Table of Contents
Management Team
Management Overview
The primary focus for the management discipline has been the acquisition of the ISS, identifying and mitigating potential risks, and outlining alternative methods if the group were unable to purchase the ISS. The intent is to lease the ISS in the same way that Mircorp leased Mir towards the end of its life. The cost was approximately $285 million dollars a year in 2016 dollars and current maintenance costs run between $1.25 and $3 billion a year. The plan is to keep some of the international partners involved that either cover or help with the maintenance costs in exchange for fuel for their spacecrafts. As can be seen below if that fails then the next step is to integrate Bigelow inflatable modules to create or augment the station or to go with a Chinese station to complete the proof of concept for this mission. There are risks to keeping the ISS going, especially wit its increased age. The assumption is that part of the lease deal is that critical parts will be refurbished before command is changed. However, even with those changes there are some risks which cannot be removed and those are outlined below with their various condition states and the response for each of those conditions. Note that the heat pump, which has previously failed, can also serve as an example of any mission critical hardware that requires and EVA to repair.
Alternative Approaches
| Alternative | Costs | Time | Volume | Legal | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigelow Modules Combined with ISS | Purchase costs unchanged. Maintenance costs increased | Increase for new constructions | Restrictions on Arrangement. Could be more than needed | Loss of some intl. partners may increase maintenance. May restrict partnerships | Still can be a long term station. May be restricted by Bigelow |
| Bigelow Modules Only | Lower Costs and Maintenance. Current costs for 330 module have not been announced but presumed lower. | Less time needed for construction. No large scale refurbishment. | Lower Volume. Tech Demo only. | Limited to Bigelow restrictions | Currently max time is 60 days. Larger modules untested. No permanent presence. |
| Purchase from the Chinese | Lower costs. | More time needed for new station. | Low Volume. Tech Demo only. | No US sanctioned help. Could harm other relations with other partners. | This could be impossible due to legal restrictions. Potential long-term negative effects on customers. |
Alternative 1: Combination of ISS Modules with Bigelow Inflatable Modules
Pros:
- A refueling station that can potentially be used after the tech demo is complete.
- Ability to scale up volume as needed.
- Some International Partnership to help cover maintenance costs.
Cons:
- Maintenance costs may go up for the projects since some international partners leave.
- May take more time for construction of new modules.
- ISS may fail before Bigelow modules do if the station is used beyond the tech demo
Alternative 2: Bigelow Module Only
Pros:
- Much lower purchase and operating costs.
- Bigelow handles ground support for the station.
- Little to no maintenance required during mission period.
- All new construction.
Cons:
- Currently Bigelow only offers 60 days of time in their modules.
- Limited to only a tech demo.
- Final costs of Beam 330 module are not publicly disclosed yet.
- May be restricted by Bigelow terms of use.
Alterniative 3: Purchase from the Chinese
Pros:
- New station with little maintenance required.
- Lower costs than purchasing the ISS.
Cons:
- Significant legal hurdles to partnering with China.
- May lose all partners other than China.
- Limited volume leads to limited tech demo.
- May politically harm future efforts to start a permanent presence.
Critical Risks
| Risk | Low Risk | Medium Risk | High Risk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump | Condition | Normal Pressure Normal Temperatures Normal Flow Rates | Change in pressure, temperature or flow rate Repairs necessary but not urgent | Sudden Necessary repairs needed Complete loss of temperature control |
| Response | Continue monitoring | Send a manned crew for EVA ASAP Monitor for change to high risk | Send fuel to spare vehicle tank Send crew to salvage what can be salvaged |
|
| Power Production | Condition | Sufficient power generated Ball bearing and rotating motors of solar panels operating normally | Loss in power but still operational/partially operational Panel motors unable to perform optimally/at all | Total loss of power or minimal power generation Total loss of panel motor control |
| Response | Monitor power generation Monitor panel motor performance | Rotating power use if needed Send repair crews Supplement power with another power system | Keep power to only critical systems Cease refining Replace power system with either new solar panels or new system |
|
| Legal Agreements | Condition | All partners agree to "lease" terms Bigelow agrees to terms of use | Some/all partners refuse to allow the use of their modules | All partners refuse the "lease" Bigelow does not allow use |
| Response | Refurbish the ISS Add Bigelow module as needed | Use alternative 1 or 2 | Use Alternative 3 |