The Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle European Service Module: a European Contribution to Human Exploration

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the system and subsystem configuration of the MPCV European Service Module (ESM) at Preliminary Design Review (PDR) stage as well as its perspectives of utilisation within the global space exploration endeavour. The MPCVESM is a cylindrical module with a diameter of 4500 mm and a total length -main engine excluded -of 2700 mm. It is fitted with four solar array wings with a span of 18.8 m. Its dry mass is 3.5 metric tons and it can carry 8.6 tons of propellant. The main functions of the European Service Module are to bring the structural continuity between the launcher and the crew module, to provide propulsion to the MPCV, to ensure its thermal control as well as electrical power and to store water, oxygen and nitrogen for the mission. The current agreement foresees the development and production by Europe of one flight model, with an option for a second one. This module will be assembled in Europe and delivered to NASA in 2016. It will be used for a flight of the MPCV Orion in December 2017. Nomenclature ACS= Auxiliary Control System ATCS = Active Thermal Control System 2 CM = Crew Module CMA = Crew Module Adapter CSM = Crew and Service Module CSS = Consumable Storage System ESA = European Space Agency ESM = European Service Module HDRS = Hold Down and Release System LAS = Launch Abort System MDPS = Micrometeoroid/Debris Protection Shield MMOD = Micrometeoroid/Orbital Debris MPCV = Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle OMS-E = Orbital Manoeuvring System Engine PIE = Propulsion Isolation Equipment R&R = Retention & Release RCS = Reaction Control System SA = Spacecraft Adapter SADM = Solar Array Drive Mechanism SAJ = Spacecraft Adapter Jettisoned panels SAW = Splar Array Wings SLS = Space Launch System TVC = Thrust Vector Control

Green bipropellant development – A study on the hypergolicity of imidazole thiocyanate ionic liquids with hydrogen peroxide in an automated drop test setup

“…50 years ago, hypergolic propellants were used for the Apollo spacecraft to go to the moon and back as well as for the lunar module landing and ascent into orbit [1]. Nowadays hypergolic propellants are used to return to the moon, a typical example being the European service module of the Orion spacecraft [2]. The conventional flight proven hypergolic propellants use hydrazine or its derivatives as fuel and an oxidizer based on dinitrogen tetroxide (NTO).…”

Evolution of MPCV Service Module Propulsion and GN&C Interface Requirements between Constellation and European Service Module

“…The prime contractor for the ESM is Airbus Defense and Space (AD&S). [1][2][3] In addition to the planned flight test, Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1), MPCV currently has two primary missions: Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) in 2017/2018 and EM-2 in 2021. The EM-1 mission, described in more detal later in this paper, is the first uncrewed MPCV mission to a Lunar Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) for six days and is the first SLS launch.…”

Plume Impingement Analysis for the European Service Module Propulsion System

“…The European Space Agency (ESA) is partnering in the effort by developing and providing the Service Module (SM) for the MPCV architecture. 1 The European Service Module (ESM) will house the MPCV's power, thermal, and propulsion systems. Airbus Defence and Space (AD&S) is the prime contractor under ESA developing the ESM, while NASA as the final customer performs independent verification and validation (IV&V) as necessary including the plume impingement analysis presented in this work.…”