The ™ Artemis Project ARTEMIS PROJECT™ OVERVIEW FACT SHEET FS94001 r21 31 July 1996
The Basic Facts reduced to less than 10% of a similar government-sponsored program. The Artemis Project also reduces its costs by 1. We're going back to the moon. using technology and resources already developed in previous 2. We're doing it as a private venture. manned space flight programs. 3. You can come, too! Our current estimate for the cost of the first flight is about $1.421 billion. Although the goals are unique, this The Project level of investment is quite common in the business world. The Artemis Project is a privately financed commercial For example, one new deep-water oil rig typically costs venture to establish a permanent, self-supporting manned about one billion dollars. lunar base. The first manned flight places a habitat on the moon for permanent occupation. Within a few years after Reference Mission that first landing, regular commercial traffic to the moon Today the project is looking at many options for will be economically viable. launchers and space craft designs for the initial lunar The project will develop lunar resources for profit, to exploration base. We use a reference mission to determine demonstrate that manned space flight is with in the reach of costs, revenues, and technical and political issues. private enterprise and create an environment for the growth Two or more launches put the Artemis Project space of private industry in space. The Artemis Project is unique craft into low Earth orbit, where the components of the among proposals for developing a moon base because it is a moon ship are assembled. The staging base may be the 100% privately financed commercial venture which will International Space Station, a Space Shuttle, or even an place the first element of the lunar base on the moon within assembly fixture unique to the Artemis Project. the next decade, and because it will show a profit from the The lunar transfer vehicle is a small spaceborne habitat first flight to the moon. with propulsion systems and support for the crew during The Artemis Project consists of a team of organizations flight between Earth and Lunar orbits. The flight follows a lead by Artemis Society International, and a team of trajectory almost identical to the Apollo flights. commercial companies lead by The Lunar Resources Company. Costs and Revenues Artemis In short, we plan to pay for the initial stages of the project through shameless commercialism. To most people, space flight is a form of entertainment; Lunar Transfer Vehicle and therein lies the real market value of space development. Upon arrival in lunar orbit, the habitat with its descent The project pays for its initial development primarily by rockets separates from the lunar transfer vehicle and lands on exploiting the entertainment value of the first flights. the surface of the moon. The lunar transfer vehicle remains, The Apollo program was run with engineering unmanned, in lunar orbit while the whole crew descends to precision, its drama hidden by the need to present an the surface with the lunar base. unflagging image of confidence to the world. In contrast, On the moon, the crew levels the lunar base habitat and the Artemis Project is designed to be entertaining from the reconfigures it permanent operation. On their first trip start; but it retains an appeal which sets the project apart outside, they set up power systems, radiators, and antennas. from science fiction—the Artemis Project is real. Compared to all we have done in space, the economic power of the entertainment industry is staggering. Based on comparison to mass-marketing ventures which tie movies and television shows in with merchandising programs, the market value of the first flight from all sources is significantly greater than its cost. Ar t emis Previous moon base studies have based their cost models on the performance of government projects and assumed revenues would come only after decades of development. High capital costs and the long time before break-even have madeit impossible for private enterprise to finance a manned space venture. However, by using standard During a week-long visit to the moon, the crew assays commercial aerospace business practices, costs can be the area near the landing site and gathersamples of the lunar ©1996 Lunar Resources. "The Artemis Project" is a trademark of the Lunar Resources Company. This paper may be freely distributed as long as copyright and trademark notices are intact. This paper is available by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Artemis Society International, P.O. Box 4878, Huntsville, AL 35815. Email
Artemis Society Membership
Artemis Society dues are $25 per year until December 31, 1996; $35 thereafter. You may pay additional years' dues in advance at the current rate. All prices in American funds.
Enclosed is $ ______dues for ______years membership in the Artemis Society. Please make checks payable to Artemis Society International. Name
Artemis Society International Address P.O.Box 4878 City State Zip Huntsville, AL 35815 Phone USA Email