Economic Analysis of a Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Propellant Services Market
- Paper number
IAC-07-A5.1.03
- Author
Mr. A.C. Charania, SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI), United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Dominic DePasquale, SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI), United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) capabilities may potentially enable a new market for supply of propellants, oxygen, and other consumables of value both to NASA (in support of exploration efforts) and to commercial customers (for new in-space services). For this preliminary examination, an economic analysis is performed of a company that produces propellant and oxygen on the Moon. Three business case studies of such a company are explored: (Case 1) sale of propellant and oxygen on the lunar surface, (Case 2) sale of propellant to a government customer in LLO, and (Case 3) sale of propellant to a commercial customer in GEO. The period of operations examined coincides with planned NASA lunar missions; from 2022 to 2031. Economic analysis was performed using spreadsheet-based business models built upon SEI’s Cost and Business Analysis Module (CABAM). Credible estimates of future vehicles necessary to provide services in this market (e.g. vehicle to transfer propellant from Lunar surface to customers in LLO) were also developed using SEI’s StageSizer tool. The ProbWorks suite of Excel® plug-in tools was used to examine uncertainty through probabilistic analysis. This study provides quantitative costs and benefits associated with a company offering these services. The price per kilogram that a company must charge for consumables produced through ISRU in order to be an economically viable business concern is determined. Information useful for considering the potential role for ISRU services in NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration architecture is also presented in this study.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-A5.1.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.