Lunar vehicle assembly and processing on Space Station Freedom

A concept is proposed that permits the accommodation of lunar vehicles on Space Station Freedom (SSF) within the context of the Human Exploration Initiative. The facility required for lunar-vehicle processing is defined with references to the types of support equipment assumed for these tasks. Attention is given to the SSF Assembly Complete, verification of the Lunar Transfer Vehicles (LTVs), and the attachments of reusable vs expendable LTVs. The impact of the assembly and processing operations is delineated with specific qualifications for revising the allowances for vehicle mass and controllability, reboost fuel needs, microgravity activities, and flight attitude. EVA working time is estimated for overhead and truss-assembly operations at about 3 months to support reusable LTV operations on the SSF. An Assembly/Servicing Facility is proposed for these activities with specific hardware options, and a hydrogen-oxygen propulsion system is proposed to make these activities more efficient.