While working on this project I was able to identify a supply chain strategy list that could be used for an outer space supply chain system. Furthermore, on this project, I developed a chart that analyzed the list to show which supply chain strategy would be most effective in the outer space environment.
When I was working on my STEP Signature Project, I used all the materials that I learned from all my logistics classes and was able to apply them to this real-world problem. Looking back on this project, I learned that developing an outer space supply chain system is a tricky task to accomplish. For example, a normal supply chain system is more in the realm of a 2D network while an outer space supply chain network sits in the realm of a 3D network. The reason why it falls under a 3D network is due to the degree of inclination of the orbit around the earth. It was tricky to figure out and the reason why it was tricky is that this concept has not been looked at since the Mid-2000s and little research has been done on developing a supply chain network from the Moon to the Earth. There has been some research on developing a supply chain system between the Earth and Mars. However, with a range that wide and many points of delay, it would make more sense to develop an Earth and Moon supply chain system to reduce some of the delays an Earth and Mars supply chain would have. Also, building a small supply chain first would allow people to test out different supply chain models on a smaller scale compared to doing a massive network. So from my research, I hope people realize that taking things slow and steady as well as making them efficient will make space travel more sustainable in the future.
One of the key relationships in which I developed was my relationship with my transportation professor. My transportation instructor’s name is Jim Hendrickson. Professor Hendrickson provided me with some guidelines along the way as I was working on my research project. He also had some experience in the aerospace industry so his knowledge helped me understand some of the factors involved with this research. We talked about the different possibilities on how to use today’s supply chain tools and ways to try to apply them to a space application. For example, one of the tools that will be needed for a space supply chain system would be a warehouse management system. The function of the warehouse management system would allow you to track inventory levels as the lunar outpost or other outposts. Knowing these inventory levels can allow aerospace companies to time their launches just right so they can supply the outpost within a reasonable amount of time. Our conversation got me thinking that there are a lot of moving parts to make a supply chain possible and taking what we have currently and trying to use that for outer space is a good start. If the current technology does not work that is the point where research and development would start.
During this research project, I attended a few webinars. One of the most memorable webinars was a NASA supply chain webinar. This webinar looked at the current business model NASA uses for space operations. Their business models are online with mission contracts and where companies bid for these contracts. Within some of these contracts, they factor in small companies so they can get a piece of the pie. NASA is thinking about changing this business model and their reasoning is that it would be more sustainable in keeping people interested in space if they did not only do mission contracts. Some of their ideas were to start to develop space tourism which would allow the average person to go into space. This is a good idea but at this point in time, most of these flights would be too expensive for the average person. But as time goes on, this will start to happen. One of the biggest takes from this webinar is that NASA wants more of the private sector to get involved in space exploration. If more companies from the private sector join in the new space age it would increase the world economy and lead to more innovation. Overall it was a good experience and I learned how the aerospace industry is evolving. With this in mind, it could be a great time to get into the aerospace industry with all of this innovation going on.
Another presentation that I attended looked at the NASA Artemis Program with its goal of returning to the moon. This presentation emphasized how sustainability would be an essential part of this program and without sustainability, it would be expensive to send humans to the moon. This presentation got me thinking about what it would take to develop a supply chain system that would reinforce NASA missions for the Artemis Program. When watching the presentation, not too much was talked about regarding the use of a supply chain system or what approach would be used for this project. This got me thinking and taking what I learned in logistics as well as my supply chain classes and applied it to this. When going through the information, there are some functions that would not need remodeling. For example, the warehouse management and inventory management system would not have to change for the Artemis Program. But one system that would have to change is the transportation system. At this point in time, there are not a good amount of space vehicles designed for a supply chain system. So it will take some time before some of this technology is created. This presentation showed that the aerospace industry is growing at a fast pace and will need loads of different majors to make this project successful.
From this experience, it has opened new avenues for me. The research that I have been working on could be used to help jump-start supply chain software that could analyze these models in a more effective manner. The reason why this is important is that one day the world will be able to set up a Lunar outpost and the Earth will be able to supply it. Having a sustainable supply chain network will reduce some of the cost of launching supplies to the outpost. At this point in our lives, the aerospace industry is growing at a large rate and we will see more missions to outer space with humans abroad as well as exploring other parts of the solar system. This research paper has the capability to spark people’s interests by looking at the outer space supply chain system. If I have a chance to present this paper at a conference then it increases my chance of getting a job within the aerospace industry. Even if I am not able to present the document it should give people a general idea of what needs to be added to a supply chain system and make sure that the supply chain system is efficient.
The picture above maps out the different shipping lanes that NASA could use during the Artemis Program in 2024. This picture has helped me develop different supply chain strategies that could be used for the Artemis Program.