Cislunar Transporter Explained

Cislunar Transporter
Manufacturer:Lockheed Martin
Country:United States
Spacecraft Type:Space tug, orbital propellant depot
Length:34m (112feet)

Lockheed Martin is to design and operate a reusable space tug called the Cislunar Transporter as part of the Blue Moon architecture.[1] The Cislunar Transporter consists of two parts, a tug, with 3 BE-7 engines, and a tanker, which are each to be launched on a New Glenn carrier rocket before docking together to form a single vehicle. After these components are assembled, the vehicle is then to be fueled by New Glenn upper stages transferring liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants. The transporter will then travel to near-rectilinear halo orbit, where it is to dock to and fuel the Blue Moon lander. Lockheed Martin has suggested that the Cislunar Transporter could also be used to service other customers. The same zero-boil-off system intended for Blue Moon will also be present on the Transporter.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Foust . Jeff . 2023-05-19 . NASA selects Blue Origin to develop second Artemis lunar lander . 2023-05-20 . SpaceNews . en-US.
  2. Web site: Lockheed To Develop Hefty Space Transporter For Blue Origin Lander Aviation Week Network . 2024-07-02 . aviationweek.com.