Expedition Overview

This diagram gives a brief overview of the Expedition.  Basically, the mission will consist of two separate vehicles, a cargo vessel called the LSV, or Lunar Surface Vehicle, and the crewed lander  called the LTV, or Lunar transfer Vehicle.

Both vehicles are assembled in Low Earth Orbit and use a single High Energy Upper Stage we are developing that will boost the systems into TLI (Trans-Lunar Injection) and send them to the moon.

The LSV goes first, sent on a 90-day low energy, Weak Stability Boundary orbit that will allow a 25% increase of payload to the Lunar surface than more traditional, and familiar, high energy trasnfers.  The cargo includes supplies for an extended stay mission (75 days or more), but also contains two construction robots and the material and systems to create a 3D printed habitat.  Upon landing, the robots will be used to construct the hab and make it airtight.

Upon completion of the hab, and successful systems checkout, the second vehicle will be dispatched.  This is the crewed LTV.  Initially, a booster stage will be launched to LEO.  When it comes time to send the crew, the crew vehicle, consisting of the LTV, a command module and capsule that will return the crew to Eart, and a orbital transfer stage to bring them back from the moon, will be launched to LEO and mated to the booster before being sent to the moon.

More detail can be found at www.rimamarius.com