Aetheris Orbis - Erebus Program
Program Overview#
The Erebus Program is the operational counterpart to the Astraeus discovery series. While Astraeus proved the communications, navigation, life support, and power grid technologies needed for a sustainable orbital logistics network, Erebus puts those technologies to work.
The Erebus Program translates the Astraeus discovery series technologies into a crew operated orbital refueling hub. By installing a Robotic Refueling System (RRS), cryogenic storage, and transfer lines on the Aetheris Gateway LEO Long‑Duration Discovery Port (LDDP), the program demonstrates that large scale propellant can be delivered, stored, and transferred in orbit, an essential capability for Artemis‑X, future lunar orbital depots, and eventual Mars transit.
Goal: Demonstrate a fully crewed, end‑to‑end refueling capability on the Aetheris Gateway LEO Station (AGLS) that can receive, store, and transfer cryogenic propellants (liquid methane/oxygen) for future deep space missions.
Architecture: A Robotic Refueling System (RRS) installed on the ISS Long Duration Discovery Port (LDDP) works with a cryogenic storage tank and transfer line. The system is serviced and calibrated by a five astronaut crew launched aboard the Orion‑XR family, supported by unmanned cargo flights (Erebus Alpha and Beta).
Strategic Impact: Successful execution creates a reusable orbital propellant depot, reduces launch mass for lunar orbital (Artemis‑X) and Mars bound missions, and establishes operational procedures for crew managed refueling, a critical step toward a permanent human presence beyond low Earth orbit.
Mission Brief & Timeline#
Phase 1 – Erebus 1 (LR‑RM1) – Crewed Refueling Demonstration
| Date | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2045 | Crewed launch (LR‑RM1) – 5 astronaut crew aboard Orion‑XR | Launch vehicle: Aerial Dynamics Aquila-X (up‑graded for deep‑orbit logistics). All crew‑systems qualified on Astraeus 1‑2. |
| 20 Mar 2045 | Dock with ISS “Long Duration Discovery Port” (LDDP) | Autonomous rendezvous software, proven in Astraeus 1‑2, executes a fully automated docking sequence. |
| 21 Mar 2045 – 10 Apr 2045 | Unloading & installation of Robotic Refueling System _(RRS), cryogenic storage tank, and transfer line | EVA‑assisted robotic arm placement; crew continuously monitors system health and alignment tolerances. |
| 11 Apr 2045 – 30 Jun 2045 | Operational checkout, system calibration, and first low mass fuel transfer test | Three week shakedown followed by six weeks of incremental fuel moves to verify thermal stability and pressure regulation. |
| 01 Jul 2045 | Mission close out, crew return to Earth | All hardware verified functional; spare part inventory left on ISS for future missions. |
Phase 2 – Erebus 2 (LR‑RM2) – Extended Refueling Campaign
| Date | Activity | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Sep 2045 | Crewed launch (LR‑RM2) – 5‑astronaut crew aboard Orion‑XR‑2 | Same vehicle family as Erebus 1, upgraded avionics for a longer on rbit stay. |
| 06 Sep 2045 | Dock at ISS LDDP (same port as Erebus 1) | Immediate hand off of RRS control to crew; baseline status confirmed. |
| 07 Sep 2045 – 30 Sep 2045 | Initial system diagnostics, software update, and verification of spare parts inventory | Addresses any latent issues from Erebus 1 before cargo arrivals. |
| 01 Oct 2045 | Erebus Alpha (unmanned cargo) launch & dock _(T+1 mo) | Delivers spare‑mechanical kits, replacement seals, and diagnostic modules. |
| 02 Oct 2045 – 15 Oct 2045 | Integration of Alpha spares, replacement of degraded components | Provides redundancy ahead of high energy cryogenic load. |
| 01 Nov 2045 | Erebus Beta (unmanned cargo) launch & dock (T+2 mo) | Carries ~2,400 kg of liquid methane/oxygen mix at 150 K, stored in insulated cryo tanks. |
| 02 Nov 2045 – 15 Nov 2045 | Controlled cryogenic transfer test #1 (small batch) | RRS pumps ~200 kg; validates thermal shielding, pressure regulation, and boil off rates. |
| 16 Nov 2045 – 30 Nov 2045 | Full‑scale fuel transfer (~2,000 kg) – fill ISS long duration tanks | Continuous monitoring; contingency abort procedures rehearsed and logged. |
| 01 Dec 2045 – 31 Jan 2046 | Post transfer system validation, safety audits, and crew training simulations | Documentation prepared for the upcoming Artemis‑X lunar orbital depot program. |
| 01 Feb 2046 | Begin crew return preparations (payload stowage, health checks)_ | Final checks of all installed hardware and spare inventory. |
| 28 Feb 2046 | Crew departs ISS, re‑entry, and splashdown | Mission officially concludes after a successful six month campaign. |
Erebus Alpha – Unmanned Cargo Resupply (T+1 mo)
| Date | Activity | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Oct 2045 | Launch of Erebus Alpha (unmanned cargo) | Utilises a dedicated small‑sat launch vehicle (Falcon 9 FT) to deliver spare parts and diagnostic kits to the ISS. |
| 02 Oct 2045 | Dock and berth at ISS LDDP | Automated docking performed by the same rendezvous software validated on Astraeus 1‑2. |
| 02 Oct 2045 – 15 Oct 2045 | Integration of spares, replacement of any degraded components identified during Erebus 2 diagnostics | Crew conducts EVA assisted swaps of seals, sensor modules, and RRS actuator brackets; system health logged and transmitted. |
| 15 Oct 2045 | Departure of Alpha (de‑orbit and controlled burn) | No hazardous material onboard; vehicle disposed safely after mission completion. |
Erebus Beta – Unmanned Cryogenic Fuel Delivery (T+2 mo)
| Date | Activity | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Nov 2045 | Launch of Erebus Beta (unmanned cargo) | Carries ~2,400 kg of liquid methane/oxygen mix at 150 K in insulated cryogenic tanks; launch on a Falcon Heavy for high mass payload capacity. |
| 02 Nov 2045 | Dock and berth at ISS LDDP | Automated docking; RRS ready to accept cryogenic payload. |
| 02 Nov 2045 – 15 Nov 2045 | Controlled cryogenic transfer test #1 (small batch) | RRS pumps ~200 kg; validates thermal shielding, pressure regulation, and boil off rates; data streamed via Astraeus derived high throughput relay. |
| 16 Nov 2045 – 30 Nov 2045 | Full scale fuel transfer (~2,000 kg) – fill ISS long duration tanks | Continuous monitoring; contingency abort procedures rehearsed and logged; post transfer thermal equilibrium achieved. |
| 30 Nov 2045 | Beta’s empty tanks jettisoned and de‑orbited | Ensures no residual propellant remains in orbit, complying with debris mitigation guidelines. |
Erebus 1
Erebus 2
Erebus Alpha
Erebus Beta
Key Milestones (Program-wide)#
- Launch of Erebus 1 (LR‑RM1) – 15 Mar 2045: First crewed deep orbit logistics flight, establishing the orbital refueling concept.
