LUNAR IN-SITU RESOURCE UTILIZATION IN THE ISECG HUMAN LUNAR EXPLORATION REFERENCE ARCHITECTURE
Sanders, Gerald B ; Carey, William C ; Lorenzoni, Andrea ; - ASI Sponsor
Jan - 2010

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type: Conference Proceedings

Abstract
In May 2007, the “Global Exploration Strategy (GES): The Framework for Coordination” document was published, signed by 14 international space agencies to present a vision for a coordinated approach to robotic and human space exploration, with a focus on destinations within the Solar System where humans may one day live and work. Later the same year, and based on this document, these fourteen space agencies established the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) – a voluntary, non-binding international coordination mechanism with the intention of providing a framework to coordinate space exploration efforts across the globe. In July of 2008, the members of the ISECG agreed to collectively explore ideas and plans for human exploration of the Moon as a first step in jointly defining objectives and mission scenarios, with the goal of defining a global reference architecture for human lunar exploration by mid 2010. In support of this effort, a Campaign Integration Team and a number of Function Teams were established by the ISECG under the auspices of an International Architecture Working Group (IAWG), consisting of representatives of interested space agencies, to define the purpose, critical functions and technologies, incorporating strategic guidelines, and hardware elements needed to meet the goals and objectives for human exploration of the Moon established by the ISECG. This paper will present an overview of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) development activities and areas of interest of the international space agencies participating in the ISECG process. A brief summary of the ISECG Reference Architecture for Human Lunar Exploration will also be given highlighting the common goals and strategic guidance which drove the architecture development. The main focus will be on the approach followed to incorporate ISRU into the lunar exploration campaign, detailing the various key considerations, including the rationale for demonstration, pilot and full implementation system deployment, with the overall objective being to enable long-term sustainability. A description of the ISRU elements under consideration will also be given. Finally, the various options possible for international collaboration will be reviewed, together with past and previous ISRU-related analogue field testing and possible future robotic precursor flight opportunities.

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