Alternatives for the U.S. Manned Space Program
There are a number of directions the U.S. space program could take. Should a space station be built? Should a lunar outpost be constructed? Should the U.S. plan a manned trip to Mars?...
Constraints on Lunar Base Construction
This article discusses the development of scenarios and designs for the construction of a lunar base or network of bases, which will require close attention to the natural and human constraints...
Environmental Considerations for Lunar Base Engineering
Currently a large number of conceptual designs are being offered for the lunar base involving various types of structural materials and equipment for construction or resource recovery....
Use of Non-Terrestrial Materials for Large-Scale Space Activities
As the space program matures, space construction will evolve from assembly and deployment of systems fabricated on the Earth to projects constructed from locally available resources. The...
Basing Options for Lunar Oxygen for Manned Mars Missions
The use of lunar oxygen to support lunar space transportation reduces Earth launch mass requirements by a factor of 2. In this paper, the authors show that lunar oxygen can also reduce...
A Space-Based Communications Concept to Support Mars Exploration Missions
Both the Soviet Union and the United States have expressed a desire to conduct further exploration of Mars and both sides have raised the possibility of joint Mars missions. In addition,...
Design Requirements for a Mars Base Greenhouse
One potential method of supplying life support to a manned base on Mars utilizes a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). A major component of the CELSS is a plant growth unit...
Radiation Hazards to Space Construction - The Energetic Particle Environments
Many aspects of the space environment are recognized hazards for activities above the Earth's atmosphere. One of the most dramatic hazards is that posed by the diverse energetic...
Telerobotics Design Issues for Space Construction
The efforts of a recent study aimed at identifying key issues and trade-offs associated with using a Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS) to aid in Space Station construction phase tasks...
Space Truss Construction Studies
The ACCESS Shuttle Flight Experiment, designed to evaluate EVA for on-orbit assembly of erectable truss structure, is reviewed and principal results are summarized. In addition, two on-going...
The Second Generation Space Station
Several aspects of optimizing space operations have been examined to identify key components in establishing a more efficient space infrastructure. A second generation space station situated...
Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Near-Term Space Missions
Potential uses of nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) for earth-orbit, lunar, and martian missions are analyzed. NEP systems allow a higher payload mass fraction than chemical systems. NEP...
Waste Management: Project Mercury to the Space Station
This paper presents my perceptions of the design of waste management systems for manned space flights. I'll follow the evolution of waste management from the early Mercury...
Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure in Space Activities
Non-ionizing radiation exposure has received considerable attention over the past few years due to the potential health hazards involved. Different limits have been set with no international...
Commercial Exploitation of Space Resources Under the `Moon Treaty'
The advancement of space technology over the last few decades has aroused in private enterprise an interest in exploiting space resources. The necessary legal structure regulating space...
Gas Recycling: A Bioregenerative Life Support System
The prospect of a lunar or earth-orbiting space station raises the question of life support for long periods of time with little or no support from earth. The cost of lifting supplies...
Objectives of a Space Station
A space station provides the next step in expanding human frontiers. The space station will produce certain short-term benefits as well as create a space infrastructure. Manned exploration...
Solutions to Space Station Designs
Any space station that is to be designed for extended human use may require gravity. The artificial gravity field required can be produced by rotating the structure. As the Soviets have...
Potential Application of Space Station Technology in Lunar Bases and Manned Mars Missions
To meet the goals of its Space Station program, NASA is developing a large set of improved space systems capabilities. In areas such as power generation and distribution, on-board data...
Underwater Testing in the Development of EVA Support Systems
The ability to simulate realistic zero-g conditions on Earth is of prime importance in determining if various orbital operations associated with extravehicular activity (EVA) can actually...
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