NASA Mission Logistics Dream

Logistics-Oriented Spacecraft

The project I'd like to see NASA perform is the reconstruction of an identical expedition judiciously applying efficiencies without fundamentally changing the equipment. New generations of these successful platforms could be created and deployed at a lower cost than the original.

Minor improvements could be applied to to the equipment provided certain guidelines are maintained:
  • The change increases efficiency, quality, or reduces weight.
  • The changes are contained within constraints of interchangeable sub-assemblies, meaning changes are forward and backward compatible. This is to improve maintainability in space.
  • Sub-assemblies are encouraged to be consistent with sub-assemblies in other projects.
The planning scope would contain new projects, sure, but not all new projects would need to be "new". The planning missions could take a more modular approach with an overall equipment strategy based on a known base of designs.

Example: Mars Curiosity Rover

Mars Curiosity has been off for over a decade. In that time, maybe communications have improved a bit, or computers, or rockets, or whatever, but implement those improvements only in the context of an overall project that is identical so it doesn't need to be redesigned. Maybe things are slightly lighter. Slightly more efficient. And so on.

Then, bid out for contract the various components of the system to the most efficient implementers. And, of course, make the components compatible with each other so that if there is a mission to Mars, engineers can swap out parts of systems that have failed with parts from the other missions, and continue onward.

Example: Hubble Telescope

What a phenomenal success Hubble was! The Webb Space Telescope will likely also be a success but with a much more limited life. It is a better telescope, but when the cryogenic fluid expires, the mission will be over.

The Hubble Telescope is powered by solar energy and has had a successful mission for 25 years. If there were ten, twenty, or thirty Hubble Telescopes available for research usage, the search for killer asteroids, exoplanets, and the fundamental nature of dark energy would greatly be assisted.

Example: Apollo Mission or Orion

The Apollo mission was a long time ago, over 40 years, and that technology has disappeared. To reproduce the capabilities, a complete re-design is needed. When we design with Orion, let's not lose that level of capability again.

Example: Sensors

Older designs may lack temperature, shake and accelerometer sensors that would help to squeeze greater efficiency out of systems. By re-using existing designs with higher capacity sensors, the capability can be increased.

Component Systems

Rockets

If the Microwave Engine is a real thing, then these need to be reused and swapped out in space where their efficiencies are most available. The Microwave Engine itself should be constructed of interchangeable parts.

Thrusters

Solar Panels

They collect sunlight, and space is big. Old solar panel designs should be reusable. Period. New designs should be able to be specified to a craft system.

Radio Communications


Launch Vehicles

Rockets. Space-X is doing a good job creating reusable launch vehicles. It would be my assumption that there would be cross-generational compatibility between the rockets.

Environmental Components

Heating, cooling, water recirculation, etc.

Final Thoughts

Until the logistics of space exploration is viewed in a logistical capacity, space exploration will not be transformative.

I first wrote about my view for the Mars Flotilla in 2016 which at its core is a collection of spacecraft for crew transport, agricultural, mechanical and logistical support for missions between Earth and Mars. Work for repairs and upgrades could be performed in the Flotilla with mission equipment joining and participating.



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