Nautilus X MMSEV

We'll need ships like this to continue long term space exploration. [Link]

Lack of money or direction has not caused some at NASA to decline to dream big. In that spirit, two engineers at the Johnson Spaceflight Center, Mark Holderman and Edward Henderson, have developed a concept for a space vehicle called Nautilus X MMSEV.

Nautilus X MMSEV is a NASA acronym for Non-Atmospheric Universal Transport Intended for Lengthy United States X-ploration Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle.

The Nautilus X would be able to support a crew of six for missions ranging from one month to two years. It would be assembled in low Earth orbit with between two and three launches of the planned shuttle derived heavy lift launcher and a variety of commercial launchers (Falcon 9, Delta 4, and Atlas 5.)

The Nautilus X would consist of a variety of ridged and inflatable modules, solar dynamic arrays, any of a number of mission specific propulsion modules, a manipulator arms, docking ports for Orion or commercial space craft such as the SpaceX Dragon, landing craft for destination worlds and (this is the key) a centrifuge that would simulate partial gravity to maintain the health of the crew for long duration space missions. There would be logistical modules, a radiation mitigation system, facilities for a hydroponic farm, and hangers for landing craft and EVA pods.

The centrifuge would consist of inflatable modules in the shape of a donut. A version of the centrifuge could be attached to the International Space Station for testing and use as a low gravity laboratory and a sleep module for the crew.

The initial mission of the Nautilus X would see its deployment at the L1 Lagrange point where the gravity of the Earth and Moon cancel out. The Nautilus X would serve as a way station for astronauts headed for the Moon. An Orion or commercial space craft such as the Dragon would take a crew from the Earth to the Nautilus X. After an initial check out, a crew would take a landing vehicle to the lunar surface either for exploration missions or extended stays at a lunar base. Crews would depart from the Moon after their missions have been completed, dock with the Nautilus X, then take the Orion or commercial space craft the rest of the way to Earth.