Integrated modeling and simulation of lunar exploration campaign logistics

As NASA prepares to establish a manned outpost on the lunar surface, it is essential to consider the logistics of both the construction and operation of this outpost. This thesis presents an interplanetary supply chain management and logistics planning and simulation software tool, SpaceNet, developed to assist mission architects, planners, systems engineers and logisticians in performing analysis on what will be needed to support future human exploration missions, primarily in the Earth-Moon-Mars system. Also presented in this thesis are the results of numerous trade studies performed using SpaceNet to determining the best mix of mission types (pre-positioning, carry-along and resupply) to achieve sustainable, robust space exploration. These trade studies focus on analyzing notional mission architectures in terms of scientific benefit, logistical overhead and robustness to campaign level risks such as flight delays, flight cancellations and uncertain demand parameters. The significant findings presented in this thesis broadly fall into three categories: a demonstration of the value of integrated modeling and simulation of campaign logistics, the best logistics strategy for the establishment of a lunar outpost, and suggestions to reduce campaign level risk.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Shull, Sarah A. (Sarah Anderson)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Olivier L. de Weck.

• Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/39711

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/39711