle earth to reach earth orbit speed (28,000km/h).
  3. After reach orbit speed and saw moon, NSS will fire main engine to reach speed of 40,000km/h (main engine thrust + earth orbit speed + 2 external booster). By applying maximum thrust @ 80% (not 100% full thrust) for main engine thrust and 2 external booster thrust, plus earth orbit speed is enough to bring the NSS speed of 40,000km/h.
  4. After reaching desired speed (40,000km/h), the astronaut shut down the main engine + 2 external boosters. This is because lack of gravity means that it can use its inertial force / momentum to bring the NSS to the moon.
  5. NSS retro rocket to match moon orbit speed. At this point, NSS arrive at moon and orbit the moon.
  6. NSS landing on the moon with the moon base and its airport available.
  7. NSS take off on the moon with the moon base and its airport available.
  8. Finish mission, NSS fire again main engine & return to earth at same speed to reach the moon. The method of engine usage is same as no. 4. (Main engine thrust + 2 external boosters + moon gravity effect).
  9. NSS returns and circle earth twice to reduce speed & slowly began the process for re-entry to earth.
  10. Finally, see the red dot, the NSS return to earth.



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