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 (ISRU). Optional ISRU 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 utilizing 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 ISRU infrastructures that need to be pre-deployed. Other findings suggest that chemical propulsion using LOX/LH[subscript 2], lunar ISRU water production, and the use of aerocapture significantly contribute to reducing launch mass from Earth. A sensitivity analysis of ISRU 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.
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机译：简单的后勤战略，例如“随身携带”和基于地球的“补给”，足以满足过去的人类太空计划。下一代太空物流范例预计会更加复杂，涉及多个勘探目的地和现场资源利用（ISRU）。可选的ISRU给星际供应链网络设计问题带来了额外的复杂性。本文提出了一种用于确定太空探索最佳物流策略的相互依赖的网络流建模方法，并将其应用于火星的人类探索。研究发现，与NASA的“火星设计参考架构” 5.0相比，利用月球网络中的月球资源的策略与“美国国家航空航天局”的“火星设计参考架构” 5.0相比，可以改善向低地球轨道发射的整体发射质量，即使其中包括需要预先准备的ISRU基础设施的质量部署。其他发现表明，使用LOX / LH [下标2]进行化学推进，ISRU登月水的生产以及航空器的使用显着有助于减少来自地球的发射质量。 ISRU的敏感性分析表明，在给定的假设下，在人类未来对火星的探索中，当月生产力超过1.8 kg / year / kg时，本地月球资源变得有吸引力。
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