- Autonomous Docking Validation – 20 Mar 2045: Rendezvous software proven on Astraeus 1‑2 successfully guides Orion‑XR to the Aetheris Gateway LEO Station Longuration Discovery Port (LDDP).
- Robotic Refueling System (RRS) Installation – 21 Mar – 10 Apr 2045: EVA assisted deployment of the RRS, cryogenic tank, and transfer line first ever crew installed refueler in orbit.
- Low‑Mass Fuel Transfer Test – 11 Apr – 30 Jun 2045: Incremental fuel moves verify pressure regulation, thermal shielding, and data relay performance.
- Launch of Erebus 2 (LR-RM2) - 01 Sep 2045: This launch marks the transition from a single flight proof of oncept to a sustained refueling campaign, delivering a fresh crew that will operate, upgrade, and expand the orbital depot installed by Erebus 1.
- Docking of Erebus 2 - 06 Sep 2045: Using the autonomous rendezvous software validated on Astraeus 1‑2, Orion‑XR‑2 achieves a flawless docking at the ISS Long uration Discovery Port (LDDP).
- Erebus Alpha Cargo Arrival – 01 Oct 2045: Delivery of spare part kits and diagnostic modules, establishing a sustainable logistics pipeline for the depot.
- Software Upgrade & Diagnostics – 07 Sep – 30 Sep 2045: Full system health check, firmware patching, and spare inventory verification, ensuring readiness for high mass operations.
- Erebus Beta Cryogenic Payload Launch – 01 Nov 2045: Introduction of ~2 400 kg of liquid methane/oxygen, the largest cryogenic cargo ever delivered to the ISS.
- Staged Cryogenic Transfer – 02 Nov – 30 Nov 2045: Small batch test followed by full scale (~2 000 kg) transfer, confirming thermal stability and boil off control for long duration storage.
- Post‑Transfer Validation & Safety Audits – 01 Dec 2045 – 31 Jan 2046: Comprehensive system validation, crew training simulations, and documentation preparation for the upcoming Artemis‑X lunar orbital depot.
- Mission Close‑out & Crew Return – 28 Feb 2046: Successful conclusion of a six month campaign, with all hardware verified functional and a spare part cache left on the ISS for future missions.
Rationale & Strategic Impact#
Technology Maturation – Erebus 1 establishes the robotic refueling system and cryogenic storage interface; Erebus 2 scales those capabilities to full mass fuel transfers.
Validated Refueling Chain – From robotic installation (Erebus 1) through full mass cryogenic transfer (Erebus 2), the program proves every link in an orbital fuel depot.
Operational Redundancy – Spare part caches and software updates inserted between cargo flights ensure the system remains robust against degradation over multiple missions.
Risk Reduction – Incremental cargo deliveries (Alpha, Beta) allow spare part integration and software updates before high energy operations, mirroring the staged validation strategy used in the Astraeus series.
Operational Legacy – The spare part cache left after Erebus 1 and the refined procedures from Erebus 2 become the baseline for future deep space refueling architectures such as Artemis‑X.
Enabling Future Exploration – The procedures, data sets, and hardware footprints generated feed directly into Artemis‑X and later Mars transit depot concepts, accelerating humanity’s move beyond low Earth orbit.
Closing Note:#
The Erebus Program stands as a testament to what disciplined engineering, bold imagination, and the collaborative spirit can achieve together. By turning the technologies proven in the Astraeus discovery series into a fully operational, crew managed refueling hub; we are not merely solving a logistical challenge. We are laying the groundwork for humanity’s next great leap beyond Earth’s cradle.
To the readers of this program bried, to the engineers who will build the next generation of orbital depots, and to the storytellers who will chronicle these milestones; let this mission profile remind us that every precise dock, every calibrated valve, and every measured kilogram of cryogenic fuel carries the weight of future explorers’ dreams. May the Erebus Program inspire confidence that the path to the Moon, Mars, and beyond is already being forged, one carefully planned mission at a time.
“Beyond the Horizon, Together”