Dynetics HLS

Dynetics is one of three organizations who developed a NASA-funded lunar lander design for the Artemis program over a year-long At the end of the ten-month program on 28 February 2021, However, on 27 January 2021, NASA informed each of the HLS contractors that the original ten-month program would be extended two months to end on or before 30 April 2021. In April 2021, NASA rejected the Dynetics HLS design and instead selected Starship HLS for crewed lunar lander development plus the two lunar demonstration flights, in a contract valued at over several years. There were technical weaknesses identified in the Dynetics proposal which was not selected but also budgetary constraints. == Design ==

Crew compartment The Dynetics HLS == Launch vehicle ==

The ALPACA is designed to be launched on ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket. Vulcan launches the full ALPACA vehicle to NRHO. Four more Vulcan launches carry either a Centaur Tanker to refuel the liquid methane, liquid oxygen tanks of the lander or a logistics vehicle (MULE). Alternatively, if available, a SLS Block 1B could launch the entire fully fueled lunar vehicle into lunar orbit using its Exploration Upper Stage. == Reusability ==

The ALPACA is refueled in lunar orbit in four Vulcan Centaur flights. The ALPACA can be reused for both crewed lunar landings and autonomous cargo landings. The first ALPACA will be reused autonomously after its first crewed landing as a proof of concept for NASA. In order to prevent boil-off, refueling and landing will take place in 2-3 week intervals. Long term, the ALPACA could be refueled from liquid oxygen created in-situ on the surface from lunar water ice. == NASA technical review ==

The Dynetics HLS scored highest of the proposed landers in NASA's initial technical review in August 2020. The largest issue identified according to NASA is the advanced experimental thrust structure used in the Dynetics design, and that it could pose a threat to the development time as it relies on immature technology. However, in Option A it had the scored the lowest. The largest issue identified was negative mass margins, meaning it wasn't able to carry out the listed mission without decreasing the mass of the lander. == See also ==