End-to-end mission flowSection 03 / 06

How OAKHEART Works

Five phases, one continuous flow. The identical sequence applies to both the Moon and Mars — differing only in propulsion choice and transit duration.

  1. Phase 1

    Earth Departure

    The complete stack launches, docks, spins up for artificial gravity, and performs the departure burn using the hub propulsion system.

  2. Phase 2

    Transit

    Crew lives in continuous artificial gravity. All systems — life support, communications, experiments — remain fully operational.

  3. Phase 3

    Destination Orbit

    The complex captures into orbit. The hub remains as a permanent station. The five Starships undock.

  4. Phase 4

    Surface Operations

    Each Starship performs a standard entry, descent, and landing. Upon touchdown they function immediately as habitats, cargo depots, robot bases, or power plants.

  5. Phase 5

    Return

    Starships launch from the surface, rendezvous with the orbital hub, re-dock, and the hub propulsion system returns the stack to Earth.

Lunar profile

Methalox hub propulsion. Short transit. Rapid cadence between Earth orbit and the lunar surface.

Mars profile

Nuclear thermal hub propulsion. Long transit under continuous artificial gravity. Identical flow, extended duration.

The OAKHEART complex in orbit over Mars: five Starship-class vehicles nose-docked radially around a central hub with a firing engine, above the rust-red cratered Martian surface.
Complex captured into Mars orbit — nuclear thermal hub, five Starships ready to undock
Next — Section 04

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