tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062571400334852082.post5836515418538853954..comments2015-03-06T12:15:29.825-08:00Comments on Armchair engineering: Low Cost Lunar Missions; To the moon with Ariane 6Marijn Molemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374646748718489690noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062571400334852082.post-50814076724549312352013-11-11T05:11:19.105-08:002013-11-11T05:11:19.105-08:00I did consider Ariane 5. However, it would require...I did consider Ariane 5. However, it would require two or three launches rather than four, and one Ariane 5 launch costs about $200-220 million, while two Ariane 6 launchers would cost about $185 million. There's a significantly lower recurring cost using A6, and recurring costs will be very important in a sustainable lunar program. <br /><br />The 15 ton payloads also have the advantage of being light enough to be lifted into orbit by Skylon, should that ever turn into reality. This would bring costs down even more. 24 ton payloads would require a redesign in order to work with Skylon, and considering ESA's interest in Skylon, I think it's a possibility real enough to take into account.Marijn Molemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10374646748718489690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8062571400334852082.post-70207245079899139622013-11-10T21:47:39.647-08:002013-11-10T21:47:39.647-08:00Thanks for that. I agree a manned return to the Mo... Thanks for that. I agree a manned return to the Moon can be done much more cheaply by going small rather than by using a super heavy lift vehicle, such as the SLS.<br /> Note such a small size mission could also be done by using 2 Ariane 5 ME's at a 24 metric ton (mT) per launch capability, plus a Soyuz or other manned-rated vehicle to carry the crew to LEO.<br /><br /> Bob ClarkRobert Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16114043697010364282noreply@blogger.com