During the Apollo program, there was a debate for Earth Orbit Rendezvous (EOR) and Lunar Orbit Rendezvous (LOR). We all know that LOR was chosen and the program was successful.
After more than half a century, things have changed considerably. Now we have reusable rockets that deploy payload to LEO more than 3 times a week. Building very large rockets is not an easy task. Mass manufacturing them is way harder. It’s best to assemble a high energy mission rocket in Earth Orbit.
I propose a LEO Assembled Rocket design. There will be several modules in the process.
- The Base Module: It acts as the basis for the rocket assembly. The module would contain thrusters to maneuver the hole rocket assembly for each module attachment rendezvous.
- The Engine Module: It has the liquid propulsion engine with a small propellant tank.
- The Propellant Tanks: Depending on the mission, several tanks would be cascaded on top of the engine module.
- Planetary Transfer Module: Depending on the mission it would be deployed in two sections. Descent only or Descent and Ascent Modules.
- The Payload: The payload of the mission.
In orbit rocket assembly allows un-aerodynamic rocket design. The thruster would be strapped next to the Payload section. Allowing stages to be added to the main thruster without affecting the payload placement.
With my design, consumed propellant tanks would be ejected once they run out of fuel. The pressurizing gas inside the tanks would be used to eject the empty tanks. As a result, multi stage thrust would be achieved by a single engine and multiple tanks.
I propose this design to be tested and perfected on Moon missions first before being used on planetary missions.
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