Artemis Base Camp
For a sustained presence with emphasis on mobility to allow astronauts to explore more of the Moon and conduct more science.
Modules
LTV (Lunar Terrain Vehicle)
- Function: A lunar terrain vehicle or LTV, to transport crew around the landing zone.
HMP (Habitable Mobility Platform)
- Function: Station on the surface of the Moon enable crews to take trips across the Moon lasting up to 45 days. With robotic arm.
- Contractor: ?
- Launch vehicle: ?
- Launch planning: 2029 (Artemis VII).
SH (Foundational Surface Habitat)
- Function: Station for four crew members for the preparation of missions to Mars.
- Contractor: ?
- Launch vehicle: ?
- Launch planning: 2031 (Artemis IX).
NASA aims to set up a crewed outpost near the moon’s south pole, calling it “our first foothold on the lunar frontier.” The ingredients for that encampment, known as Artemis Base Camp, are an unpressurized rover to transport suited astronauts around the site; a pressurized rover to enable long-duration treks away from the outpost; and the surface habitat itself, which will be capable of housing four humans at a time. This home-away-from-home demands a lot of infrastructure such as communications, power, radiation shielding, waste disposal and storage space, too. All of these domicile niceties, NASA planners say, are requirements for a sustained human presence on the moon that can be revisited and built upon over the coming decades.
Footnote
- Sources: Aerospace dashboard, funkystuff.org
- Outgoing: NASA
- Keywords: Moon Base, Lunar Base, Moon Base Camp