Space module on-board stowage optimization by exploiting empty container volumes

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 mixedinteger 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.