I. AbstractThe Habitat Demonstration Unit (HDU) project team constructed an analog prototype lunar surface laboratory called the Pressurized Excursion Module (PEM). The prototype unit subsystems were integrated in a short amount of time, utilizing a rapid prototyping approach that brought together over 20 habitation-related technologies from a variety of NASA centers. This paper describes the system integration strategies and lessons learned, that allowed the PEM to be brought from paper design to working field prototype using a multi-center team.The system integration process was based on a rapid prototyping approach. Tailored design review and test and integration processes facilitated that approach. The use of collaboration tools including electronic tools as well as documentation enabled a geographically distributed team take a paper concept to an operational prototype in approximately one year. One of the major tools used in the integration strategy was a coordinated effort to accurately model all the subsystems using computer aided design (CAD), so conflicts were identified before physical components came together.A deliberate effort was made following the deployment of the HDU PEM for field operations to collect lessons learned to facilitate process improvement and inform the design of future flight or analog versions of habitat systems. Significant items within those lessons learned were limitations with the CAD integration approach and the impact of shell design on flexibility of placing systems within the HDU shell. II. BackgroundA technique being utilized in NASA's exploration architecture analysis is rapid prototyping for analog testing in relevant environments such as desert locales as seen in Ref. 1. Running through potential "day in the life" scenarios at an outpost with prototype equipment allows designers insight into the utilization of the proposed systems and refines architecture and operations concepts. A series of Desert Research and Technology Studies (RaTS) have been held in locations such as Moses Lake, Washington, Black Point Lava Flow, and SP Crater, Arizona, where the most recent tests in September 2010 were performed simulating a 14-21 day lunar mission. A depiction of the lunar architecture 2 under evaluation in the Desert RaTS 2010 campaign is depicted in Figure 1.
I. AbstractThe Habitat Demonstration Unit (HDU) is an experimental exploration habitat technology and architecture test platform designed for analog demonstration activities. The HDU project has required a team to integrate a variety of contributions from NASA centers and outside collaborators. A notable challenge the HDU project has faced has been integrating these disparate efforts into a cohesive architecture. To complete the development of the HDU, from conception in June 2009 to rollout for operations in July 2010, a cohesive integration strategy has been developed. An integration strategy provides the necessary steps to integrate the various systems of HDU and the payloads, such as the Geology Lab, that those systems will support. The utilization of interface design standards and uniquely tailored reviews have allowed for an accelerated· design process. Scheduled activities include early fit-checks and the utilization of a habitat avionics test bed prior to equipment installation into HDU. A coordinated effort to utilize modeling and simulation systems has aided in design and integration concept development. Modeling tools have been effective in hardware systems layout, cable routing and length estimation, and human factors analysis. Decision processes on the shell development, including the assembly sequence and the transportation, have been fleshed out early on HDU designs to maximize the efficiency of both integration and field operations. Incremental test operations leading up to an integrated systems test has allowed for an orderly systems test program. The HDU will begin its journey as an emulation of a Pressurized Excursion Module (PEM) for 2010 field testing. It may evolve to a Pressurized Core Module (PCM) or a habitat and laboratory combination for 2011 and later field tests, depending on agency architecture decisions. The HDU deployment will vary slightly from current lunar architecture plans to include developmental hardware and software items and additional systems utilized as opportunities for technology demonstration. Another notable HDU challenge has been designing with the idea that the' team be prepared for the integration of presently unanticipated systems. Results of the HDU field tests will influence future designs of habitat systems II. BackgroundA technique being utilized in NASA's exploration architecture analysis is analog testing of a lunar or Mars environment in desert locales. Running through potential "day in the life" scenarios at an exploration outpost with prototype equipment allows designers insight into the utilization of the proposed systems and refines architecture and operations concepts. A series of Desert Research and Technology Studies (RaTS) have been held in locations such as Moses Lake, Washington and Black Point Lava Flow, Arizona, where the most recent test in September 2009 was performed with a Space Exploration Vehicle rover, and a fourteen day lunar excursion was practiced. The 2010 session of Desert RaTS is planned again for Black Point Lava Flow where two S...
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