The following summarizes discussions with some potential spaceflight customers:

As our "Deep Space" systems are customized, and are launched to LEO on commercial vehicles, the possibilities are numerous. Our components include a nearly operational Lunar “HTS” (Human Transport System) which can Either take an astronaut to the Moon's surface, or back to LLO. (Two are needed for the round trip). With 40 pound empty weight, and 300 pound fuel capacity, the HTS can handle 300 pounds of astronaut in a pressure suit. The pair required for a Moon walker will total 1280 pounds in initial Low Lunar Orbit – including the suited astronaut. Add 150 pounds for Lunar escape and Earth transfer for the astronaut (his habitat and reentry system are listed separately below). That combination will require some 6,600 pounds (3,000 kg) in LEO with the fuel for lunar transfer and injection.

A minimum mass Earth reentry system (like the GE “Moose”, with improved and rigid heat shield) will add about 1100 pounds in LEO. Doubling that number to allow for a tent like inflated habitat pushes the total to 8,800 pounds (4,000 kg) in LEO to accomplish a manned lunar landing.

Since this is no strain for commercial launch vehicles, there is room for “weight growth” while maintaining feasible costs. ($30 -$50 Million?) Validating these systems in space will be a demanding process and involve up front $10 million in launch costs. But there is actually very little technical risk in this plan, since the commercial launch systems exist and the deep space systems do also. There is very significant Human Risk, since the Lunar Lander may not have been tested on the Moon (equaling the Apollo 11 situation). On the other hand, a preliminary landing of the HTS is feasible within the listed funding and this can serve as a Google Lunar X PRIZE competitor!

A traveler to the Moon using this system would have “austere” accommodations, like those for Steve Fossett's “Round the World” balloon flight.    (No flush Toilet!)

SPONSORS:

Concerning Sponsors: Micro-Space has a handful of small budget sponsors, but needs more. Credibility is a problem, for sponsorship, but over caution continues to be a bigger problem and reduces sponsorship benefits. Corporate “Bean Counters” want a “Proven Track Record” for the teams they consider sponsoring. But for a truly innovative company – offering “Break Through” technology or products – a “Proven Track Record” destroys the publicity value of the sponsorship by emphasizing “The Very Strengths Their Established Competitors Offer”!   Any company – large or small - that wants to build their “Break Through” image, should sponsor efforts that showcase that mentality and thrust!

Credibility will become a big issue when the hundred million dollars needed to send an adventurer to Mars is involved:

When success appears likely, a massive audience will be tuned in.

But for the thousands of dollars presently needed to get adventurers flying on Lunar Lander prototypes, it is easier to close the business case. Seeing humans fly on low cost, but scientifically valid “Lunar Landers” will spark recognition that a “REAL” space age is finally at hand! Since success with these exciting and high visibility efforts is likely, the sponsor who wants recognition as an innovator will be well rewarded.

Micro-Space systems are already flying and the complex landers will be flying within days!