Space Systems

This paper represents a joint effort of various scholars, independent scientists and a student operating through the Interstellar Travel MeetUp group, based in Washington, D.C. in the United States of America. The project was presented during the 68th International Astronautical Federation Congress, which took place in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2016. Our paper provides a systematic evaluation of power systems in terms of their power generation capacity, size, risks and availability led to the finding that no current one single power system can be relied upon for interstellar travel. Our contribution offers considerations on topics such as space resupply stations, wireless power transmission to spaceships (while at high velocity, using tracking/tethering with lasers), as well as harvesting drones. Futuristic propulsion technologies like the ionic levitation, laser, warp and solar concentrator are considered as alternatives for current propulsion systems. In addition to placing an emphasis on fundamental physics and propulsion research, the authors propose two novel initiatives that will advance interstellar technology while producing already-valuable technologies for terrestrial and orbital use:  1) An educational development initiative – The ‘Nicola Energy City Kit’is based on existing wireless power transmission technology and existing CanSat technology – to advance wireless power and data transmission for terrestrial and interstellar use. These technologies can affordably be tested on Earth first, and then in space. We propose a broad-based open education program that also motivates students to engage in STEM-related jobs. 2) A mobile save testing bed (‘sandbox’) for radical energy concepts – The UMPH lab is an unmanned outpost that accumulates large quantities of matter in save distance from Earth and conducts autonomous experiments, while harvesting energy or matter for the science and in-orbit resupplies.

Advances in technology, causing increasing size and complexity of systems, are constantly urging system engineers to develop innovative tools and techniques to better address new challenges. The development of modern technologies towards advancing space systems capabilities has been equally met with increasing risk and cost. In order to minimize the impact due to the failure of a single launch or to budget cut, space exploration has been mainly characterized by a series of monolithic missions, largely independent from one another. Recently, new paths have been proposed to deal with new issues in space systems engineering: ESA developed a facility to apply the Concurrent Engineering method to the design of future space missions, thus recognizing the importance of integrated development, parallelization of tasks, and top-down approach, when dealing with systems having partial dependencies to each other. NASA has begun to interface spacecraft on different missions towards a common goal (Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter provides mapping of Mars, but also served as communications relay during the landing of Curiosity rover), thus adding flexibility and reliability to space exploration. Approaches aimed at increasing sustainability of space missions, and reliability and scalability of space systems (modularity, on-orbit assembly, network of intermediate exploration missions) have also been undertaken. Based on such considerations, this paper introduces new tools and techniques to address architecture and design of future space missions and systems. Recognizing the importance of interdependency between components in space systems, and among complex systems, we propose techniques to perform and exploit analysis of dependencies, both operational and developmental. We identify metrics to assess and measure the system value, with respect to desired features. Operational dependency analysis is then used to evaluate and compare different architectures and designs, both in the final stage of development, and when only partial development has been achieved. The paper then shows how the developmental dependency analysis is used to drive parallel development of component systems in order to increase flexibility and partial capability, and to reduce risk. The techniques are scalable and can be applied to a variety of scenarios. As an example of application, hypothetical space missions are considered, and analyzed by means of the proposed tools. The results show both the important contribution of dependency analysis techniques to future space development and the potentiality to further improve these tools.