Main Results of a “Permanent Human Moon Base” Project Work Activity 2006-2007

Paper number

IAC-08.E1.2.11

Author

Dr. Nicole Viola, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Coauthor

Prof. Ernesto Vallerani, International Space Pioneers, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Piero Messidoro, Thales Alenia Space Italy, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Claudio Ferro, Thales Alenia Space Italy, Italy

Year

2008

Abstract

The second edition of the Post Graduate International Master in Space Exploration and Development Systems “SEEDS” started in November 2006 and was successfully completed in December 2007.
The Master program comprises two different steps in sequence:
1. an initial “Learning Phase”, lasting about six months, during which the Students attend courses and perform exercises with the aim of understanding space basic concepts and learning the fundamentals of Space Systems Engineering Design;
2. a “Project Work Phase”, lasting about eight months, during which the Students carry out the conceptual design of an exploration mission and a space architecture matching the mission objectives.
Both the “Learning Phase” and the “Project Work” phase pursue a multidisciplinary approach, where all specialized disciplines are blended together and integrated to make the Students able to acquire the system view and then to accomplish the conceptual design, through the Systems Engineering approach, of a selected case-study, which in the second edition of the SEEDS Master was a Permanent Human Moon Base.
The distinguishing feature of SEEDS Master is without any doubt the Project Work activity, performed by all Students together under the supervision of academic and industrial Tutors, coordinated by the Education Project Manager. Main objective of the Project Work is to train the Students on the basic principles of the System Engineering Design, through their application on a well defined project related to a specific space exploration mission.
The Project Work of the second edition of the SEEDS Master included:
1. a Preparatory Work, during which the Students focused on the investigations of the whys and wheres of Moon exploration, on the definition of the mission statement, mission objectives and top level system requirements and then on the accomplishment of the top level functional analysis with the final results of the identification of the complete architecture of the Permanent Human Moon Base;
2. Conceptual Design activities in three different European sites (Toulouse, Bremen and Torino) to develop a limited number of building blocks identified during the Preparatory Work.
The paper focuses on the Preparatory Work activities, thus illustrating the whole mission scenario and the complete architecture of the Permanent Human Moon Base and gives an overview of the main results obtained by the implementation of the Systems Engineering Approach to the Conceptual Design of the case-study.
The positive experience of the second year activities of SEEDS is brought to evidence and the lessons learned are discussed.

Abstract document

IAC-08.E1.2.11.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.E1.2.11.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.