Identification of Automation Opportunities
Construction, although the world's largest industry, is also its most archaic. Most construction practices are very labor-intensive, with resulting impacts on safety, productivity,...

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...

Transportation by Pipelines in Space Colonies
The use of pipelines in space colonies to transport liquid, gas, solids and even passengers is not only feasible but also desirable. For many applications, pipelines offer a number of...

Extraterrestrials Excavation and Mining with Explosives
Explosion excavation technology may become a valuable tool for economic and efficient base station construction on extraterrestrial bodies. Criteria for explosives which can safely be...

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,...

Spacecraft Environments: Design Considerations
Design, launch, assembly in orbit, and operation of large space-based systems involve much detailed analysis to ensure mission success. The area of contamination control and environmental...

Robotics Research for Construction in Space
Research in construction robotics, terrestrial or otherwise, has focused on issues which are broadly pertinent to space applications. Construction robotics, as addressed by this writer,...

Adaptable Crew Facilities for Future Space Modules
This paper discusses life-size studies recently carried out on advanced crew accommodation features for future space module utilization. The studies are based on exploratory designs for...

Planar Space Structures
This paper describes a construction system which has a number of practical advantages for the development of space structures. It uses relatively thin materials folded into interpenetrated...

Space Station - New Venture/Old Problem
Four key operations-related costs are associated with the Space Station: (1) transportation, (2) data management, (3) sustaining engineering, and (4) integrated logistics. Life cycle cost...

The Role of a Mobile Transporter in Large Space Structures Assembly and Maintenance
Large space structures require a vehicle to support assembly, operations, and maintenance. These vehicles may be designed for specific tasks or for general use throughout the life of the...

Survey of Soviet Space Welding Technology Development
Soviet engineers clearly recognize the potential value of welding for maintenance, repair, and fabrication of structures in space. The development of this technology has followed a steady...

Solar Power Satellite - A Re-Visit
The United States should renew activities investigating the production of baseload electrical power for use on Earth from space. Technology change, world events, and the dictates of the...

Comparisons Between Space Facilities and Earth-Based Analogs
This presentation will focus on the design of planetary bases and space stations as based on comparative designs for facilities in analogous harsh and isolated environments here on Earth....

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...

The Human Element in Space: Lessons from Antarctica
The human ability to adapt and perform in an extreme environment during periods of prolonged isolation is influenced by a number of social, cultural, and psychological parameters. These...

Space Operations - Care and Handling of Remains
On earth, effective methods have accommodated all functional and operational facilities and entities necessary for the handling of human remains. None have been overlooked or omitted....

XLA -- The X-ray Large Array
The Naval Research Laboratory, Stanford University, and The University of Washington have proposed a large (100 square meters) array of X-ray detectors, called XLA, to be built at the...

A New Approach to Higher Education on Space
Many universities around the country offer various types of space-related programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. These tend to be narrowly focused on space science or aerospace...

Report on the International Space UniversityTM 1988 Summer Session and Lunar Design Project
This paper describes the 1988 Summer Session of the International Space University (ISU) and the International Lunar Initiative (ILI) Design Project, taking place for nine weeks in the...

 

 

 

 

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