Suitport Interface Logistics Carrier - NASA Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts

In order to achieve NASA’s goal of becoming a long-term presence on the Moon and Mars,operational logistics such as storage and transportation of supplies must be engineered. The SuitportInterface Logistics Carrier (SILC) is a portable container used to preserve, store, and transport anycombination of dry goods, water, Nitrogen, and Oxygen across the lunar surface. The carrier maintains atemperature and pressure that is appropriate for the cargo being carried and functions throughout a dayand night cycle of the Moon for a 30 day mission period. The SILC design consists of a pressurized cabinmade of high-strength composite and foam sandwich with various aluminum features to interface withNASA suitport designs. Dry goods will be stored in preexisting Cargo Transfer Bags (CTBs) and waterwill be stored in Contingency Water Containers (CWCs). To store the Nitrogen and Oxygen, a removablecomposite overwrapped pressure vessel with a Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System architecture will bestored inside the SILC. A total of four SILCs will be used to transport the cargo; they have a total capacityof 600 kg of dry goods, 250 kg of water, and 270 L of fluids. With a dry mass-to-storage ratio of 0.647,and features such as environmental controls systems for pressure and thermal regulation, as well as aLotus coating to mitigate dust adhesion, the SILC design operates as a suitable logistics carrier for thelunar surface.