Mission 3
Pathfinder class missions
Mission 3 features solo human Pathfinders evaluating and preparing a site for the M4 crew to follow which will install a five-person HabTank.
The human Pathfinder will have a Pathfinder Bobcat machine to help grade the Habsite. Pathfinder stays a week or more on Lunar surface.
The human Pathfinder will operate while "standing" in the lander wearing their Surface Suit. At HabSite, the explorer will prepare the foundation with equipment varying from a pick and shovel to a powered machine, the Explorer Bobcat, to [perhaps] explosive loosening/clearing.
In the cleared hole, Pathfinder will either place a small inflatable structure, or more likely, an overhead cover. The overhead cover will be covered with regolith to provide a 2m thick barrier for thermal and radiation protection. Power, communication or other equipment will be set up. (Probably removed from the lander.)
Pathfinder will do scientific studies and prepare the site for the Outpost to follow on the next mission.
After about one week of residency, the Pathfinder will mount the lander and launch to Earth. The Pathfinder lander may provide limited braking before Earth orbital entry.
Earth Return Landing will either be in the form of a GE "Project Moose" style or an inflatable heat shield. (Note, there are several examples of each. A simple web search will provide many of them.) This discussion of inflatable re-entry is also interesting. Georgia Tech has done some very cool research on the use of Ballute Entry Systems for Lunar Return Missions Parachute to safety, and all is well!
