Thesis Defense by Tom Perrin on November 17th
Space Studies master’s student, Thomas Perrin, will defend his thesis as follows. All Space Studies students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. Please show your support!
When: Tuesday, November 17th at 8:30 a.m. (Central)
Where: Ryan Hall, Room 134 (note room change)
Title: Architecture Study for a Fuel Depot Supplied From Lunar Resources
About the topic: The architecture study sought to determine the optimum architecture for a fuel depot supplied from lunar resources. Four factors – the location of propellant processing (on the Moon or on the depot), the location of the depot (on the Moon or in cislunar space), and if in cislunar space, where (LEO, GEO, or Earth-Moon L1), and the method of propellant transfer (bulk fuel or canister exchange) were combined to identify 18 potential architectures. Two design reference missions (DRMs) – a satellite servicing mission and a cargo mission to Mars – were used to create demand for propellants, while a third DRM – a propellant delivery mission – was used to examine supply issues. The architectures were depicted graphically in a network diagram with individual segments representing the movement of propellant from the Moon to the depot, and from the depot to the customer.
Delta-v and time-of-flight information were developed for each network segment using restricted two-body techniques. Propellant expended was calculated using the rocket equation, while anticipated boiloff was calculated using the Modified Lockheed Model. Chilldown losses were also calculated with respect to bulk fuel transfer. Overall, propellant consumption and losses were calculated in moving propellant to the depot, or in direct delivery to the customer. Similar consumption and losses were calculated for the customer DRMs in performing their missions. The network diagram was then analyzed to determine which architecture satisfied the DRMs for the smallest mass of propellant.
About the presenter: Tom Perrin has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy, and an MS in Systems Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He works as a contractor for NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He has a 25 year history working in military and civil space. His military work includes architecture development for the Army use of space to support tactical operations, and a preliminary design for a tactical reconnaissance satellite. His NASA work includes payload operations for the space shuttle, business development for small and large NASA contractors, and systems engineering for the Hinode Solar Observatory and the Ares I rocket. Tom is currently assigned as a senior ground operations systems engineer supporting the development of the Space Launch System (SLS).
******Those unable to attend in person may view the live webcast******
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