ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE INFRASTRUCTURES FOR LUNAR AND MARS EXPLORATION

This paper presents the first published documentation of an on-going study sponsored by General Dynamics to examine alternative infrastructures for Lunar and Mars exploration. This study was initiated immediately after the 20 July 1989 announcement by President Bush that the United States would undertake manned missions to the Moon and Mars, an enterprise currently referred to as the "Space Exploration Initiative" (SEI). The first step taken during this study was to identify four alternative SEI options: (1) Lowest Cost, (2) Least Risk, (3) Greatest Science and Technology Benefits, and (4) Maximum Human Presence in Space. For each option, Lunar and Mars surface elements and space transportation elements were identified which were consistent with the option's underlying philosophy. These four SEI cases were then compared on the basis of such data as transportation element flight rates, element mass and cost estimates, program schedules, and funding profiles. Finally, a recommended SEI strategy was synthesized, based on the attributes found to be most desirable within these four options. Features of this recommended SEI scenario include early missions to the Moon and Mars, achievement of frequent milestones to sustain public interest, and provisions for international cooperation in meeting SEI objectives.