Lunar Capability Guide – SCM 2008‐005a Page | i 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne CA 90250 • 310.363.6000 • SpaceX.com Copyright 2008 Lunar Capability Guide – SCM 2008‐005a Page | ii 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne CA 90250 • 310.363.6000 • SpaceX.com Copyright 2008 Lunar Capability Guide – SCM 2008‐005a Page | iii Table of Contents 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 2 Launch Overview .................................................................................................................. 1 3 Launch Vehicles .................................................................................................................... 2 3.1 Falcon 1 ......................................................................................................................... 2 3.1.1 Capability .......................................................................................................... 2 3.1.2 Availability ......................................................................................................... 3 3.1.3 ATP to Launch ................................................................................................... 3 3.1.4 Price .................................................................................................................. 3 3.1.5 Fairing ................................................................................................................ 3 3.2 Falcon 1e ....................................................................................................................... 4 3.2.1 Capability .......................................................................................................... 4 3.2.2 Availability ......................................................................................................... 6 3.2.3 ATP to Launch ................................................................................................... 6 3.2.4 Price .................................................................................................................. 6 3.2.5 Fairing ................................................................................................................ 6 3.3 Falcon 9 ......................................................................................................................... 7 3.3.1 Capability .......................................................................................................... 7 3.3.2 Availability ......................................................................................................... 7 3.3.3 ATP to Launch ................................................................................................... 7 3.3.4 Price .................................................................................................................. 8 3.3.5 Fairing ................................................................................................................ 8 4 Launch Facilities .................................................................................................................... 9 5 Services Overview ............................................................................................................... 10 5.1 Standard Services ........................................................................................................ 10 5.2 Non‐standard Services ................................................................................................ 10 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne CA 90250 • 310.363.6000 • SpaceX.com Copyright 2008 Lunar Capability Guide – SCM 2008‐005a Page | 1 1 Introduction A new challenge beyond low Earth orbit has arisen – a return to the Moon. SpaceX is committed to revolutionizing access to space by providing low cost, reliable launch services in an effort to be the catalyst for future development and exploration of space. As innovative concepts driving space‐related commerce mature, this guide was developed to be a lunar planning handbook for SpaceX launch services to the Moon and is a supplement to the launch vehicle‐specific Users Guides available at SpaceX.com. SpaceX currently offers three launch vehicles: Falcon 1, Falcon 1e, and Falcon 9, each having certain cost advantages and capabilities. Outlined in this guide are each vehicle’s performance, availability, and specifications for Trans Lunar flight. Please refer to the specific launch vehicle Users Guides for complete launch environments and system detail. 2 Launch Overview There are numerous ways to utilize SpaceX launch services for lunar missions. Depending on the program requirements, several variables such as time, mass, complexity, and cost can be traded to provide different options for a successful lunar mission. If time is a driving force, spacecraft can be placed directly into a lunar transfer orbit aboard the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, arriving at the lunar injection point within 2‐3 days. However, if budget is of primary concern, the Falcon 1/Falcon 1e can be employed for injection into a Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO). A kick motor on the spacecraft can then provide the necessary delta‐v to complete the Trans Lunar trajectory. Other low‐energy transfers utilizing weak stability boundaries can also be employed if time is not a driving requirement. 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne CA 90250 • 310.363.6000 • SpaceX.com Copyright 2008 Lunar Capability Guide – SCM 2008‐005a Page | 2 3 Launch Vehicles 3.1 Falcon 1 The Falcon 1 launch vehicle offers the lowest price launch on the market, and it has been the pathfinder for all subsequent SpaceX launch vehicles. The Falcon 1 User’s Guide outlines the environments and structural characteristics of the launch vehicle in detail and is available for download on SpaceX.com. 3.1.1 Capability The Falcon 1 launch vehicle is capable of injecting up to 420 kg (924 lbm) into a 185 km circular orbit. Additional trajectories include a range of highly elliptical orbits for proportionally less payload up to 8000 km as shown in Figure 3‐1. By employing a Falcon 1, a lunar‐bound spacecraft equipped with a kick‐motor is capable of reaching sufficient velocities for Trans Lunar Injection (TLI). See Figure 3‐2 for performance to LEO at different altitudes. (lb) (kg) Mass Mass Payload Payload Figure 3‐1: Falcon 1 Highly Elliptical Orbit Performance, based on a 185km circular orbit launched due east (9.1 deg) from SpaceX's Kwajalein Launch Facility 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne CA 90250 • 310.363.6000 • SpaceX.com Copyright 2008 Lunar Capability Guide – SCM 2008‐005a Page | 3 (kg) (lb) Mass Mass Payload Payload Figure 3‐2: Falcon 1 LEO Performance, two‐burn injection 3.1.2 Availability The standard Falcon 1 is currently available until mid 2010, when the upgraded Falcon 1e will become the vehicle for transporting small payloads. 3.1.3 ATP to Launch SpaceX requires authority‐to‐proceed (ATP) 9‐12 months prior to launch, although accelerated timelines may be possible for missions if no changes to the launch vehicle baseline design are required. 3.1.4 Price The base price for a Falcon 1 launch is $7.9M (in Jan 2008 US dollars), which includes standard payload processing and range fees. Standard and non‐ standard services are outlined in Section 5. Additional customer specific payload options and services will be priced as needed. 3.1.5 Fairing The dynamic envelope available for payloads inside the standard Falcon 1 fairing is illustrated in Figure 3‐3. Figure 3‐3: Falcon 1 dynamic envelope with standard fairing, meters [inches] 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne CA 90250 • 310.363.6000 • SpaceX.com Copyright 2008 Lunar Capability Guide – SCM 2008‐005a Page | 4 3.2 Falcon 1e The enhanced Falcon 1, or Falcon 1e, is the next generation of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle and offers additional capability enabled by an upgraded Merlin engine, elongated first stage tank, and an expanded fairing. The following information is based upon the planned vehicle configuration and its anticipated performance. 3.2.1 Capability Falcon 1e is capable of putting just over 1000 kg (2200 lbs) into LEO at 185km circular orbit and proportionally smaller spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit of altitudes up to 25,000 km. After LEO or HEO insertion, a kick motor on the spacecraft could then provide the necessary delta‐v to complete a Trans Lunar trajectory and ultimately put a payload onto the lunar surface. (lb) (kg) Mass Mass Payload Payload Figure 3‐4: Falcon 1e Highly Elliptical Orbit Performance, based on a 185km circular orbit launched due east (9.1 deg) from SpaceX's Kwajalein Launch Facility Figure 3‐5: Falcon 1 and Falcon 1e Upgrade [Units: Feet] 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne CA 90250 • 310.363.6000 • SpaceX.com Copyright 2008 Lunar Capability Guide – SCM 2008‐005a Page | 5 (kg) (lb) Mass Mass Payload Payload Figure 3‐6: Falcon 1e LEO Performance, two‐burn injection (lb) (kg) Mass Mass Payload Payload Figure 3‐7: Falcon 1e Escape Energy Performance, based on launch due east (9.1 deg) from SpaceX's Kwajalein Launch Facility 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne CA 90250 • 310.363.6000 • SpaceX.com Copyright 2008 Lunar Capability Guide – SCM 2008‐005a Page | 6 3.2.2 Availability Falcon 1e launch services are currently being contracted with capacity available beginning in mid‐2010. 3.2.3 ATP to Launch SpaceX requires authority‐to‐proceed (ATP) 9‐12 months prior to launch, although accelerated timelines may be possible for missions if no changes to the launch vehicle baseline design are required. 3.2.4 Price The base price for