In-space assembly-servicing requirements

Abstract

A method for developing the requirements for in-space assembly, servicing, and checkout of proposed Mars space transfer vehicles is discussed. Required in-space operations and functions are identified in relation to various Earth to Orbit (ETO) vehicles by looking at the manifesting options of baseline Mars Space Transfer Vehicles (STV). Each operation is then reduced to a minimum complexity state resulting in a set of operational primitive functions. These primitive functions are used to assess the trade-offs between robotic, telerobotic, and EVA operations. The study demonstrates that the complexity of the in-space operations remains stable with ETO vehicle size, and therefore the functions, and ultimately the infrastructure required to support proposed missions, are relatively unaffected by varying the ETO vehicle size within the range considered for this study.