Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Helleckson, Brent.
The topics are presented in viewgraph form and include the following: the construction problem with the radiation shielding; preliminary construction analysis; the feasibility analysis of a small lunar tractor-scraper vehicle (LTSV); the scraper preliminary power analysis; LTSV feasibility; a small lunar dragline crane (LDC); a lunar superstructure arch (LSA); and the feasibility analysis of a lunar self-offloading lander crane.
The process of space construction is defined by the construction goal and by the construction system selected to accomplish that goal. The former provides the tasks that must be executed, while the latter provides the capabilities to execute them. This presentation outlines a high-level model of space construction and illustrates the relationship between constructor and task. The construction model is then utilized to develop a preliminary theory of constructor selection. The need for broad models of construction, constructor selection, and constructor management is identified. From this preliminary work it can be concluded that task decomposition is dependent upon both task and constructor; the selection process is separable from the optimization process; and that logical, defensible selection is possible.