# Dynetics HLS > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dynetics_HLS > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dynetics_HLS.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynetics_HLS > Source revision: 1353208879 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Crewed lunar lander under development}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox spacecraft class |name=Dynetics ALPACA lunar lander |design_life=14-42 days{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} |manufacturer= |designer=[Dynetics](/source/Dynetics) |country=US |operator=[Dynetics](/source/Dynetics), [NASA](/source/NASA) |applications=Crew and cargo lunar lander |spacecraft_type=|equipment=|spacecraft_bus=|launch_mass=|dry_mass=|payload_capacity=|crew_capacity=2-4|volume=|power=Solar|batteries=|image_caption=A promotional render of the lunar lander|image=|stagedata={{Infobox rocket/stage | name = | engines = | thrust = | SI = | time = | fuel = }} |length=|width=|winged=|span= |status=under development |derivedfrom=|derivatives=Crew / cargo variants|orbits=|subsatellites=|subsatellite_of=|flown_with=|configuration_image=|configuration_image_size=|configuration_image_alt=|diameter=|configuration_image_caption=}} The '''Dynetics Autonomous Logistics Platform for All-Moon Cargo Access''' ('''ALPACA''')—also known as '''Dynetics HLS'''—(ILV) is a [human spaceflight](/source/human_spaceflight) [lunar lander](/source/lunar_lander) design concept proposed in 2020/21 for the [NASA](/source/NASA) [Human Landing System](/source/NASA_HLS) (HLS) component of the [Artemis program](/source/Artemis_program). [Dynetics](/source/Dynetics) was the lead contractor for the ALPACA lander—other contractors included [Sierra Nevada Corporation](/source/Sierra_Nevada_Corporation)—for NASA's [Artemis Program](/source/Artemis_program). The lander concept was initiated in 2019, and in April 2020, Dynetics won a {{USD|253 million}} contract from NASA for a year-long design concept study to be completed in early 2021.{{cite web |title=NASA Names Companies to Develop Human Landers for Artemis Missions |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-names-companies-to-develop-human-landers-for-artemis-moon-missions |last=Potter |first=Sean |date=30 April 2020 |website=NASA |accessdate=12 June 2020 |archive-date=11 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511104107/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-names-companies-to-develop-human-landers-for-artemis-moon-missions/ |url-status=live }} NASA had intended to subsequently issue build and test contracts to one or two of the three 2020 awardees in order to advance the human landing element of the Artemis Program. In the event, the Dynetics HLS proposal was not selected by NASA in April 2021, and a sole HLS award was won by [SpaceX](/source/SpaceX) with the [Starship HLS](/source/Starship_HLS) proposal. However, Dynetics, together with Blue Origin, protested this decision with the GAO through the S. 1260, also known as the US Innovation and Competitiveness Act. The appeal was unsuccessful, and on 30 July 2021, GAO upheld NASA's choice of SpaceX as the sole recipient of the HLS contract.{{Cite news |url=https://www.space.com/gao-hls-artemis-contract-spacex-blue-origin-dynetics |title=SpaceX remains the sole winner of NASA astronaut moon lander contract, GAO affirms |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924072135/https://www.space.com/gao-hls-artemis-contract-spacex-blue-origin-dynetics |url-status=live |work=Space.com |date=11 August 2021 |last1=Howell |first1=Elizabeth }} Dynetics resubmitted their proposal under Appendix N, which covered sustainable lunar landers. On September 14, NASA awarded five companies a contract to advance in the process, with Dynetics receiving a $40.8 million contract.{{cite web |title=Broad Agency Announcement NNH19ZCQ001K_APP_N |url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/source-selection-statement-appendix-n.pdf |website=NASA.gov |publisher=NASA |access-date=5 October 2021}} In terms of physical size, the Dynetics design is the smallest of the three proposals funded by [NASA](/source/NASA) in 2020; however, it is the second largest in terms of development funding secured from NASA. The ALPACA (if ultimately selected) will land and then ascend back into orbit and rendezvous with the NASA [Orion](/source/Orion_(spacecraft)) or the [Lunar Gateway](/source/Lunar_Gateway). ALPACA is expected to be subsequently proposed to be used to deliver lunar cargo such as [ISRU](/source/In_situ_resource_utilization) technology, base modules and pressurized rovers to the surface of the Moon. == History == {{further|Artemis HLS development history}} Dynetics is one of three organizations who developed a NASA-funded lunar lander design for the Artemis program over a year-long period in 2020–2021, starting in May 2020. The milestone-based requirements of the design contract included NASA paying Dynetics US$253 million in design development funding. The other teams selected in 2020 were the '[National Team](/source/Integrated_Lander_Vehicle)'—led by [Blue Origin](/source/Blue_Origin) but including [Lockheed Martin](/source/Lockheed_Martin), [Northrop Grumman](/source/Northrop_Grumman), and [Draper](/source/Draper_Laboratory) (with US$579 million in NASA design funding) and [SpaceX](/source/SpaceX) (with US$135 million in NASA funding).