Ember Terrestrial Testbed

EMBER, a fitting name for a vehicle that ignites the future of landers.

The Ember Terrestrial Testbed is the ancestor of the Phoenix Lunar Lander, and Orion Technologies still uses it today to test critical systems and instruments for use on the Moon, and later on Mars. The vehicle stemmed from Project Morpheus.

OVERVIEW

Ember is roughly 10ft tall, and 6 ft wide. The Testbed is intended to be used to test important systems or methods for future landers, as well as test instruments for other company’s in a lander-like environment. The vehicle is composed of 3 sections: the landing and propulsion section, the propellant section, and the payload and command section. The first section houses the single pressure-fed LCH4/LOX rocket engine that powers Ember. This engine puts out 15.7kN of thrust at sea level. Thrust and fuel flow rates are managed by the small computer housed next to the engine. 4 aluminum landing legs allow for a gentle touchdown. The propellant section contains the two aluminum spheres that house the LOX and LCH4 propellants. Each has MLI covering it to prevent propellant boil-off. A carbon-fiber sleeve covers the intertank section, adding aerodynamics and structural support. Additionally, this section has the COPV tanks and instrument shelves mounted to it. The 24 200N RCS thrusters compose the RCS system, which is powered by the compressed nitrogen in the COPV tanks, which also serve to pressurize the main fuel tanks. The payload/command section of Ember is the most important, as it houses the computers, communication and navigation systems, and the payload bay. Flight computers, batteries, and other equipment are stowed under the payload deck, and the OGCU and LiDAR instruments are mounted atop the deck. The OGCU, and in-house built system, is a key component in Ember’s terrain relative avoidance and navigation ability. It houses two cameras, lasers, and gyros. The OGCU also pioneers the use of the unique in-camera telemetry and user interface system, allowing for multiple pieces of telemetry to be seen, as well as seamless payload deployment, all from in-camera. A Neuron User Terminal provides high data rates from the vehicle and crisp, real-time video. Several cubic feet of payload space is available inside the payload bay. Two deployed are mounted on the outside of the payload bay, allowing for payloads to be jettisoned in flight if needed. Capping the vehicle is the lift structure, and is used to lift Ember via crane onto a dolly for transport.

INSTRUCTIONS

AG1: Main Engine
AG2: RCS
AG3: Guidance System
AG4: Deploy Payloads
More AGs can be added if needed for payloads

Active 1-3 prior to flight, and maintain a mostly vertical movement. The in-camera telemetry allows for guidance and payload deployment.

ENJOY😜