International Approach for Commercial Cargo Logistics to ISS and Beyond

Paper number

IAC-06-B4.4.06

Author

Mr. Frank. A. Slazer, United Launch Alliance, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Rachid Amekrane, EADS Astrium GmbH, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Yasunobu Yoshida, Japan

Year

2006

Abstract

As the Space Shuttle nears its retirement in 2010, the ISS Partners face a challenge in providing full ISS support – including external cargo and sufficient consumables to support a six person crew. Progress spacecraft are not able to meet all of these requirements and the existing, ISS qualified cargo transfer vehicles (ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle and JAXA’s H-II Transfer Vehicle; generically abbreviated as TVs) were designed to support ISS requirements in combination with the Space Shuttle.  
  In response to this ISS support challenge, three of the ISS Prime Contractors, Boeing, EADS SPACE Transportation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have developed a commercial concept which provides low-risk ISS cargo support by adapting the existing TV’s to the new ISS cargo requirements, using the fully operational Delta IV Heavy (DIV-H) launch vehicle. These adapted TVs require minimal development investment to meet the post-Shuttle ISS cargo delivery requirements, and can support future space exploration logistics requirements as well.
  The commercial TV concept adapts HTV to ISS external cargo delivery and disposal requirements and adapts ATV and the HTV to ISS internal cargo delivery and disposal requirements. The capability to nearly double ATV’s internal cargo capability by offloading propellant enables it to synergistically support a doubling of the HTV’s external cargo capability. The adapted TVs deliver significantly more cargo mass and volume per mission, resulting in a reduced number of annual launches needed to support ISS.
  A discriminating feature of this approach is the use of ISS certified hardware with only secondary structure modifications, dramatically reducing development costs and risks. A combination of only three adapted TVs annually could meet all NASA requirements for internal and external cargo plus water and gas. Architecture elements are manufactured and processed at the same facilities where currently produced and on-orbit operations of the TVs remain unchanged. Ground and launch operations are centered in Florida using existing facilities capable of accommodating ISS cargo integration, TV processing, and Delta IV launches. Backup launches are possible using the Ariane 5 for ATV and H-IIB for HTV.
  We describe the commercial end-to-end cargo logistics service for ISS conducted by an international industrial partnership. We explain the usage and modifications of the existing and ISS-certified assets and include an implementation plan showing the achievable start of service in 2009. The paper also contains a brief outlook of further evolutionary concepts of the TVs which could support future exploration logistics.

Abstract document

IAC-06-B4.4.06.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-B4.4.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.