When astronauts finally walk on the moon again, they could be in for a long stay – as Lockheed Martin has shown off a giant lunar lander built for two-week stints.
The 46-foot single-stage lander is twice as tall as the Lunar Module used on the Apollo missions – and can carry four astronauts (twice as many as Apollo’s Module).
Lockheed Martin’s lunar lander would be able to remain on the moon for up to fourteen days – ferrying astronauts back and forth from a space station.
The lander would work alongside NASA’s planned Deep Space Gateway space station, allowing astronauts to visit the moon quickly and for long periods.
After each visit to the lunar surface, the lander would fire up its engines and fly back to Deep Space Gateway to return the astronauts, and refuel.
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Lisa Callahan, vice president and general manager of Commercial Civil Space at Lockheed Martin Space said, ‘’NASA asked industry for innovative and new approaches to advance America’s goal of returning humans to the Moon, and establishing a sustainable, enduring presence there.
‘This is a concept that takes full advantage of both the Gateway and existing technologies to create a versatile, powerful lander that can be built quickly and affordably.
‘This lander could be used to establish a surface base, deliver scientific or commercial cargo, and conduct extraordinary exploration of the Moon.’