General view of the lunar base under construction as seen by the artist. The assembled modules and construction equipment are visible
Back in the fifties, at the start of its space program, the United States began to study the issues of using celestial bodies, incl. in the military field. So, in 1959, a project for a permanent lunar base was created under the code name Project Horizon. Studies have shown the fundamental possibility of building such an object and its full operation in the interests of the army. However, such construction would have been unacceptably complex and expensive - and the project was abandoned.
General ideas
Until the end of the fifties, the bulk of American space projects were developed by various organizations of the Department of Defense. In particular, the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) played a leading role. It studied the ways of further development of rocket technology, and also offered various options for space stations, orbital or stationary.
In 1958-59. ABMA specialists are seriously engaged in the development of the concept of a long-term base on the moon, suitable for use in the interests of the army. The study was codenamed Project Horizon. At the beginning of July 1959, the results of this work were presented to the US military and political leadership.
The Horizon project involved the construction of a small permanent base on the Moon with a garrison of only 12 people. With the help of this or that equipment from such a base, it was proposed to carry out optical or electronic reconnaissance of the Earth and near-Earth space, support military operations, conduct research, etc. Also, the possibility of placing one or another weapon on the Moon was not ruled out.
Design of modules - residential and gateway
Taking into account the technical characteristics of the existing missiles, as well as in connection with the nature of the tasks being solved, we found the optimal areas for the location of the new base. The object could be deployed in the northern or southern part of Znoya Bay, as well as in the southwestern part of the Sea of Rains, north of the Apennine Mountains.
There was a high survivability and stability of the lunar base. The facility was designed taking into account natural hazards, and there were virtually no other risks. The potential adversary at that time did not have any weapons capable of attacking a base on the Moon, and they were not expected in the future. At the same time, some measures were provided for in the event of an enemy landing.
According to calculations in 1959, it took several years to prepare for the construction of the base. In 1964, it was proposed to put all the main elements and cargoes into earth orbit, and then send them to the moon. The landing on the satellite with the participation of two military astronauts was scheduled for 1965. In a few months they had to deploy the base and prepare it to receive the entire garrison. By the end of 1966, Horizon could begin service.
Preliminary calculations showed that such a project would be extremely complex and expensive. It took approx. 6 billion dollars in the prices of that time - almost 60 billion today. It is noteworthy that the US military budget in 1959 did not exceed $40 billion.
Modular principle
The Horizon base was proposed to be built on a modular basis. This architecture made it possible to divide the entire structure into separate blocks that could be sent to the Moon by existing or future launch vehicles.
Possible station layout
For the main components of the station, "lying" cylindrical cases with a diameter of 10 feet (about 3 m) and a length of 20 feet (about 6 m) were intended. At the ends, devices were provided for connecting the modules into a structure of the required configuration. Also, the use of blocks of a different type and design or various containers was not excluded. A station of typical composition could have a mass of about 320-340 tons.
During construction, the required number of modules had to be assembled into a linear or L-shaped structure. To protect it from external influences and negative factors, it was proposed to place it in a trench and cover it with lunar soil from above. Naturally, gateways-exits to the surface and garages for transport were provided.
The power supply of the station was assigned to compact nuclear reactors. It was also proposed to mount such power units in standard cases. However, for security reasons, these modules should not have been attached to the main structure of the base. On the contrary, the reactors had to be installed in pits at a distance from the living and working modules.
To deliver people and small cargoes to the Moon, as well as to return them to Earth, a special descent vehicle was proposed. He had the ability to soft landing on the lunar surface, and could also take off from it and go into orbit for further flight. Vehicles and special equipment were worked out for moving on the Moon, incl. several types of construction machines.
A ship to fly to the moon. Left - lander, right - orbiter
It was proposed to fill the Horizon modules with a variety of household, scientific and other equipment. With its help, the garrison of the station had to carry out a long duty and perform various tasks. According to calculations, the autonomy of the station reached several months, but cargo ships should have arrived more often.
The project provided for the presence of 12 people at the station. Half of the garrison was actually technical staff and had to monitor the operation of the main systems. The other six people were operators, they had to operate intelligence systems, weapons, etc. The crews were offered to work on a rotational basis - with a shift of several weeks, depending on the possibilities of logistics.
The authors of the project considered the issues of base protection. So, the astronauts were asked to use a specially designed rifle weaponadapted to the characteristic conditions of the moon. The use of more powerful weapons, incl. artillery. In addition, barriers from special anti-personnel mines could be created around the object.
Construction processes
The modules of the Project Horizon station differed in significant size and weight, which placed special demands on launch vehicles. They were proposed to be sent to the Moon with the help of Saturn A-1 and A-2 rockets, as well as new upper stages created at that time.
Suit for work on the moon
As part of the Horizon project, a schedule of launches and work on the Moon was worked out. So, at the end of 1964, it was planned to carry out the first launches of Saturns with cargoes. The modules were supposed to accumulate in Earth's orbit, prepare for the flight and then go to the Moon.
In January 1965, the first modules were to land in the construction area. A few months later, in April, they were going to send two astronauts to the moon. They had to carry out the installation of structures that had already arrived, as well as accept new modules and install them in their places.
Up to one and a half years were given for the first stage of construction of the station and installation of equipment. At the end of 1966, 12 people were going to be sent to the station. the main garrison and additional modules, equipment, etc. At this stage, the Horizon station could already begin combat duty, but it still needed certain improvements, the deployment of some systems, etc.
In accordance with the plan, the construction of the base required more than 210 launches of launch vehicles with a variety of payloads. On average, at least 5-6 launches should be performed per month. Further operation and duty were also associated with regular launches and flights to the moon and back. It was the need for a large number of missiles and regular launches that led to an increase in the estimated cost of the program.
Saturn A-1 launch vehicle
No prospects
In July 1959, the US military and political leadership read the ABMA report and made their decision. President Dwight Eisenhower and other officials appreciated the original ideas and bold decisions, but did not approve of the further development of the project. Materials on "Horizon" went to the archive.
The reasons for this decision are quite simple. Project Horizon promised a lot of benefits of various kinds, but had a number of characteristic problems. The main one was considered unacceptably high cost. The construction of just one lunar station required about 15% of the annual military budget. At the same time, it could be expected that the cost of the program, as it is implemented, will gradually increase and go beyond reasonable limits.
In addition, the project was overly complex. At that time, the United States had a limited range of launch vehicles and was only working on manned flights. The Horizon project from ABMA actually turned out to be beyond the capabilities of science and technology. Its implementation within the specified time frame was at least questionable. Moreover, there was reason to doubt the fundamental possibility of such construction.
Thus, the American leadership, well aware of the value and importance of the space program, did not waste resources on an unacceptably complex and expensive project with dubious prospects. It was decided to focus on more important projects, which soon gave the desired result. They also soon launched a lunar program - no less ambitious and very expensive, but more modest and realistic.