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Thank you man!

Still some work on the lander:

Excellant work!

Work on the inline alternative is underway. I'm putting the numbers together. It is a radical change

Some work is underway on the Auriga lunar lander. Access to the surface is via an elevator that extends from the front compartment, just below the main windows (still to be completed). The 10-meter ladder, equipped with a central rail for a fall arrest hook, and the hatch, located at the rear...

The first piece of hardware for the possible next-generation Nova rocket is ready: the vacuum-optimized methalox Neptune engine (right). They're relatively low-resolution to keep the poly count low. Presumably, a total of 24 will be needed for the first and second stage, both versions. Now that...

Sketch of the inline alternative for the Nova rocket.

Not yet decided

Boil off management for long term missions

Parallel staging is just a different philosophy than tandem staging. It allows a more compact launch vehicle, eliminates the need for altitude ignition and all the stuff related, unlocks a useful modular configuration. And Hydrogen is actually the best choice here, for a core stage.

Except for some work on the upcoming Auriga lander (specifically the opening geometry of the landing legs, see below), project currently on hold because I was pondering various realism issues that arose as I studied further, particularly the hydrogen management issue. I came close to scrapping...

A full Nova V / Argo stack has 228,000 polygons. I don't know how it compares to other recent addons.

Overview of the intricate plumbing.

Yep!

XCS-R takes shape.

New version of the "angry alligator" cargo bay door. I've accepted the suggestion given by Spaceman 3D, leaving openable only the leeward side of the nosecone, with the windward side fixed, thus avoiding interruptions and hinges on the TPS, for more safety. I must admit that in this...

An updated recap of the mission profiles I've envisioned for the Moon (the delta-V budget seems to hold up but further verifications are needed). 1) Quick ascent (or "chinese" profile). Dual Nova V launch. The first one with the Auriga lander, delivered in LLO by the HES-4 stage. The second one...

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19730005182/downloads/19730005182.pdf

That was also my concern. This is why the Argo spacecraft, which must withstand BLEO reentry, has no openings/hinges directly on the frontal/windward side, and the docking port is dorsal (leeward). XCS-R must only withstand LEO reentry and I wanted a clean exit for payloads. It reassures me that...

We have RCS thrusters. I've shielded the booster mounts with some fairings. I still have to decide whether I can settle for that or not. "Angry alligator" opening test.