SAC 25.31 ISRU Task (SAC-ISRU 25)

​The Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate's (ESDMD) Strategic Analysis Cycle (SAC) 25.31 In-situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Task successfully established​ a model-based framework against which locally derived resources can be assessed for value into the Artemis architecture. A single commodity development path was explored to establish the mechanisms for determining the value of the commodity/product (potable lunar water) quality and quantity.The ITA successfully established a flexible value assessment model-based engineering framework that integrates system models developed using Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) methodologies with high-fidelity physics-based systems models. The physics-based subsystem models developed in FY24 under the System Engineering and Integration (SE&I) ISRU Modelling & Analysis (SIMA) project was evolved with new test data and the Ground Rules, Assumptions, and Constraints (GRACs) was traced to each subsystem. The output of this framework was used by the Strategy and Architecture Office (SAO) Value Model to evaluate competing ISRU architectures involving ISRU developed commodities vs. transported from earth and delivered to the lunar surface. The output deliverables from the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) framework (delivered to SAO value model) included the following:- System Mass / Volume:Itemized list of mass/volume for subsystem required to hit production target & commodity gradeMaintenance assumptions per subsystemFlow diagrams of any/all repairable components/subsystemsMEL for all associated subsystems support costing, risk, and mass demands for SAO analysis- System Power Demand & Related Power Mass:Includes demand per subsystem Assumed availability (constant, periodic, etc.)A Survive the Night power estimation was provide for the lunar night to scale batteries- Total Production Rate (per subsystem):Kg/day of product and wasteTime allocation reported as best fit for systemA “best fit" system was provided to ESDMD, along with system mass estimates when varying critical inputs while maintaining production demands- Cost Assumptions:Cost ground rules and assumptions and heritageOperation (# consol operators based on instrumentation and data requirements)- Technology Development Needs:Development time, subsystem risk, required testing to close shortfalls (if available)- Sensitivity Studies:Included a range of critical variable input assumptions and analyzed the effect on system mass.Demonstrated importance of site selection for power generation (due to the effects of solar illumination and the power distribution cable length) as well as the importance of water concentration inside the PSR.

This ITA is first occurrence of STMD collaborating with ESDMD on an ISRU architectural trade study. Early understanding of the GRACs associated with the Artemis architecture will enable optimized ISRU systems to be developed based on the desired commodities and their associated production targets. The MBSE framework developed lays the framework for standardizing system model communication between the directorates to enable rapid system analysis for future trade studies and both identify & help to prioritize hardware investments vital to success. Adopting MBSE methodologies early in the system development lifecycle will help identify requirements relationships between subsystems and foster healthy communication during the design and testing phase. Designing to the system requirements, opposed to integrating subsystems designed separately, will reduce cascading scope creep and has the potential to reduce development cost and maintain schedule. This model can be used during operations to quickly identify all affected subsystems for a requirements change, and the physics-based model can predict the effects on production. Moreover, continuing to add to the portfolio of existing high-fidelity physics-based system models will help to close both ISRU and related Moon to Mars (M2M) shortfalls. This includes shortfalls ranked by industry as critical, such as surviving the lunar night (by integrating a power architecture with ISRU system model) and/or multiple related shortfalls associated with extraction and separation of resources as well as propellant and consumable production. This system level analysis helped to define requirements (via sensitivity studies) and establish interface conditions between subsystems beneficial for academia, industry, or government designers.

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