TY - JOUR
T1 - Space resource logistics for human exploration to Mars
AU - Chen, Hao
AU - du Jonchay, Tristan Sarton
AU - Hou, Linyi
AU - Ho, Koki
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2019 by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). All rights reserved.
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - This paper develops an interdisciplinary space architecture optimization framework to analyze the tradeoff on in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) options, identify technology gaps, evaluate the benefits of ISRU, and optimize the design of infrastructure for various Mars human space exploration scenarios and mission profiles. It performs the trade studies from the perspective of space logistics, which takes into account the interplanetary transportation, infrastructure deployment, ISRU system operation, and the further logistics of the produced resources. Our method considers space architecture design and operation from a subsystem level to enable trade studies between ISRU technologies and in-space architecture elements in space resource logistics. A case study involving a multi-mission human Mars exploration campaign is performed to evaluate the effectiveness of existing and proposed ISRU technology concepts and system designs. The results can provide us with a better understanding of the benefits and cost of different ISRU technologies in interplanetary space transportation. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted to figure out whether lunar ISRU can be beneficial to Mars missions. The results of this analysis can help decision-makers determine and optimize the roadmap of ISRU technologies.
AB - This paper develops an interdisciplinary space architecture optimization framework to analyze the tradeoff on in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) options, identify technology gaps, evaluate the benefits of ISRU, and optimize the design of infrastructure for various Mars human space exploration scenarios and mission profiles. It performs the trade studies from the perspective of space logistics, which takes into account the interplanetary transportation, infrastructure deployment, ISRU system operation, and the further logistics of the produced resources. Our method considers space architecture design and operation from a subsystem level to enable trade studies between ISRU technologies and in-space architecture elements in space resource logistics. A case study involving a multi-mission human Mars exploration campaign is performed to evaluate the effectiveness of existing and proposed ISRU technology concepts and system designs. The results can provide us with a better understanding of the benefits and cost of different ISRU technologies in interplanetary space transportation. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted to figure out whether lunar ISRU can be beneficial to Mars missions. The results of this analysis can help decision-makers determine and optimize the roadmap of ISRU technologies.
KW - Human space exploration
KW - In-situ resource utilization (ISRU)
KW - Space logistics
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M3 - Conference article
AN - SCOPUS:85079126096
SN - 0074-1795
VL - 2019-October
JO - Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
JF - Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
M1 - IAC-19_A5_2_4_x49279
T2 - 70th International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2019
Y2 - 21 October 2019 through 25 October 2019
ER -