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Space Module On-Board Stowage Optimization by Exploiting Empty Container Volumes

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Modeling and Optimization in Space Engineering

Part of the book series: Springer Optimization and Its Applications ((SOIA,volume 73))

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Abstract

This chapter discusses a research activity recently carried out by Thales Alenia Space, to support International Space Station (ISS) logistics. We investigate the issue of adding a number of virtual items (i.e. items not given a priori) inside partially loaded containers, in order to exploit the volume still available on board as much as possible. Items already accommodated are supposed to be tetris-like, while the additional virtual items are assumed to be parallelepipeds. A mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) model is introduced first, then possible linear (MILP) approximations are discussed, and a corresponding heuristic solution approach is proposed. Guidelines for future research are highlighted, and experimental insights are provided to show the efficiency of the proposed approach.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A., Str. Antica di Collegno 253, 10146, Turin, Italy

    Giorgio Fasano

  2. Altran Italia S.p.A., Turin, Italy

    Maria Chiara Vola

Authors
  1. Giorgio Fasano
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  2. Maria Chiara Vola
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giorgio Fasano .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Thales Alenia Space SpA, Str. Antica di Collegno 253, Turin, 10146, Italy

    Giorgio Fasano

  2. Stoneybrook Court 114, Halifax, B3M 3J7, Nova Scotia, Canada

    János D. Pintér

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Fasano, G., Vola, M.C. (2012). Space Module On-Board Stowage Optimization by Exploiting Empty Container Volumes. In: Fasano, G., Pintér, J. (eds) Modeling and Optimization in Space Engineering. Springer Optimization and Its Applications, vol 73. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4469-5_11

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