Generalized Multicommodity Network Flow Model for the Earth–Moon–Mars Logistics System
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de Weck_Generalized multicommodity.pdf
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Author(s)
Ohkami, Yoshiaki
Shishko, Robert
Ishimatsu, Takuto
Hoffman, Jeffrey A
de Weck, Olivier L
Date Issued
November 2015
Journal
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
Publisher
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Citation
Ishimatsu, Takuto, Olivier L. de Weck, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Yoshiaki Ohkami, and Robert Shishko. “Generalized Multicommodity Network Flow Model for the Earth–Moon–Mars Logistics System.” Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets 53, no. 1 (January 2016): 25–38.
Version
Author's final manuscript
Abstract
Simple logistics strategies such as “carry-along” and Earth-based “resupply” were sufficient for past human space programs. Next-generation space logistics paradigms are expected to be more complex, involving multiple exploration destinations and in situ resource utilization. Optional in situ resource utilization brings additional complexity to the interplanetary supply chain network design problem. This paper presents an interdependent network flow modeling method for determining optimal logistics strategies for space exploration and its application to the human exploration of Mars. It is found that a strategy using lunar resources in the cislunar network may improve overall launch mass to low Earth orbit for recurring missions to Mars compared to NASA’s Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0, even when including the mass of the in situ resource utilization infrastructures that need to be predeployed. Other findings suggest that chemical propulsion using liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen, lunar in situ resource utilization water production, and the use of aerocapture significantly contribute to reducing launch mass from Earth. A sensitivity analysis of in situ resource utilization reveals that, under the given assumptions, local lunar resources become attractive at productivity levels above 1.8 kg / year / kg in the context of future human exploration of Mars.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute for Data, Systems, and Society
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Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.2514/1.a33235
