Blue Origin Lunar Lander technology

• Feb 4, 2020

• #1

WKTaylor

Well-known member

Sep 24, 2001

4,321

US

Blue Origin appears to be moving quickly from design-to-testing of a high capacity lunar landing capability... article on engine and Video presentation of the 'generic' Lunar lander-base by Jeff Bezos.

https://www.space.com/blue-origin-moon-lander-engine-test-site-afrl-lab.html

Regards, Wil Taylor

o Trust - But Verify!
o We believe to be true what we prefer to be true. [Unknown]
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation,Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", Homebuiltairplanes.com forum]

 

• Feb 4, 2020

• #2

btrueblood

Mechanical

May 26, 2004

10,035

US

Hmm...cryo propulsion for the lander? I guess they won't be staying long.

 

• Feb 19, 2020

• Thread starter
• #3

WKTaylor

Well-known member

Sep 24, 2001

4,321

US

Left over propellants could be useful for life support and other chemical functions.

I wonder if the lander-base will be transformed [re-purposed] for long-term use as a stationary habitation [routine or emergency use), or as an un-inhabited facility/lab?.. or is it ultimately considered 'junk' after landing and deployment of it's payload??

Regards, Wil Taylor

o Trust - But Verify!
o We believe to be true what we prefer to be true. [Unknown]
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation,Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", Homebuiltairplanes.com forum]

 

• Feb 19, 2020

• #4

VEBill

Military

Apr 25, 2002

7,090

CA

"...and returning him safely to the Earth."

 

• Feb 19, 2020

• Thread starter
• #5

WKTaylor

Well-known member

Sep 24, 2001

4,321

US

The entire Apollo LM [descent and assent stages] were 100% disposable/junk after serving their purpose.

I think we need to do 'better' with follow-on landers... since 'one-way lander-bases', without any secondary 're-purpose' [or any way/place to dispose of them], would tend to 'litter-the-landscape' around a permanent lunar base 'fairly quickly'.

Regards, Wil Taylor

o Trust - But Verify!
o We believe to be true what we prefer to be true. [Unknown]
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation,Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", Homebuiltairplanes.com forum]

 

• Feb 19, 2020

• #6

rb1957

Aerospace

Apr 15, 2005

16,144

CA

agreed. The issue will be to refuel in space … not impossible just something "new" … or do we do it already (on ISS) ?

The next new issue will be to use RISU to make the fuel (initially the arriving capsule could bring the lander fuel with it).
but that feels like a long way off.

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

• Feb 19, 2020

• #7

IRstuff

Aerospace

Jun 3, 2002

44,908

US

ISS has been refueled by the Russian transport.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

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• Feb 19, 2020

• #8

rb1957

Aerospace

Apr 15, 2005

16,144

CA

that's what I meant … we have already done on-orbit refueling, so doing it at the Gateway isn't That big of a stretch. but there'll still be new things to learn.

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

• Mar 19, 2020

• #9

TG_eng

Mechanical

Aug 18, 2017

83

US

"most of it is printed"

I'm seeing more and more rocket engines that are 3D printed. It's cool to see what the capabilities of 3D printing can provide for aspects like weight, cooling, etc. I wonder if Blue Origin has their own machines or if they are using existing 3D printers. Are most of these engines done with selective laser sintering/melting?

 

• Apr 27, 2020

• #10

charliealphabravo

Structural

May 7, 2003

796

US

I just went down the youtube rabbit hole on 3D printed engines. I'm still amazed that structural weaknesses which I always assumed were intrinsic to 3D printing are being overcome by temperature treatments and I suppose other types of workarounds.