The Advanced Study Group as Source for Following Up CE-Studies

Kurzfassung

The Advanced Study Group (ASG) is a newly created ‘Think Tank’ within the German Aerospace Center (DLR) – Institute of Space Systems, which similar to ESA’s Advanced Concept Team (ACT) or the Team X (JPL, NASA) encompasses the creation, evaluation and development of advanced and visionary space technology concepts. The ASG is intended to be a driver for future developments on mission, systems and technology level for the German and European Space sector. Inventing breakthrough concepts by means of out-of-the-box-thinking and looking for disruptive technologies (Game Changing Technologies) for launchers, exploration and human spaceflight as well as strategy development (roadmaps) are the main working fields of the ASG. By the ASG study approach rapid analysis, efficient task sharing and thinking ahead is requested from the study team. In terms of project phases the ASG’s outcomes can be seen as Pre-Phase 0, but some studies build an excellent basis for further studies conducted in the DLR’s Concurrent Engineering Facility (CEF), with a bigger team of experts reaching Phase 0/A level. Two out of currently four completed ASG studies already have been further developed in a Concurrent Engineering (CE) study (Post-ISS Scenarios, Greenhouse). Utilizing the poster it is explained and visualized, how the preparation of background information and team member education with a broader field of view helps very much for following up CE studies. The two examples are described, firstly based on various post-ISS scenarios and then deepened with one crewed Asteroid mission scenario in the CERMIT (Crewed European Exploration Mission Trail) CE study. Secondly the other one focused on Greenhouse development followed up by a Vertical Farming CE study.