Mission Options Scoping Tool for Mars Orbiters: Mass-Cost Calculator (MC2)

Paper number

IAC-07-D1.3.02

Author

Mr. Erick J. Sturm II, Jet Propulsion Laboratory / CalTech, United States

Coauthor

Paul Kudrle, United States

Coauthor

Ms. Marie-Jose Deutsch, Jet Propulsion Laboratory / CalTech, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Robert Kinsey, The Aerospace Corporation, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Roy Nakagawa, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Alex Evans, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States

Coauthor

Ms. Corey Harmon, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Nino Lopez, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States

Year

2007

Abstract

Prior to developing the details of an advanced mission study, the mission architecture option trade space is typically explored to assess the scope of feasible solutions. In this paper we present the main features of a computational tool, called the Mass-Cost-Calculator (MC2), which would be used to perform high-level (i.e., system and subsystem level) and rapid (i.e., on the order of a few hours) mass and cost options analysis. With the help of this tool, the targeted Mars orbiter mission concepts are derived from a database that contains mission parameters for a variety of Mars-related flight system designs and payload types. Specifically, MC2 consists of a combination of analytical solutions, parametric relationships, and rule-of-thumb approximations to enable quick evaluation of new mission concepts and comparison of multiple flight options. The tool’s outputs provide program management and planning teams with answers to “what if” queries during the pre-project planning phase for both competed and directed missions.
 
     The tool is also useful for assessing the impact of changes in payloads and mission design parameters to the overall mass and cost calculations, and thus aids in the early phases of payload and mission concept definition tasks. The methodology is illustrated through examples of “what if” queries, effects of multiple payload options, and varying orbital parameters.

     The MC2 tool lends itself to preliminary feasibility studies, performed prior to initiating a full-up concurrent engineering design team (i.e., JPL Advanced Projects Design Team or “Team X”) session to generate a detailed mission concept design. Thus, MC2 could be used to scope mission options during Team X pre-sessions, which could help reduce time and cost to the customer during the full Team X sessions. Furthermore, MC2 could effectively be used by program and proposal study leads, the full or subset of Team-X, systems engineers, and mission architects. The architecture of the tool allows for future expansion to other orbiters beyond Mars, and to non-orbiter type missions, such as those involving probes, landers, rovers or other in-situ mission elements.

     The MC2 capability could assist NASA’s Mars Pre-Project and Advanced Studies Office in support of NASA’s Mars exploration plans to explore the mission trade space, narrow the choices to a set of feasible options, and converge toward an initial concept or architecture prior to proceeding to a more detailed mission study, thus saving valuable time and cost resources.

Abstract document

IAC-07-D1.3.02.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-D1.3.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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