THE POTENTIAL OF VARIOUS APPROACHES FOR MANNED LUNARLANDING MISSIONS AS MEASURED BY LAUNCH WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS

摘要

A review is made of various techniques (Direct, Earth Orbit Rendezvous, Lunar Orbit Rendezvous, Libration Point Rendezvous) for accomplishing the manned Lunar Landing mission. With the use of high energy on-board propellants a minimal manned Lunar landing mission is shown to be possible with a booster capable of placing 32, 000 pounds in 300 m. mi altitude Earth orbit via the following combinations:n(1) Earth Orbit Rendezvous with 4 launches;n(2) Combined Lunar Orbit Rendezvous Earth Orbit Rendezvous with 2 launches:n(3) Combined Libration Point Rendezvous Earth Orbit Rendezvous with launches.nThe relative efficiency of the various approaches is shown to depend upon the ratio of weights landed on the Moon (as with a Lunar Excursion Module) to weights returned to Earth (as with the main vehicle). If the Lunar ferry weight is small, the Libration Point Rendezvous approach is most efficient; if a heavy Lunar ferry is required, the use of Earth Orbit Rendezvous and no ferry may be most efficient. The Libration Point Rendezvous approach is suggested to deserve further attention.