Logistics Reduction and Repurposing Beyond Low Earth Orbit

All human space missions, regardless of destination, require significant logistical mass and volume that is strongly proportional to mission duration. Anything that can reduce initial supply mass and volume or reuse launched items will be very valuable. Often, the logistical items require disposal and represent a trash burden. Logistics contributions to total mission architecture mass can be minimized by considering potential reuse using systems engineering analysis. In NASA’s Advanced Exploration Systems “Logistics Reduction and Repurposing Project,” various tasks will reduce the intrinsic mass of logistical packaging, enable reuse and repurposing of logistical packaging for other habitation, life support, crew health, and propulsion functions. Repurposing reduces the trash burden and eliminates the need for hardware whose function can be provided by use of spent logistical items. However, these reuse functions need to be identified and built into future logistical systems to enable them to effectively have a secondary function. These technologies and innovations will help future logistics systems to support exploration missions much more efficiently.