The Lunar Expeditionary Factory
The largest module of the biggest Lunar proposal
My previous article.
I have written before on the Lunar Expeditionary program:
More information has come to light since then, and this post focusses on the factory module. This module had several functions, including:
Biology laboratory, focussed on plant growth
Extracting oxygen from Lunar rocks
Living quarters for one cosmonaut
Here’s the previous view, based on information in the RKK Energia company encyclopaedia:
Note that the cooling system, (not labelled), is a flat panel mounted on top.
It’s not clear to me how the ore is managed:
How does the rock enter without losing air?
How is the unwanted rock waste ejected?
Does the cosmonaut really share living space with stuff to crush and heat rocks?
How is dust managed?
Overall this feels like a conceptual sketch, rather than a proper design.
Here’s my CGI take on the living module of this project:
The New Version:
Please note this post is written covering elements in the order I found them, not in the order they were written.
I’m going to jump right in with my translated / enhanced illustration:
Note that the “heat lightning”/ “Zarnitsa” antenna has no direct equivalent term in English, it refers to distant lightning on the horizon, and presumably references the signal range.
The most obvious difference is that it now has a HUGE parabolic dish on top! 15 metres across, no less. What is going on here?
The description says “radiator reflector”, and after a lot of digging, that explains it. Bizarrely it’s the OUTSIDE that is reflective, and it’s there to protect the heat radiator system from indirect light / heat bouncing off of the lunar surface. That radiator system is a cylindrical tub with ribs, inside the dish.
I can think of no other example of a parabolic reflector that reflects on the outside. And I’m guessing it‘s not that important for the shape to be an accurate paraboloid.
This picture provides more information than the first one I showed, above.
There’s more detail in several sections
The landing block is taller, presumably because of increased weight
The legs are shown more realistically
We have some more dimensions provided
We have three different antennae systems mounted on top
There’s something called an Isotope Gas Turbine mounted outside
So the design is closer to a finished item. But I still have several questions!
What is an Isotope Gas Turbine? What does it look like?
The supports for the rooftop antennae platform look like they would not work. And they pass through the support platform?
Ore management still looks incomplete to me.
How would the huge reflector be installed on the Moon?
Here’s some additional information, translated from the preceding page in the source document:
The laboratory-plant module is designed with maximum utilisation of the elements of construction and systems of the laboratory-residential module.
The general layout of the module is shown in Fig. 13. The design of the pressurised compartment enclosure is similar to the LZhM enclosure and differs in the absence of the central upper superstructure. The hull has appropriate places for mounting the equipment and instruments of the physico-chemical and biotechnical laboratories, oxygen production plant, as well as places for mounting the systems of the module's systems, water, as well as places for mounting of coolant systems, compressor systems, radio communication, radio communication, television, on-board measurements, etc.
Here’s the front page of the source document, 1974, signed by Glushko:
The Oxygen Factory:
The good news is that we have a more detailed schematic for the processing of rock in the oxygen plant.
Please note that in this case, the technical translation was particularly tricky, so there may be errors.
I still don’t see a description of how material gets in and out, without losing air.
My current version CGI model:
Here’s an animation of my current model. I’ve kept the ore intake deliberately in shadow. Also I’ve replaced the antenna supports with something that would pop up, as I assume the platform would be transported flat against the radiator top.
Overall Conclusions:
Despite the high levels of detail in some areas, I’m convinced that much of this work is conceptual, and does not represent a finished design. Particularly ore management, and the antenna platform.
The version first covered in this article probably represents a cut down version, suitable for launch on Energia. Whereas the larger version, with the big reflector would need a Vulkan or RLA-150 rocket to launch it.
Please Remember!
These articles take time and effort to prepare, any support received is VERY welcome. Please visit my Gum Road store: https://starbase1.gumroad.com where you will find plenty of related items, some at “pay what you like” pricing.
These include:
RGANTD Archive dump, for source references.
N1 Soviet Moon Rocket References, for a visual reference on the Czar of Rockets.
Thank you!
This editions Cool Link:
Jatan’s coverage of current lunar exploration is excellent, and he’s particularly strong at covering news that’s NOT from NASA or SpaceX, so there’s plenty that you won’t find easily anywhere else. It’s a substack, so you have all the usual options of receiving news by email of online.
This editions Cool Image:
