Designing a Spacecraft any tips?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design of a lunar-capable spacecraft intended to carry 8-10 crew members and support various missions, including lunar lander deployment and space station construction in low Earth orbit (LEO). Participants explore technical challenges, design considerations, and personal experiences related to rocketry and spacecraft design.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their project as a passion project still in the design phase, facing challenges with fitting a LOx/LH2 fuel system into a specified space.
  • Another participant suggests defining mission requirements to guide the design process, emphasizing the importance of mission clarity.
  • Concerns are raised about the feasibility of launching a spacecraft of the proposed size (15 by 30 feet) from Earth's surface, with comparisons made to the Saturn V rocket.
  • Some participants question the aerodynamic demands of using the same vehicle for both LEO and lunar missions, highlighting potential design conflicts.
  • There are discussions about the practicality of building a full-scale version of the spacecraft and the financial implications involved.
  • One participant proposes starting with a smaller model rocket to gain experience before attempting a larger design.
  • Clarifications are sought regarding the intended use of the vehicle and the specifics of the fuel system design.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the feasibility and design of the spacecraft, with no consensus reached on the best approach or specific design elements. Some emphasize the need for practical steps and smaller-scale projects, while others focus on the ambitious goals of the full-scale design.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in the information provided, such as the lack of details on mission goals and fuel consumption statistics for the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs). The discussion reflects a variety of assumptions and conditions regarding the design and operational capabilities of the proposed spacecraft.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in rocketry, spacecraft design, and aerospace engineering may find the discussion relevant, particularly those exploring similar passion projects or seeking advice on technical challenges in spacecraft development.

HellRanger2558
I've been working on this passion project for a couple of years now and was wondering if you guys have any tips all I can say right now is.Its lunar capable,going to carry 8-10 crew and 2 landers or cargo,reusable,and easily modifiable for Earth orbit operations.
 
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HellRanger2558 said:
I've been working on this passion project for a couple of years now and was wondering if you guys have any tips all I can say right now is.Its lunar capable,going to carry 8-10 crew and 2 landers or cargo,reusable,and easily modifiable for Earth orbit operations.
Welcome to the PF. :smile:

What's a Passion Project?

Since you have been working on it for a copule of years, can you post a summary of your work so far? That would be the best way to start out your thread asking for comments...
 
It's a project I do just because I enjoy it and I'm pretty much still in the designing phase I finished gathering information I needed I'm having a issue making a LOx/LH2 fuel system fit into a 15 by 30 ft space.

Btw I'm still in high school so there is still a lot I don't know so don't expect it to be perfect
 
Do you have a rocketry club at your school or in the nearby area? If not, maybe try to start one. :smile:
 
berkeman said:
Do you have a rocketry club at your school or in the nearby area? If not, maybe try to start one. :smile:
I live in a small farming town and most of my classmates look at me like I'm a nutjob when I start getting into talking about rocket engines so I don't think that's going to happen
 
Define the mission(s), design to meet the mission requirements. Space horse before space cart.
 
If you intend to launch from the Earth's surface, then it sounds like you are designing your own Saturn V. They were quite a bit bigger than 15 x 30 feet, IIRC. It takes a lot of energy, IOW fuel, to get up to orbit, and chemical propellants are rather bulky. It might be more doable if you were willing to launch from low Earth orbit.
 
The laser-launching system would be nice if it should actually ever work. Lasers stay on Earth while the ship goes up.
 
Basically it's going to be a shuttle type craft mounted to a SLS type rocket the missions would be space station construction in LEO or lunar orbit also lunar lander deployment the Shuttle-SLS idea is just a baseline of what I'm thinking.And for Leo operations the core stage would be replaced with a ET and SRB's
 
  • #10
You intend to use the same type of vehicle to ascend to orbit and to do lunar missions? Obviously getting up to orbit, and particularly returning using atmospheric braking, puts stringent aerodynamic demands on the vehicle that would not apply to LEO-lunar missions. And sorry, what's an ET?
 
  • #11
HellRanger2558 said:
I've been working on this passion project for a couple of years now and was wondering if you guys have any tips all I can say right now is.Its lunar capable,going to carry 8-10 crew and 2 landers or cargo,reusable,and easily modifiable for Earth orbit operations.
That's all well and good, but you won't be able to actually create (fully build a working model) a lunar capable rocket carrying 8-10 crew members by yourself. Designing for theory is all well and good, but there will be things you have overlooked.

If you are passionate about rocketry and space, as I think you are, then maybe try designing your own model rocket. Call it a small scale prototype. One must walk before they can run. By building a rocket and evaluating its usage, you will likely learn some things that you can incorporate into your passion project. :)
 
  • #12
@HellRanger2558, apply for an internship at SpaceX and impress Elon Musk! :wink:
 
  • #13
sandy stone said:
You intend to use the same type of vehicle to ascend to orbit and to do lunar missions? Obviously getting up to orbit, and particularly returning using atmospheric braking, puts stringent aerodynamic demands on the vehicle that would not apply to LEO-lunar missions. And sorry, what's an ET?
A external tank and SLS SRB's similar to the space shuttle design for LEO missions and some kind of first stage rocket for lunar operations like the SLS core stage.
 
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  • #14
sandy stone said:
If you intend to launch from the Earth's surface, then it sounds like you are designing your own Saturn V. They were quite a bit bigger than 15 x 30 feet, IIRC. It takes a lot of energy, IOW fuel, to get up to orbit, and chemical propellants are rather bulky. It might be more doable if you were willing to launch from low Earth orbit.
The 15 by 30 system is for transearth injection and maybe lunar orbit circulation.I'm wondering if that's enough space to power the 3 SSME's for a worthwhile burn or do i need a different design?
 
  • #15
Vitro said:
@HellRanger2558, apply for an internship at SpaceX and impress Elon Musk! :wink:
A high school student with a 2.0 gpa? I would get laughed out of the room i appreciate the confidence though! My plan is to enlist in the army,get my aerospace degree with my gi bill,and try to join NASA hopefully.
 
  • #16
HellRanger2558 said:
The 15 by 30 system is for transearth injection and maybe lunar orbit circulation.I'm wondering if that's enough space to power the 3 SSME's for a worthwhile burn or do i need a different design?
You arent giving us nearly enough information. what's your end goal with "designing" this
 
  • #17
In really dumbed down terms?I basically trying to make a lunar capable space shuttle and have it available to do LEO missions as well with easy modifications.For the lunar configuration think of a space shuttle slapped onto the slide of a SLS for now.
 
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  • #18
HellRanger2558 said:
In really dumbed down terms?I basically trying to make a lunar capable space shuttle and have it available to do LEO missions as well with easy modifications.For the lunar configuration think of a space shuttle slapped onto the slide of a SLS for now.
youve said that...
are you just doing high level conceptual. are you trying to build a model, are you trying to build a full scale working version
 
  • #19
Trying for a full scale version but I'm still in the very early stages such as aerodynamic testing and the such mainly I came here because I couldn't find the fuel consumption stats for the SSME's and was wondering if the 15ft fuel system would even be worth it or not enough for a good burn.i apologize for being very vague.
 
  • #20
Full scale you say? Do you have a LOT of money for materials and to hire peeps to help build it? Agree with Noisy, baby steps, horse before the cart.

dmac257
 

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