Decision Matrix Considerations at NASA
Determining the components for rovers, spacecraft, lunar colonies and ISS is no easy task in the race for space. Also, it’s hard to entrust one’s life to components built by the highest bidder when he knows that such technologies, prototypes, and unique parts will mean life or death for real people; that is, astronauts, research scientists, or even wealthy space travelers whose funds are necessary for the advancement of the human race. Fortunately, there are many brilliant people working on scripts and AI programs to help with the decision matrix to evaluate our best options for security, efficiency, and usability. Some of these programs are written in;
http://www.mathworks.com/applications/controldesign/mbd_ad.html?fp
One person who stands out as a promising scientist in this field is Richard Campanha, whose script, along with some internal testing on the project by Dr. Christie Iacomini,
[http://www.ame.arizona.edu/faculty/iacomini/iacomini.php]
The part with Paragon was what ultimately helped the script become useful in developing a decision matrix script to evaluate manufacturing processes for components to perform a certain task on the lunar base station. By developing a simple script capable of comparing more than 5 different types of autonomous fuel/life support producing factories, which were previously uncomparable. This method became widespread and made it possible to compare and contrast any future ISRU plant.
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/mars/marssurf.html
By determining the best system, the United States can realize its dreams of a lunar and martian colony. By putting a self-generating and rocket fuel factory on the Moon in a Lunar Colony, we can advance humanity’s exploration of the Solar System and have a refueling station. This will allow us a way to get more equipment, weight, supplies, and people out of our atmosphere without the fuel expenses necessary to carry more fuel for the actual journey.
For humanity and the United States of America to realize our dreams and successfully complete our Roadmap to the Moon, Mars and beyond, it will take the best and brightest among us and the inner strength in all of us. Fortunately we have the brilliant minds we will need to make this dream come true. Think about it.