Reference Mission Outline

This is an outline of the components of the Reference Mission and the following couple of flights. It was developed with the entertainment aspect of the mission in mind, so the focus is more on a shopping list for artwork than for technical esoterica.

Reference Mission

• Launch (maybe divide up the launch sequence)
• On-Orbit Assembly
• Translunar Injection
• Lunar Orbit Insertion (and crew transfer to the landing stack)
• Descent and Landing
• Lunar Surface Operations
  • Deploy the lunar base
  • Check out the ascent stage (in case it's needed quickly)
  • Inspect suits and EVA systems
  • Check out lunar base life support systems, and everything else
  • Set up mining robot
  • Set up O2 pilot plant
  • Set up (probably refurbish) exploration robots
  • Housekeeping on the moon
    • Cooking and Eating
      The main point to make here is that in 1/6 g, even mundane activities will be an adventure.
    • Tending the Plants
    • Taking a Shower
    • Sleeping
    • EVA Prep
    • Recreation
    • Phoning home through cyberspace
    • Looking back at Mother Earth
  • Visual Astronomy, just for the fun of it
  • Exploring and surveying
  • Sample collecting
  • Configuring the Lunar Base for Autonomous Operation
  • Packing for the trip home (don't forget the rocks)
• Ascent (a subject all by itself since the ascent stage is so cool)
• Rendezvous with the LTV
• Transearth Injection
• Arrival in Earth Orbit
• Configuring the Lunar Transfer Vehicle for Earth Orbit Operations
• Transporting the Crew Home

Mission #2