Synthesis of a Space Infrastructure

by Ronald M. Jones, Rockwell Int, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space II

Abstract:

The Rockwell International 'Integrated Space Plan' consolidates a broad range of near-term and long-range objectives for the development of space. Beginning with the Space Shuttle and the establishment of Space Station Freedom, it logically extrapolates a course: back to the Moon, on to Mars, laying the ground work for the emergence of space commerce and in-space industrial activity, exploitation of solar resources, development of human communities in space, and eventually planetary terraforming and human interstellar migration. The hundreds of elements necessary to support this very-long-range vision are chronologically presented in a 120-plus year projection which identifies supporting, evolutionary, and synergistic technology and program interrelationships. At it's heart is a long-term growth strategy that emphasizes resiliency and robustness in any future space transportation system architecture and a philosophical approach to infrastructure development, which would assure that the elements we emplace now will satisfy strategic objective of tapping into the vast material and energy wealth of the inner solar system.

Subject Headings: Space stations | Space exploration | Space colonies | Aerospace engineering | Systems engineering | Infrastructure resilience | Industries

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