Shuttle Excursion Module™
(SEM)™
- PSAN-I Ammonium Nitrate & Propellants
- SHARP Spaceplane
- Small Launch Vehicle
- Sounding Rockets
- Liquid Oxygen Monopropellants
- Lunar Soil Propellant (LSP)
- Shuttle Excursion Module (SEM) ™
- Shuttle Landing Module (SLM) ™
- Lunar Bases & Lunar Concrete
- Location
- History
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In 1990, Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion Company developed the concept of using spent Space Shuttle External Tanks to boost the Space Shuttle from low earth orbit to lunar orbit. The External Tank would be modified before lift-off with the addition of an engine that could burn Lunar Soil Propellant (LSP). This new configuration for the External Tank was called the Shuttle Excursion Module (SEM)™
Shuttle Excursion Module shown in orbit with Space Shuttle
The Shuttle would dock with the SEM with the Shuttle providing guidance for the SEM, which would be loaded with lunar soil propellant. The SEM would be sent remotely to low earth orbit from lunar orbit.
Once the SEM and Shuttle are docked, the SEM's engine fires and takes the Shuttle on its way to lunar orbit. Once in lunar orbit, the Shuttle can deploy Lunar Space Station modules, lunar satellites or undock from the SEM and dock with the Shuttle Landing Module (SLM) so that it can land on the moon.
SEM and Space Shuttle leaving earth orbit and heading for the moon.