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Void

Member

Registered: 2011-12-29

Posts: 7,635

Re: The Moon

To go further with the last post, I would think that if it is intended that 100 people could go to Mars in a Starship, then such a Starship Moon Orbiter, might be able to host 4 people in life support long term. 

In the event of an Orion Capsule failure, then the persons might be able to stay with the Starship as it would make several passes of the Earth's atmosphere.  The Van Allen Belts though could present a challenge to their health, but they might be able to endure it with a storm shelter.  If the Starship could attain an elliptical refilling orbit, then they might be extracted from the ship by some means.

Under the circumstances, it becomes apparent to me that it might be desirable to have thrusters from the Dragon System on the Starship as well, as these could be used to do a boost back from the Moon and could also be used in multiple passes of the Earth's atmosphere.

Such a method might allow for not only refilling the Starship in an Elliptical orbit, but perhaps doing minor repairs such as the heat shield.  So, then a Starship might make figure 8's from Earth orbit to Moon orbit several times before needing to land on the Earth or before being converted to space station materials.

The Dragon Landers could be tested with humanoid Robots before actually validating it for human landings and assents.

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Last edited by Void (Yesterday 12:01:20)

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