Lunar Transportation Systems - Emerging Technologies

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Emerging Technologies

The LTS transportation system is made possible by the development of a small fleet of reusable spacecraft that can transport cryogenic propellants to any relatively stable location in cislunar space to refuel Lunar Landers on their way to and from the Moon. The LTS system does not require the development of new heavy-lift boosters but does require the use of six emerging technologies.

	Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking The LTS system uses an autonomous rendezvous and docking system to transfer payloads and cryogenic propellant tanks.

	Autonomous Payload Transfer The LTS system uses an autonomous payload transfer system to transfer lunar payloads from Payload Dispensers to Lunar Landers in LEO.

	Autonomous Propellant Tank Transfer The LTS system uses an autonomous propellant tank transfer system capable of transferring propellant tanks in LEO and in cislunar space.

	Autonomous Propellant Tank Tapping The LTS system uses a propellant tank tapping system that enables Lunar Landers to tap into full propellant tanks in cislunar space.

	Autonomous Lunar Landing The LTS system uses an autonomous lunar landing system that enables the Lunar Landers to land accurately on the lunar surface.

	Autonomous Payload Offload The LTS system uses an autonomous payload offload system that lowers payloads from the top of Lunar Lander spacecraft to the lunar surface.