Title: Benchmarking the human exploration of Mars Design Reference Architecture

Authors: Ja'Mar A. Watson

Addresses: Watson Institute for Scientific Engineering Research, 4201 Wilson Blvd Ste 110-444, Arlington, VA 22203, USA

Abstract: This research benchmarks the Mars DRA 5.0 by quantifying its mission utility in satisfying mission objectives derived from human exploration of Mars community consensus. Acolytion's Progspexion is utilised for modelling and simulation of the DRA in determination of potential mission outcomes and computation of crewed mission to Mars metrics. While establishing a baseline performance, the research determines the DRA's mission utility is limited due to a lack of its consideration during design. In addition, the research indicates the DRA simultaneously contains an overwhelming number of single points of failure with high criticality and lacks an adequate hierarchy of contingency and abort strategies to preclude loss of mission and crew fatality.

Keywords: design reference architecture; DRA; mission utility analysis; human spaceflight; Mars exploration; space mission simulation; Progspexion.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPACESE.2019.097410

International Journal of Space Science and Engineering, 2019 Vol.5 No.2, pp.138 - 158

Received: 17 Mar 2018
Accepted: 11 Jun 2018
Published online: 21 Jan 2019 *

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