Exploration Systems Architecture Study: Concept for More Affordable and Sustainable Ground Operations

Abstract

*Ground operations and infrastructure for human space exploration at the launch site was an important element of NASA’s recent Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS). This paper documents the architectural concept of operations and the key design challenges, considerations, and constraints—thus covering the overall rationale of the ground operations elements of the ESAS reference architecture. Driving this architecture was a constant assessment of the non-recurring affordability and the recurring operational performance and sustainability of the total ground system. The paper further describes the structured approach at defining the total ground system and insuring that as many ground operations and infrastructure functions were addressed so as to arrive at realistic cost estimates. Finally, the paper outlines the major operability and supportability drivers that were developed during the ESAS effort to encourage flight system concepts that were inherently simpler and more easily supported by the ground crew.