Project Lyra: The Way to Go and the Launcher to Get There

TL;DR

This paper evaluates various launch options for Project Lyra, highlighting the potential of SpaceX's Super-Heavy Starship and Falcon Heavy to enable feasible missions to 1I/Oumuamua, emphasizing launch flexibility and mission design.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of launch vehicle options for Project Lyra, emphasizing the significance of the VILM maneuver and the capabilities of emerging launchers.

Findings

Super-Heavy Starship enables significant mission flexibility.

Falcon Heavy Expendable is a viable alternative.

VILM enhances payload delivery with less capable launchers.

Abstract

In preceding papers, Project Lyra has covered many possible trajectory options available to a spacecraft bound for 1I/Oumuamua, including Solar Oberth manoeuvres, Passive Jupiter encounters, Jupiter Oberths, Double Jupiter Gravitational Assists, etc. Because feasibility was the key driver for this analysis, the important question of which launcher to exploit was largely skirted in favour of adopting the most powerful options as being sufficient, though these launchers are clearly not necessary, there being alternative less capable candidates which could be utilised instead. In this paper the various launch options available to Project Lyra are addressed to allow a general overview of their capabilities. It is found that the SpaceX Super-Heavy Starship would be a game-changer for Project Lyra, especially in the context of refuelling in LEO, and furthermore a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Expendable could also be utilised. Other launchers are considered, including Ariane 6 and the future Chinese Long March 9. The importance of the V infinity Leveraging Manoeuvre (VILM) in permitting less capable launchers to nevertheless deliver a payload to Oumuamua is elaborated