Payload Dispensers bring payloads to LEO on ELVs. They provide a common interface with the Lunar Landers, rendezvous and dock with Lunar Landers, and transfer their payloads to Lunar Landers in LEO for transport to the lunar surface. Payload Dispensers are then discarded and enter the Earth's atmosphere after a single use.
Payload Dispensers do not have a rocket engine. They contain an AR&D system for rendezvous and docking, an Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) to reach their designated locations in LEO for rendezvous with a Lunar Lander, and an Attitude Control System (ACS) to achieve proper attitude for docking. |
A Payload Dispenser spacecraft with payload on top of its payload carrier.
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