PropellantPropellant DepotDepot
BernardBernard KutterKutter UnitedUnited LaunchLaunch AllianceAlliance
AIAA_JPC080309 Copyright © 2009 United Launch Alliance, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Propellant Depots Enable New Missions
30
25
20 Prop
Lunar Surface Lunar Transfer
15 Dual-Launch with Depot 10 Solar Probe + Pluto NH Pluto + Probe Solar Mass Payload (mT)
5 or GSO Trans Mars Atlas 551 0 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 Earth Escape Energy (C3)
Large Missions Enabled without Developing Brand New Rocket Atlas 552 Delta IV Heavy
AIAA_JPC080309 | 1 Depots Can Enhance CxP Ares V Architecture
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20
15
10
5 Prop Lunar Payload Increase Increase Payload Lunar (mT) Transfer With Cryo 0 Xfer 0 20 40 60 80 EDS Propellant Mass Beyond ESAS Baseline (mT)
Propellant Depots Provide Exploration Flexibility to Accommodate Performance Needs EDS/Altair Orion
AIAA_JPC080309 | 2 Depots Enable Alternate Architectures
Lunar Orbit Rendezvous
123126 Propellant Depot 80% of Launch Mass
Propellant Propellant Transfer Transfer
Atlas V 402
Altair Atlas V Delta IV Scorpius Falcon 9 Commercial 110t Competitive Propellant Launch Orion
AIAA_JPC080309 | 3 Propellant Depots Can Revolutionize Launch Market
Exploration Represents Vast New Launch Market Depots Stimulate Competitive Launch Market Supports Robust Healthy US Launch Industry 700
600
CxP Hardware 500
400
300
CxP Propellant 200
Historic Non-Shuttle/Exploration Launch Market
LEO Launch Launch LEO Mass (mT) 100
0 1 2 3 4 Annual Lunar Missions
AIAA_JPC080309 | 4 Upper Stage Experience Enables Depots
Depots Derived from Existing Upper Stages Support Near-Term Application
Centaur-Derived “Disposable” Depot
Historic Space Station Depot Paradigm Single Fluid Depot
AIAA_JPC080309 | 5 Depot Technologies are Mature
Upper Stage Cryo-Fluid Management Directly Applicable to Propellant Depots Cryo Transfer Technology TRL 0-G Settled Pressure Control 4 9 Ullage & Liquid Stratification 3 9 Propellant Acquisition 3 9 Mass Gauging 3 9 Propellant Expulsion Efficiency 3 8 ULA System Chilldown 8 8 800
600 AR&D 7 7
400 Transfer System Operation 3 6
200 Fluid Coupling 6 6 Cryo-Upper Stage Cryo-Upper Stage
Operating Time(ksec) Operating 0 Passive Long Duration Storage 5 5 Centaur Delta Ariane
AIAA_JPC080309 | 6 Summary
Propellant Depots Create Vast New Launch Market –Stimulate Commercial Space Flight Capability –Increased Launch Demand Supports Healthy Robust Launch Industry
Joint Utilization of Flight-Proven Systems by NASA, DoD & Commercial Provides a Safe, Affordable & Sustainable Approach to Exploration –Leverages Existing Investments & Reduces Annual Standalone Lien
Atlas V & Delta IV Provide Proven Foundation for Reliable, Affordable & Sustainable Launch –Reduced Launch Vehicle Investment Allows Enhanced Investment in Innovation
ULA is Prepared to Support the NASA & the Nation
AIAA_JPC080309 | 7