Achieving Mastery of Space Operations by Transforming Space Logistics

Logistics Spectrum, Jan-Mar 2005 by Snead, James Michael

We have a logistics problem coming up in space, however, that will challenge the thinking of the most visionary logistics engineer. As you know we are currently investigating three regions of space; that near-Earth, the lunar region and the planets. ... While it is safe to say that all of us have undoubtedly been aware of many or most of the logistics requirements and problems under discussion, at least in a general way, I think it is also safe to state that many of us have not realized the enormous scope of the tasks performed in the logistics area. I hope the discussions bring about a better understanding of the fact that logistics support is a major portion of most large development projects. Logistics support, in fact, is a major cause of the success or failure of many undertakings.

Opening the space frontier requires mastery of operations in space. This mastery can be achieved by establishing an integrated space logistics infrastructure in low Earth orbit, extending this first throughout the Earth-Moon system and, then, on to Mars. The importance of creating these new logistics capabilities is apparent today, just as it was in the 1950s and 1960s. A growing partnership between SOLE and the AIAA can help to provide an improved public understanding of how these needs can be met with safe, operationally effective and affordable near term solutions.

End Notes

1. Final Report of the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization, pp.21.

2. Launius, Roger D., Kennedy's Space Policy Reconsidered: A Post-Cold War Perspective, Air Power History, December 2003, p. 22.

3. Launius, Roger D., Kennedy's Space Policy Reconsidered: A Post-Cold War Perspective, Air Power History, December 2003, p. 26.

4. Squires, Arthur M., The Tender Ship: Governmental Management of Technological Change, Birkhäuser, 1986, p. 122.

By James Michael Snead, P.E.

Author's Biography

James Michael Snead is the lead for Agile Combat Support in the Aeronautical Systems sector, Plans and Programs Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He has also served as a science and technology engineer at AFRL focusing on futures wargaming and future warfighting concepts. Other positions at Wright-Patterson include lead structures engineer, Aeronautical Systems Center; chief flight-systems engineer/lead structures engineer, National Aerospace Plane Joint Program Office; and project engineer, Transatmospheric Vehicle Project Office. Mr. Snead earned his bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Cincinnati and his master's degree in aerospace engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Currently, Mr. Snead is chairman of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Space Logistics Technical Committee.