Based on the state of current knowledge of on-orbit vehicle operations and the support equipment required for those operations, it is estimated that 37 kW of electrical power is required at station for the assembly, servicing and refurbishment functions. Of this amount, 22 kW is required for complete power-up of the vehicle stack under test and 15 kW is needed for on-orbit maintenance and test equipment. Prior to initiating the operational phases of the piloted Mars/lunar base missions, space station Freedom will serve a vital role as a permanently manned facility for critical research and development. It is anticipated that a three- to four-year precursor R&D phase will be required to develop critical system technologies and effective countermeasures to the harsh space environment. This period of R&D operations would also provide suitable conditions for microgravity research at station. This research continues until the micro-# missions can no longer be effectively scheduled around the vehicle processing operations (mature transportation node operational phase). Requirements for electrical power and pressurized facilities at SSF in the precursor and operational phases are driven by the Mars mission scenarios. This is due to the need for a continuing zero-#, life science research program at the space station so that humans can endure the journey to Mars, work productivity when they arrive and return to Earth in relatively sound physical condition. Life science activities in support of the lunar initiatives are, for the most part, performed on the surface of the moon; therefore, the station impacts are minimal.
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