Project number
25505
Organization
Paragon Space Development Corp.
Offering
ENGR498-S2025-F2025
Paragon aims to develop the concept of an unmanned heavy cargo spacecraft, designed to be launched aboard SpaceX's Starship rocket in the 2030 timeframe. The project, titled Paragon Lunar Unmanned Super Heavy Cargo (PLUSH), is in its early stages and requires a complete design effort. To provide a vision for the concept, an AI-generated image has been included as a conceptual illustration.
The first phase of the project will focus on defining requirements and creating a preliminary design for the vehicle. PLUSH will be an unpressurized and environmentally uncontrolled spacecraft, exclusively transporting lunar equipment rather than humans. Its mission will be to deliver several tons of cargo to the Moon, forming part of the foundational infrastructure needed to support a new lunar economy.
This effort will specifically focus on the Lander Structure and Frame, encompassing:
* Landing Gear: Including shock-absorbing legs and footpads.
* Primary Structure: Housing all subsystems and supporting vehicle integrity.
* Starship Interface: Ensuring compatibility with SpaceX's rocket for launch.
* Cargo Bay Design: Proposing an organizational layout for storage pods and deployment mechanisms.
* Volume Allocation: Providing space for propulsion systems and other subsystems.
* Deployment Systems: Designing a ramp for unloading cargo.
* Safety and Telemetry: Incorporating essential safety and communication components.
The design will remain at a high level, targeting Preliminary Design Review (PDR) maturity. Detailed designs are not required, and all elements are open to trade studies to optimize for volume, weight, and performance.
The student team will have significant creative freedom in proposing the overall design and architecture for PLUSH. However, the vehicle must meet key requirements:
* Withstand launch loads and fit within the Starship payload bay.
* Interface effectively with the Starship for deployment.
* Maximize cargo capacity.
* Survive descent and landing procedures on the lunar surface.
This project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the conceptualization of a critical component in future lunar operations.
The first phase of the project will focus on defining requirements and creating a preliminary design for the vehicle. PLUSH will be an unpressurized and environmentally uncontrolled spacecraft, exclusively transporting lunar equipment rather than humans. Its mission will be to deliver several tons of cargo to the Moon, forming part of the foundational infrastructure needed to support a new lunar economy.
This effort will specifically focus on the Lander Structure and Frame, encompassing:
* Landing Gear: Including shock-absorbing legs and footpads.
* Primary Structure: Housing all subsystems and supporting vehicle integrity.
* Starship Interface: Ensuring compatibility with SpaceX's rocket for launch.
* Cargo Bay Design: Proposing an organizational layout for storage pods and deployment mechanisms.
* Volume Allocation: Providing space for propulsion systems and other subsystems.
* Deployment Systems: Designing a ramp for unloading cargo.
* Safety and Telemetry: Incorporating essential safety and communication components.
The design will remain at a high level, targeting Preliminary Design Review (PDR) maturity. Detailed designs are not required, and all elements are open to trade studies to optimize for volume, weight, and performance.
The student team will have significant creative freedom in proposing the overall design and architecture for PLUSH. However, the vehicle must meet key requirements:
* Withstand launch loads and fit within the Starship payload bay.
* Interface effectively with the Starship for deployment.
* Maximize cargo capacity.
* Survive descent and landing procedures on the lunar surface.
This project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the conceptualization of a critical component in future lunar operations.