Propulsion for the lunar mission

Abstract

The paper describes the selection process utilized by NASA during the conduct of the 90-day study of the mission set that is known as the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). It is directed specifically toward propulsion system definition and selection, with emphasis on the proposed Lunar Transfer Vehicle and the Lunar Exploration Vehicle. Results of trade studies show that selection cannot be readily made on the basis of engine performance alone, because the cost of launching hardware elements and the required propellant are very high. A decision must be made to use either life-cycle costs or annual program costs as the economic figure of merit, because they drive the selection in opposite directions.