The Space Show Presents Dr. Ajay Kothari, Sunday, 1-25-26.
Quick summary
The meeting focused on Dr. Kothari’s presentation of a cargo delivery concept to the moon using multiple Falcon Heavy upper stages docked together, which he proposed as an alternative to NASA’s current Artemis program. Ajay argued this method could be implemented more quickly and cheaply than the Starship program, with the potential to establish a permanent lunar presence before China’s planned International Lunar Research Station. While the Trump administration aims to land humans on the moon by 2028, several participants expressed skepticism about meeting this timeline, with Bill suggesting this concept could be better aligned with later Artemis missions. The discussion included technical details about fuel requirements, landing capabilities, and cost comparisons, with Marshall proposing a stacked configuration as an alternative design approach.
Detailed Summary
Dr. Ajay Kothari started his discussion by sharing his recent experience presenting at an international conference on sustainable energy propulsion in India, where he was the only speaker focused on space. He emphasized the importance of not underestimating the technical capabilities of other countries, particularly India and China, and highlighted the impressive work being done at Indian Institutes of Technology. Ajay presented the paradigm for space exploration and discussed the potential of thorium nuclear energy for various applications, including data centers and small modular reactors. The presentation was well-received, and he plans to share some slides during the meeting.
After sharing his experience at a conference in India, where he was impressed by the hospitality and technology, and received an award for his presentation, Ajay then discussed the importance of establishing a sustainable and cost-effective lunar settlement, criticizing the current plans for Artemis missions as they do not address the need for permanent infrastructure. Ajay emphasized that the real competition is not about the first human landing, but about creating a permanent presence on the Moon with habitats and outposts, which was not adequately addressed in recent congressional actions.
Our guest presented a proposal for a lunar cargo mission using Falcon Heavy, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness and potential to beat China to a permanent lunar presence. He highlighted the need for reusable booster stages and low-drag upper stages to reduce mission costs and mass requirements. David questioned the funding and necessity of the cargo mission, to which Ajay explained the urgency due to China’s plans for an International Lunar Research Station and the importance of establishing a presence on the moon. Bill inquired about Artemis baseline architecture, and Dr. Kothari acknowledged familiarity with Artemis 4 and 5 but noted uncertainty about later missions.
Ajay and Bill discussed the timeline for the Artemis 8 mission, which is currently scheduled for 2033 but is likely to be delayed to the mid-2030s. Ajay emphasized the need for an earlier presence on the moon to compete with China’s space station plans by 2030. Bill presented details on the Artemis 8 module, which can house up to four astronauts for short stays. Ajay calculated the delta V required for lunar missions and discussed propellant fractions and payload capacities for different launch vehicles, including the Falcon Heavy and New Glenn.
Ajay presented a comparison of different rocket systems for cargo transport, focusing on the cost-effectiveness of Falcon Heavy and New Glenn compared to the SLS. He demonstrated that using Falcon Heavy for four flights could save up to 80% compared to the SLS, while New Glenn was also competitive with similar cost savings. He emphasized that these proven systems should be preferred over the unproven SLS for cargo missions, and suggested that TSS should push for this approach, particularly for missions up to Artemis V.
Ajay and Bill discussed the implications of using cargo components in a human mission to the moon, with Bill raising concerns about potential risks to human safety if cargo missions fail. Ajay clarified that cargo missions would occur before human missions, minimizing risk. Bill also inquired about propellant loss in upper stages for the Falcon Heavy, to which Dr. Ajay explained that redesigns would be necessary to accommodate additional fuel and cargo, including potentially larger tanks and increased dry weight. Ajay emphasized the importance of repurposing upper stages for missions beyond Earth, contrasting this with Elon Musk’s focus on reusability.
The group discussed NASA’s Artemis mission plans, with David explaining that the current administration’s goal is limited to landing humans on the moon by 2028 before China does, rather than establishing a permanent presence. Ajay emphasized the importance of building a permanent lunar base, suggesting it could be achieved within two years with additional funding from Congress, though he acknowledged this might not be realized until after 2028. The discussion highlighted a disconnect between long-term planning needs and current budget constraints, with David noting that future mission planning would likely depend on the next administration’s priorities.
Ajay proposed a plan to establish a permanent lunar presence before Artemis 3, suggesting the construction of structures on the moon with a budget of $500-600 million and the capability to transport 15 tons of cargo. He emphasized the importance of this initiative for the country and suggested that it could be implemented alongside SpaceX’s Starship program. The group discussed the challenges of convincing Elon Musk to shift from the Starship plan, with Phil highlighting the political and logistical obstacles. Marshall suggested setting a baseline design for a lunar station and challenging SpaceX to improve upon it, while John proposed this plan as a potential alternative if Starship encounters technical difficulties.
The group discussed a proposal for a moon landing mission using multiple Falcon Heavy upper stages. Ajay presented his concept of using four stages, with one in the center and three at 120-degree intervals, connected and fired together for translunar injection. Bill suggested creating drawings to better illustrate the concept, while Philip proposed an alternative architecture involving fuel transfer between stages before landing. The discussion highlighted concerns about the feasibility of completing the mission within the proposed timeline of 2028, with David expressing skepticism about the three-year timeline given the complexity of testing and approvals.
Our guest discussed his ongoing efforts to publish a detailed mission architecture proposal, including a recent contact with the White House and an upcoming meeting with Trump’s political advisors. He is awaiting publication confirmation from Jeff Faust, who has previously published several of Ajay’s articles. The group discussed the likelihood of reaching the moon in 2028, with Dr. Sherry Bell and others expressing doubt about government timelines, while noting that China has its own lunar ambitions. The conversation ended with updates on upcoming Space Show guests and a call for ISDC presenter submissions, with Dr. Bell offering priority to meeting participants.
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American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless Entertainment
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