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Modular Spacecraft Design Concept (MDSC)

BROADSWORD 5

Broadsword 5 is primarily built up from four smaller sections. Using a principle called Modular Spacecraft Design Concept (MSDC), each independent section of the craft fulfils a specific task with in the whole.

1....The Cockpit & Cabin ( Command Module )

This is the bubble in which the manned element of the craft is housed and operates. The section hosts all control, communications, and living facilities for the ship. Should this section require maintenance or internal refit the section can be returned to earth, at a fraction of the cost of returning the whole craft.

Approx Dimensions. 5m x 3m x 3m

2.....Docking Ring

Originally both the Docking ring and access tunnel were incorporated into the cockpit and cabin of earlier versions of Broadsword . Removing all these allowed the CM to be greatly reduced in size.

Secondary Controls for the monoeuvring of the craft along with a viewing port may be required on this module subject to further investigation.

Note: An Airlock/Docking unit was considered as a standard module for Broadsword 5 but it was felt that the Docking module alone would be a far cheaper option as a starter pack.

Approx Dimensions. 3m x 3m x 3m

3....The Reaction Control System .

.This section houses the engine system responsible for the manoeuvring of the craft.

As above this section was designed to be part of Broadswords CM and had the RCS as part of the forward cabin area allowing maintenance to take place 'in house' it was later decided however, owing to the volatile and toxic nature of the Nitric Acid & Hydrazine fuel elements to mount them externally.

An Instant benefit to this method is the ability to now have this section serviced in a safe environment on earth. Should servicing be required or a major fault shut down the system then the entire section can be replaced, allowing the mission to carry on. The ship need no longer be inoperable during service.

Approx Dimensions.

Body 3m x 3m x 3m

With Jet Arms and Splash Guard Panels

12m x 5m x 3m

4.... Main Drive, Consumable and Fuel Storage

(Service Module)

The Service Module houses the Power, Power generation, Life Support & Fuel Storage. It is also the module containing the Main Drive Unit. The drive would be supplied by two engines using Monomenthly Hydrazine (Fuel) and Nitrogen Tetroxide (Oxidizer). Fuel Pressurization, Helium.

The two engines are mounted side by side in the tail section giving Broadsword 12,000 lbs of thrust.

The engine is based on the Orbital Manoeuvring System currently in use on the US Space Shuttle.

All propellants and other in flight gases / liquids are stored in 7 detachable tanks mounted around a central column.

Enclosed in this column are the supply pumps, Electrical generation Fuel Cells (Also generating the water for the craft), Coolant pumps and RCS supply pumps.

The SM will also house the tank-to-SM inlet connection valves.

Note:

The fact that the SM and its tanks have been design as independant Modules will allow Broadsword to have a range of Engine and Tank capacities dependent on the requirements of the Customers needs.

i.e. Deployment craft to Space Station, Close Orbit use, Geo-Stationary, and Trans Lunar.

The Engine and Fuel tank lay out are for the purpose of describing MSDC. The Capacity of an operational Broadsword may differ in the final version. However MSDC will permit limitless Fuel and Engine configuration without the expense of totally redesigning or rebuilding the whole Craft.

So far we have only covered the Independent Manned Spacecraft elements of Project Broadsword. As the craft stands in the above description it would be the standard craft Marketing would sell the a client as a starter pack. To achieve the Multi-Purpose capability required of an Integrated Spaceflight system we have to now explore the full potential available from the use of Modular Spacecraft Design. The separation of the module allows alternative Intersections to be installed. These intersection will greatly expand the capability if the craft.