
S93-45589 (1993) — (Artist’s concept of possible exploration programs.) A crew of four descends to the lunar surface in a spacecraft designed to utilize oxygen produced on the Moon for propellant. Because of the high performance advantages of in situ propellants, the spacecraft does not need to rendezvous with a second spacecraft in lunar orbit. This image was produced for NASA by John Frassanito and Associates. Technical concepts from NASA’s Planetary Projects Office (PPO), Johnson Space Center (JSC).

S93-45592 (1993) — (Artist’s concept of possible exploration programs.) The lunar crew refills the propellant tanks on their spacecraft with oxygen produced on the Moon. This allows them to return directly to Earth, reentering the atmosphere in the conical crew module, and touching down at a prepared landing site. This image was produced for NASA by John Frassanito and Associates. Technical concepts from NASA’s Planetary Projects Office (PPO), Johnson Space Center (JSC).
Image credit: John Frassanito and Associates
Image source: NASA Johnson