A novel approach for life-support-system design for manned space missions

In this paper, a simulation-based optimization approach is proposed to study design of life-support systems, i.e., systems that provide basic life-support elements such as potable water and oxygen, for manned space missions. The method integrates deterministic mathematical programming models, which set tactical control parameters, stochastic discrete-event simulation, which accounts for the uncertainty, and a time-series data-mining approach, which calculates strategic set points for tactical control. Total cost distributions of the system, probabilistic capacities of the technologies in the system and the basic life-support element amounts that are needed to support crew life and activities for the duration of a given mission are determined using the proposed framework. The methodology is demonstrated using four different technology levels for a mission scenario at which a crew of six spends 600 days on the Martian surface. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.