In situ resource utilization (ISRU) increasingly features as an element of human long-term exploration and settlement missions to the lunar surface. In this study, all requirements to test a novel, biological approach for ISRU are validated, and an end-to-end mission architecture is proposed. The general mission consists of a lander with a fully autonomous bioreactor able to process lunar regolith and extract elemental iron. The elemental iron could either be stored or directly utilized to generate iron wires or construction material. To maximize the success rate of this mission, potential landing sites for future missions are studied, and technical details (thermal radiation, shielding, power-supply) are analyzed. The final section will assess the potential mission architecture (orbit, rocket, lander, timeframe). This design might not only be one step further towards an international "Moon Village", but may also enable similar missions to ultimately colonize Mars and further explore our solar system.
Structural optimization techniques are a well-known approach for improving product performances. Often, optimization procedures do not include manufacturing constraints arising from corporate technologies. This aspect becomes a disadvantage in the design review phase when the final product release is a trade-off between optimization results and manufacturing constraints. This paper describes a specific new approach, which considers product/process guidelines an input/output data in the optimization phase. The study case is represented by a high performance aeronautic seat structure having as mission profiles the SAE-AS Standard, in order to demonstrate occupant protection when a seat/occupant/restraint system is subjected to statically applied ultimate loads and to dynamic impact test conditions. The authors' aim, in accordance with standards' requirements, is to achieve a final design based on an optimized structural solution for the chosen process technologies, taking into account the low volume production and typical attitude of the aeronautical industry. The presented study case offers the proper reference in order to extend this methodology to more complex structural applications.
With current space exploration roadmaps indicating the Moon as a proving ground on the way to human exploration of Mars, it is clear that human-robotic partnerships will play a key role for successful future human space missions. This paper details a conceptual end-to-end architecture for an exploration mission in cis-lunar space with a focus on human-robot interactions, called Human Assisted Robotic Vehicle Studies (HARVeSt). HARVeSt will build on knowledge of plant growth in space gained from experiments on-board the ISS and test the first growth of plants on the Moon. A planned deep space habitat will be utilised as the base of operations for human-robotic elements of the mission. The mission will serve as a technology demonstrator not only for autonomous teleoperations in cis-lunar space but also for key enabling technologies for future human surface missions. The successful approach of the ISS will be built on in this mission with international cooperation. Mission assets such as a modular rover will allow for an extendable mission and to scout and prepare the area for the start of an international Moon Village.
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