A GenCorp Company

An Architecture for Sustainable Human Exploration of Space

2

Human Space Exploration Objectives & Experience

• All-up architectures demonstrated significant advancements, but proved to be unsustainable, unaffordable, and mission inflexible, even with reusable vehicles

• Modular architectures are proving to be sustainable, affordable, and mission flexible

Our experiences provide valuable insight into

an architecture for sustainable human exploration of space

Dedicated cargo missions provided by

autonomous logistics modules from

multiple carriers

ISS demonstrates modular building, ability to

integrate with multiple vehicles

Dedicated crew missions provided by

modules from multiple carriers

3

Sustainable Architecture Characteristics

• Scales to fit available funding profile while achieving long term objectives

– Uses pre-placement & verification of non-time critical elements and successive capabilities demonstrations (modular building)

– Maximizes use of common elements/modules

– Separates crew and cargo missions that optimize vehicle mass & requirements

• Focused on long term logistics support

– Flexibility to support multiple destinations beyond LEO

– Implements modular, fuel efficient transportation systems

A modular architecture enables sustainability

through the use of modular campaigns, missions, and vehicles

Vs.

4

In-Space Propulsion Architecture Significantly Impacts Launcher Requirements and Mission Sustainability

Crew of 4 to Low Mars Orbit and back

Direct Return LEO Return

748

1406

375

588

331

494

304

590

173

336

155

280

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Direct Return LEO Return

IMLE

O, t

Cryo Crew/Cargo

Cryo Crew/SEP Hall Cargo

Cryo Crew/SEP Gridded Ion Cargo

NTR Crew/Cargo

NTR Crew/SEP Hall Cargo

NTR Crew/SEP Gridded Ion Cargo

Direct Return

LEO Return

Separating cargo and crew, using SEP for cargo and high thrust

Chemical or NTR for crew, decreases launcher requirements by 2X

5

Example Modular Mars Mission

SLS + Orion + SEP Cargo and Logistics = Affordable Mars Missions

6

Most Missions will be Cargo Logistics Missions

SEP cargo vehicles support a wide range of missions, from near term ARM

to logistics for human outposts, to SLS class cargo transport to Mars

SEP Module is the Backbone for Future

Missions

Asteroid Retrieval

Satellite Servicing

DoD Orbit Raising

Debris Removal

Science Robotics SLS/Orion Logistics

Planetary Defense Mars Exploration

7

Long Life Hall Thruster Technology is Enabling for SEP Mars Cargo Vehicles

Aerojet has incorporated

zero erosion Hall thruster technology since 2001

8

Conclusion

• Human Exploration of Mars requires a sustainable architecture

• All-up architectures have proven to be unsustainable

• Modular architectures enable sustainability

– Scales to fit available funding profile while achieving long term objectives

• Uses pre-placement & verification of non-time critical elements and successive capabilities demonstrations (modular building)

• Maximizes use of common elements/modules

• Separates crew and cargo missions that optimize vehicle mass & requirements

– Focused on long term logistics support

• Flexibility to support multiple destinations beyond LEO

• Implements modular, fuel efficient transportation systems

A First Step: Establishing Deep Space Logistics

Using current technology in new ways to

establish a new paradigm for in-space

operations and take our first steps in deep

space exploration

Demonstrating Extensible Propulsion Systems

for Cargo Transportation to Mars