{{cite web|title=NASA Names Companies to Develop Human Landers for Artemis Missions|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-names-companies-to-develop-human-landers-for-artemis-moon-missions|last=Potter|first=Sean|date=30 April 2020|website=NASA|access-date=15 May 2020|archive-date=11 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511104107/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-names-companies-to-develop-human-landers-for-artemis-moon-missions/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}{{cite news|title=NASA Selects Blue Origin, Dynetics, and SpaceX Human Landers for Artemis|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/04/nasa-blue-origin-dynetics-spacex-hls-artemis/|date=1 May 2020|work=[NASASpaceFlight.com](/source/NASASpaceFlight.com)|access-date=15 May 2020|archive-date=15 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515175509/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/04/nasa-blue-origin-dynetics-spacex-hls-artemis/|url-status=live}} At the end of the ten-month program on 28 February 2021, NASA had planned to evaluate which contractors would be offered contracts for initial demonstration missions and select firms for development and maturation of their lunar lander system designs.{{cite news |last1=Berger|first1=Eric |title=NASA awards lunar lander contracts to Blue Origin, Dynetics—and Starship |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/04/nasa-awards-lunar-lander-contracts-to-blue-origin-dynetics-and-starship/ |work=[Ars Technica](/source/Ars_Technica) |date=30 April 2020 |access-date=1 February 2021 |archive-date=13 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513224239/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/04/nasa-awards-lunar-lander-contracts-to-blue-origin-dynetics-and-starship/ |url-status=live}} 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.[https://www.nasa.gov/nextstep/humanlander2 NextSTEP H: Human Landing System] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208221410/https://www.nasa.gov/nextstep/humanlander2/ |date=2020-12-08 }}, NASA, 27 January 2021, retrieved 31 January 2021. In April 2021, NASA rejected the Dynetics HLS design and instead selected [Starship HLS](/source/Starship_HLS) for crewed lunar lander development{{cite news |title=NASA selects SpaceX to develop crewed lunar lander |url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-selects-spacex-to-develop-crewed-lunar-lander/ |last=Foust |first=Jeff |work=[SpaceNews](/source/SpaceNews) |date=16 April 2021 |access-date=25 April 2021 |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521102045/https://spacenews.com/nasa-selects-spacex-to-develop-crewed-lunar-lander/ |url-status=live }} plus the two lunar demonstration flights, in a contract valued at {{USD|2.89 billion}} over several years.{{Cite news |title=NASA selects SpaceX as its sole provider for a lunar lander - "We looked at what's the best value to the government." |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/04/nasa-selects-spacex-as-its-sole-provider-for-a-lunar-lander/ |last=Berger |first=Eric |work=[Ars Technica](/source/Ars_Technica) |date=16 April 2021 |accessdate=21 April 2021 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417003215/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/04/nasa-selects-spacex-as-its-sole-provider-for-a-lunar-lander/ |url-status=live }} There were technical weaknesses identified in the Dynetics proposal which was not selected but also budgetary constraints. Although NASA had previously stated it wanted to contract for multiple dissimilar Human Landing Systems, "only one design was selected for an initial uncrewed demonstration and the first crewed landing, due to significant budget constraints" based on the HLS funds allocated by [Congress](/source/US_Congress). NASA has indicated that Dynetics would be free to compete for subsequent missions that are not a part of the initial two demonstration flights.{{cite news |title=After NASA taps SpaceX's Starship for first Artemis landings, agency looks to on-ramp future vehicles |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/nasa-starship-first-landings-on-ramp/ |last=Burghardt |first=Thomas |work=[NASASpaceFlight.com](/source/NASASpaceFlight.com) |date=20 April 2021 |access-date=25 April 2021 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420213049/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/nasa-starship-first-landings-on-ramp/ |url-status=live }} == Design == === Crew compartment === The Dynetics HLS vehicle has a low crew cabin making ingress and egress very simple. The crew compartment also includes an integrated [airlock](/source/airlock) to allow for easy EVA's without depressurizing the whole cabin. The crew cabin can be converted into a base module or a pressurized lunar rover. In September 2020 a full-scale mockup of the lander was completed in order to test the interior layout and its ingress / egress capabilities.{{Cite web|last=Zafar|first=Ramish|date=2020-09-15|title=Dynetics, SpaceX's Starship Competitor, Shows Off Lunar Lander Mockup|url=https://wccftech.com/dynetics-spacex-starship-competitor-lander/|access-date=2020-09-16|website=Wccftech|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160533/https://wccftech.com/dynetics-spacex-starship-competitor-lander/|url-status=live}} == Launch vehicle == The ALPACA is designed to be launched on [ULA's](/source/United_Launch_Alliance) [Vulcan Centaur](/source/Vulcan_Centaur) rocket. Vulcan launches the full ALPACA vehicle to [NRHO](/source/Near-rectilinear_halo_orbit). Four {{cite tweet |number=1424156622348242946 |access-date=13 August 2021 |title=It takes 5 |date=8 August 2021 |user=systems_zero |archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813081822/https://twitter.com/systems_zero/status/1424156622348242946?s=21 |url-status=live }} more Vulcan launches carry either a [Centaur](/source/Centaur_(rocket_stage)) Tanker {{cite web |url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/b-419783.pdf |website=GAO.gov |publisher=GAO |access-date=13 August 2021 |archive-date=11 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811175135/https://www.gao.gov/assets/b-419783.pdf |url-status=live |title=Decision Blue Origin Federation, LLC; Dynetics, Inc.