Saturday, May 25, 2019

NASA Chooses Maxar to Build 1st Element for Artemis Lunar Gateway


The power and propulsion element provides a communications relay capability for NASA's Gateway, enabling it to serve as a mobile command and service module for human and robotic expeditions to the lunar surface.  Credits: NASA
Ken Kremer -- SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM – 24 May 2019
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL –  NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced that Maxar Technologies has been chosen to build the first element of the Artemis programs Lunar Gateway project  – namely the Power and Propulsion Element or PPE – that will power the future lunar orbiting mini station.  

“The power and propulsion element is the foundation of Gateway and a fine example of how partnerships with U.S. companies can help expedite NASA’s return to the Moon with the first woman and next man by 2024,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine during a May 23 speech at the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL. 

“It will be the key component upon which we will build our lunar Gateway outpost, the cornerstone of NASA’s sustainable and reusable Artemis exploration architecture on and around the Moon.”
The power and propulsion element of NASA's Gateway is a high-power, 50-kilowatt solar electric propulsion spacecraft – three times more powerful than current capabilities. Credits: NASA

“It will be the key component upon which we will build our lunar Gateway outpost, the cornerstone of NASA’s sustainable and reusable Artemis exploration architecture on and around the Moon.”

The PPE will serve as a communications relay reusable command and service module where astronaut crew flying in NASA’s Orion deep space capsule can dock on their way to the lunar surface and back, Bridenstine said during remarks at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on May 23, attended by Space UpClose. 

Furthermore the PPE enables landings on all areas of the moon including the lunar south pole for Project Artemis whereas NASA’s Project Apollo was limited to more equatorial regions.

NASA’s firm-fixed price contract with Maxar, formerly SSL, in Westminster, Colorado, is valued at $375 million. 
Artist’s illustration of NASA’s planned Gateway station in lunar orbit, showing the outpost’s core power and propulsion module, a small habitation module, a lunar lander, and an approaching Orion crew capsule. Credit: NASA
The PPE module is scheduled for launch by late 2022 on a commercial rocket that is yet to be selected.

NASA can significantly cut cost by using commercial providers for both hardware and launch services. 

The power and propulsion element is a high-power, 50-kilowatt solar electric propulsion spacecraft – three times more powerful than current capabilities,” according to NASA.

“As a mobile command and service module, the Gateway provides a communications relay for human and robotic expeditions to the lunar surface, starting at the Moon’s South Pole.”
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and KSC Director Bob Cabana outline NASA’s Lunar Gateway and Project Artemis lunar landing program by the countdown clock at the Kennedy Space Center on May 23, 2019. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com
Initially the PPE will be fully owned and operated by Maxar for up to 1 year, said Bridenstine.
Thereafter NASA will have the option to acquire the spacecraft for use as the first element of the Gateway.

NASA is also in the process of contracting for the second Gateway element – a small habitation and utilization module with multiple docking ports. 

“Charged with returning to the Moon within five years, NASA’s lunar exploration plans are based on a two-phase approach: the first is focused on speed – landing on the Moon by 2024 – while the second will establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon by 2028. We then will use what we learn on the Moon to prepare to send astronauts to Mars.”
Watch for Ken’s continuing onsite coverage of NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and more space and mission reports direct from the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida and Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia.

Stay tuned here for Ken's continuing Earth and Planetary science and human spaceflight news: www.kenkremer.com –www.spaceupclose.com – twitter @ken_kremer – email: ken at kenkremer.com

Dr. Kremer is a research scientist and journalist based in the KSC area, active in outreach and interviewed regularly on TV and radio about space topics.

………….

Ken’s photos are for sale and he is available for lectures and outreach events

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine outlines NASA’s lunar gateway and PPE element at FIT on May 23, 2019. Screenshot Credit: NASA/ Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com


No comments:

Post a Comment