09-12-2009, 06:42 PM
Implications of Molecular Nanotechnology Technical Performance Parameters on
Previously Defined Space System Architecture
Abstract
Preliminary indications are that molecular nanotechnology will greatly increase capabilities for space operations but published implications are not worked out in sufficient detail to develop wise plans for the transition to molecular nanotechnology based space operations.
One difficulty in examining architectures for space operations that exploit molecular nanotechnology is that the performance of architecture has meaning only in the context of an operation concept and grand strategy, which in turn depend upon the competitive environment. Any technology as dramatic as molecular nanotechnology, however, is likely to alter the structure of that environment so much as to require dramatic changes in operation concepts and grand strategies.
On approach is to iterate between the various levels of technical capability, systems architecture, operation concepts, and grand strategy. This would be a substantial effort over years.
There currently is a wealth of technical descriptions for space system architectures which do not rely on molecular nanotechnology performance parameters. The next step in the iterative process towards understanding the general implications of molecular nanotechnology for space operations is to take these descriptions, and assess their capabilities when using the performance parameters of molecular nanotechnology. This paper will present a survey of space system architectures, assessing how their performance would increase if they exploited the estimated capabilities of molecular nanotechnology. It will include some thoughts on the implications for grand strategies and operational concepts for space activities, and on the implications for issues in molecular nanotechnology that have particular leverage on space applications.
This paper develops early explorations of the capabilities MNT will provide in the area of space operations. It is an example of theoretical applied science, examining what sorts of applied capabilities are and are not feasible within our current understanding of physical law. The best example of theoretical applied science in the area of molecular nanotechnology is, which developed estimated technical performance parameters for molecular nanotechnology (table 1). This paper takes those parameters, and applies them to models of previously defined space system architectures. It also discusses a methodology for extending, deepening and refining out understanding of the actual capabilities molecular nanotechnology will provide, applicable to many fields.
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