-A Leidos Company B-419783; B-419783.2; B-419783.3; B-419783.4 |date=30 July 2021 }} to refuel the liquid methane, liquid oxygen {{cite web |last1=Laurini |first1=Kathy |title=Is ALPACA a better lunar lander than the Lunar Starship? EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Dynetics |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HbrCBRhykE |website=youtube.com |publisher=The Angry Astronaut |access-date=13 August 2021 |archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813081818/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HbrCBRhykE |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Dynetics achieves critical NASA milestone and delivers key data on lunar lander program |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dynetics-achieves-critical-nasa-milestone-and-delivers-key-data-on-lunar-lander-program-301201762.html |website=CISION PR Newswire |publisher=Cision US Inc |access-date=13 August 2021 |archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813081820/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dynetics-achieves-critical-nasa-milestone-and-delivers-key-data-on-lunar-lander-program-301201762.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Topic: Dynetics lunar lander |url=https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=50843.msg2221917#msg2221917 |work=[NASASpaceFlight.com](/source/NASASpaceFlight.com) |access-date=13 August 2021 |archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813081820/https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=50843.msg2221917#msg2221917 |url-status=live }} tanks{{Cite web|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/spacex-blue-origin-and-dynetics-compete-to-build-the-next-moon-lander|title=Full Page Reload|website=IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News|access-date=2021-01-15|archive-date=2021-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113152830/https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/space-flight/spacex-blue-origin-and-dynetics-compete-to-build-the-next-moon-lander|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=Dynetics to use in-space refueling for NASA lunar lander|url=https://spacenews.com/dynetics-to-use-in-space-refueling-for-nasa-lunar-lander/|access-date=2020-09-16|work=[SpaceNews](/source/SpaceNews)|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001055041/https://spacenews.com/dynetics-to-use-in-space-refueling-for-nasa-lunar-lander/|url-status=live}} of the lander or a logistics vehicle (MULE).{{cite web |title=Option A Source Selection Statement |url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/option-a-source-selection-statement-final.pdf |website=NASA.gov |publisher=NASA |access-date=13 August 2021 |archive-date=8 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508092034/https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/option-a-source-selection-statement-final.pdf |url-status=live }} Alternatively, if available, a [SLS Block 1B](/source/Space_Launch_System) could launch the entire fully fueled lunar vehicle into lunar orbit using its [Exploration Upper Stage](/source/Exploration_Upper_Stage).{{cite press release |url=https://www.sierralobo.com/sierra-lobo-inc-announces-nasas-artemis-human-landing-system-hls-award-on-dynetics-inc-team/ |publisher=Sierra Lobo |access-date=27 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330073126/https://www.sierralobo.com/sierra-lobo-inc-announces-nasas-artemis-human-landing-system-hls-award-on-dynetics-inc-team/ |archive-date=30 March 2022 |url-status=live |title=Sierra Lobo Announces NASA's Artemis Human Landing System (HLS) Award on Dynetics Team |date=1 May 2020 }} == 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.{{cite web |title=To the Moon with Dynetics: The Importance of Lunar Exploration and Utilization |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT0pUFApov8&t=4042s |website=youtube.com |publisher=Dynetics Inc |access-date=13 August 2021 |archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813081818/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT0pUFApov8&t=4042s |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web|last=Mahoney|first=Erin|date=2020-04-30|title=NASA Selects Blue Origin, Dynetics, SpaceX for Artemis Human Landers|url=http://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-selects-blue-origin-dynetics-spacex-for-artemis-human-landers|access-date=2020-08-27|website=NASA|archive-date=2021-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304022702/https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-selects-blue-origin-dynetics-spacex-for-artemis-human-landers/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=2020-08-19|title=Meet Dynetics, the company racing against SpaceX and Blue Origin to return astronauts to the moon|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/19/dynetics-racing-against-spacex-and-blue-origin-in-nasas-hls-program.html|access-date=2020-08-27|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=2020-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830155756/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/19/dynetics-racing-against-spacex-and-blue-origin-in-nasas-hls-program.html|url-status=live}} 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 == * [SpaceX Starship](/source/SpaceX_Starship) * [Blue Moon](/source/Blue_Moon_(spacecraft)) * [Integrated Lander Vehicle](/source/Integrated_Lander_Vehicle) * [Apollo Lunar Module](/source/Apollo_Lunar_Module) * [Sierra Nevada Corporation](/source/Sierra_Nevada_Corporation) * [Boeing Lunar Lander](/source/Boeing_Lunar_Lander) == References == {{Reflist}} Category:Proposed crewed spacecraft Category:Commercial spaceflight Category:Artemis program Category:American spacecraft Category:Human Landing System --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dynetics HLS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynetics_HLS) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynetics_HLS?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.