Among the possible contributions of Europe to a global Lunar exploration infrastructure, a Lunar Logistic System, based on a lunar lander vehicle, has been identified.Such a vehicle would be launched directly to Lunar Transfer Orbit (LTO) by Ariane 5, it would then be decelerated in the vicinity of the Moon by a braking stage, and afterwards would perform soft precision landing on the Moon surface, a precision which would allow it to reach a designated landing area in the vicinity of the Lunar Outpost or any other point of interest. The lander would use a throttlable descent engine and a specific descent and landing guidance system. The lander would be designed to enable easy unloading operations, either automatically or with support from the crew on the Lunar Surface. It would be able to transport freight (consumables, space parts, robotic elements, science instruments, other outpost components) to the Lunar Surface, on the basis of a standardized mechanical and structural, pallet-type, payload interface, and to provide the necessary resources to its payload (power, communications for instance). As an example, an element of interest to transport with such a Lunar Logistic System could be the Small Pressurized Rover which is currently considered by NASA to support crewed exploration for distances beyond 10 km from the Lunar Outpost. At the end of its life the lander could be scavenged for components or disposed of in a safe manner.The Lunar Logistic System could also be used for independent European missions, such as the installation of robotic scientific instruments on the Moon.The payload mass available on the lunar surface would depend from the version of Ariane 5 which is used, either the current Ariane 5 ECA, or future versions such as Ariane 5 ME. It would be at least of 1,500 kg. A ten year development plan, including a demonstration mission by the middle of next decade, could allow the Lunar Logistic System to be operational by 2020, on time for the initial crewed operations on the lunar surface. This Lunar Logistic System would be a valuable European contribution, and would allow through a barter arrangement, access of European crew to the Lunar surface using the Orion / Altair / Ares transportation infrastructure.
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