8.2 Development Status [2, 3]
271
Fig. 8.3 Schematic of ascent propulsion subsystem of Apollo lunar module
The Altair the lunar lander was an important part of Constellation program initiated by the United States to return to Moon in the beginning of twenty-first century.
The Altair the lunar lander consisted of ascent and descent stages. While the reliability for manned space mission was considered, the pressurized Liquid O 2 /Liquid H 2
bi-propellant propulsion subsystems were applied in the ascent and descent stages.
The main engine of ascent stage was a 24.5 kN AJ-10 modified engine. The descent
propulsion subsystem consisted of 8 cryogenic tanks (4 Liquid O- tanks and 4 for
Liquid H 2 tanks), while the main engines were 4 × 83 kN RL-10 modified Liquid
O 2 /Liquid H 2 bi-propellant engines with specific impulse of 444.4~451.0 s and mixed
ratio of 5.1~5.5 for LOI and powered descent.
271
Fig. 8.3 Schematic of ascent propulsion subsystem of Apollo lunar module
The Altair the lunar lander was an important part of Constellation program initiated by the United States to return to Moon in the beginning of twenty-first century.
The Altair the lunar lander consisted of ascent and descent stages. While the reliability for manned space mission was considered, the pressurized Liquid O 2 /Liquid H 2
bi-propellant propulsion subsystems were applied in the ascent and descent stages.
The main engine of ascent stage was a 24.5 kN AJ-10 modified engine. The descent
propulsion subsystem consisted of 8 cryogenic tanks (4 Liquid O- tanks and 4 for
Liquid H 2 tanks), while the main engines were 4 × 83 kN RL-10 modified Liquid
O 2 /Liquid H 2 bi-propellant engines with specific impulse of 444.4~451.0 s and mixed
ratio of 5.1~5.5 for LOI and powered descent.