An Alternate Approach towards Achieving the New Vision for Space Exploration
Before us is a watershed opportunity to increase the depth of space exploration and development. The Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) provides a vital first step towards this important long term goal.
Based on the key objectives contained in the ESAS, an alternate space exploration architecture was formulated by the author that reduces complexity, time, risk and cost while simultaneously improving Lunar and Mars mission, affordability, safety and expandability.
This was achieved by re-sequencing mission objectives, spacecraft elements and launch vehicle requirements reducing the development bottlenecks in NASA’s current Vision for Space Exploration (VSE) plan.
This re-sequencing was performed by a powerful new analysis process that enables the evaluation of trillions of scenarios.