LEAP2 and LCATS Industry Clusters: A Framework for Lunar Site Technology Development Using Global Space-STEM Education and Global Space-Industry Development Networks

Paper number

IAC-17,E1,5,5,x40316

Author

Mr. Samuel Ximenes, WEX Foundation, United States

Coauthor

Dr. SherylLynn Roberts, University of Texas at San Antonio, United States

Coauthor

Prof. Tai Sik Lee, Korea, Republic of

Coauthor

Dr. Hyu-Soung Shin, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT), Korea, Republic of

Coauthor

Prof. Bernard Foing, ESA/ESTEC, ILEWG & VU Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Prof. Carlos Duarte, Agencia Espacial Mexicana (AEM), Mexico

Year

2017

Abstract

Industry clusters, considered the building blocks of modern economies is an economic concept used to identify and define the geospatial density, growth and network behavior associated with innovation and economic performance. Our reserch uses cluster analysis related to space-STEM education and space-industry to identify aerospace system-sector industry clusters and factors on a global scale related to Lunar Site Technology Development (LSTD). The goal is to document and encourage space-industry cluster network development, facilitating space-STEM workforce and economic development for communities, based on technologies relevant to particular community areas of interest and aerospace resources. Using a wheel model of unique industrial system-sectors needed for LTSD, analyses and documentation of clusters and factors can assist potential system-sector collaborators in commercial exploration architecture development to cluster network participation and design of space-STEM development.
Currently, system sector components for lunar exploration architecture: Satellite Communications (Mexico), Mission Operations (Germany), ISRU Vacuum Chamber Test Environment (Korea), and Lunar Ecosystem and Architectural Prototype development (United States) are underway through the LCATS and LEAP2 Global Space-STEM Education Network project, “Lunar Caves Analog Test Sites (LCATS) for Space-STEM Learning Performance”, featuring a Lunar Ecosystem and Architectural Prototype (LEAP2). 
To expand the LCATS and LEAP2 initiative, our research seeks to identify, map, and analyze potential collaborating corporate and industry players representing other system-sector components needed for lunar site development from the perspective of evolving a global space-STEM education network beneficial to the local community of the collaborating organization relevant to their expertise in system-sector component development. Expertise sought includes mining and energy generation; food and waste processing; water production for fuels; vehicles and equipment systems, and logistics, to name a few.  Aspects examined include local, regional, and international factors associated with space-industry cluster development that facilitate future exploration architecture collaboration with the LEAP2/LCATS initiative.

Abstract document

IAC-17,E1,5,5,x40316.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-17,E1,5,5,x40316.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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