Space Station Operations and Logistics

The 10-year duration of the proposed Space Station Program presents a new challenge to logistics in that unlike previous space programs whose logistics support function were essentially completed at liftoff, the Space Station's logistics support will just be beginning. A Logistics Support Element will have the key role of: planning, delivery, and return of Space Station crew and supplies; performing this function in conjunction with inventory control and configuration management; and coordination/integration of new hardware and experiment end items. Total Space Station operations and logistics support, including the interface to the Space Shuttle which provides the logistics vehicle function, are discussed.