Schafer Corporation's Systems Engineering and Integration Division was awarded a Concept Exploration and Refinement (CE&R) contract by NASA. President Bush set forth his “Vision for Space Exploration” plan that included returning man to the moon and potential manned missions to Mars. The CE&R program is the initial study phase for investigating the implementation of this plan.
Schafer supports NASA's Vision for Space Exploration by implementing a sustained and affordable human and robotic program; extending human presence across the solar system and beyond; and developing supporting innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures. Schafer is developing and refining concepts for Human Lunar Exploration and is investigating Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) design drivers, launch considerations, launch vehicle integration, and risk.
The program is divided into two areas. In Concept Area 1, Schafer is performing trade studies and analysis for developing the overall architecture of returning to the moon and beyond. The primary goal of Area 1 is to use a systems-of-systems approach to develop a technical solution that meets the scientific, economic, and security objectives of lunar exploration. This includes identifying and conducting system level trades between cost and performance as well as identifying system and subsystem level components that are common or extensible to Mars.
Concept Area 2 of the initial study explores various designs, features, and configurations of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). The goals of Area 2 include completing the initial allocation of functionality to the CEV, providing a CEV concept which includes mold lines and subsystems, and to provide a draft CEV development plan that supports meeting human orbital flight by 2014.
