aurora exploration programmerobotics.estec.esa.int/astra/astra2002/papers/astra2002_1.1-2.pdf ·...

ASTRA, 19-21 November 2002

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Aurora Exploration Programme

B.Gardini, F.Ongaro, D.Vennemann – ESA/ESTEC

The Robotic Exploration Missions of the Aurora Programme

7th ASTRA Workshop, ESTEC 19-21 November 2002

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List of Contents

• Introduction • Objectives of the Aurora Programme• Aurora Programme outline• Aurora Preparatory Period• Exploration Scenario• European Human/Robotic Exploration Scenario• Near term Planning• Near Term Missions Scenario• Aurora candidate missions

– Exobiology Mission (ExoMars)– Mars Sample Return Mission (MSR)– In Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) Mission– Lunar Mission– Advanced MSR– Arrow Missions

• Aurora Mission Scenario• Conclusions.

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Introduction

• In the coming decades the scientific and human exploration of the solar system is expected to progress further beyond the low Earth orbits. An international human mission to Mars may become a reality by the years 2020 – 2030.

• To decide in which areas of expertise Europe wants to have a lead in the future requires a detailed analysis of the European Technology strengths and an assessment of its strategic value.

• The Aurora Programme, approved at the Ministerial Conference in Edinburgh in November 2001, is the response of Europe to these challenging tasks.

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Objectives of the Aurora Programme (1)

• Continue the European effort after Mars Express and Beagle 2 towards a more systematic planetary exploration programme, focused on Mars, Moon and Asteroids,

• Formulate and then implement a European Long Term Plan for the robotic and human exploration of the Solar System bodies holdingpromises for traces of life. Promote the development of a coherent and unified European approach for Exploration,

• Foster the development of European technology and build up the basic know-how upon which future international cooperation can be decided on a more equitable basis.

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Objectives of the Aurora Programme (2)

• Provide for missions and technologies which are complementary tothe existing ESA and national programmes in Europe and Canada and federate the efforts in the field of exploration,

• Establish a programme of cooperation with Technical Universitiesand promote active student involvement in Workshops and advance research,

• The Aurora Programme can be seen as a road map for human exploration, technology development and a genuine programme for innovation.

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Aurora Programme outline (1)

• Aurora is an Optional Programme of the Envelope type. In the ESAapproach this allows for a consistent set of spacecraft missions and technology developments to be planned over a long period of time.

• Funding is released to cover 5 years periods of the programme at the time, which allows for continuity of activities, re-planning when necessary, and overall optimal usage of resources.

• The programme has two components: a Definition one, to support planning, feasibility studies, scientific and outreach activities; and a Development one, for the implementation of missions and technology development.

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Aurora Programme outline (2)

The Aurora Programme was subscribed in Nov. 2001 at Edinburgh by:A,B,CAN,CH,F,I,NL,P,E and UK for a total of 14.1 MEU.

g

Approval 2nd Period

Programme Review

Approval 3rd Period

Programme Review

2002 2005 2010

Development Component

Definition Component Definition Component

Dev.Comp.

Def.Comp.

À la carte missions

Commitment

Preparatory Period

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Aurora Preparatory Period

• During the first 3-years period, work concentrates on the elaboration of a Long Term Plan for exploration activities and on mission and technology studies.

• Two classes of missions are foreseen:– Flagship Missions, defined as major missions driving to in-situ

analysis soft landing or sample return from other planetary bodies and eventually a human precursor mission,

– Arrow Missions, defined as smaller missions, with a short development time, technology driven, mostly in support of the Flagships.

• By mid 2004 a new Programme Proposal will be presented to the ESA Council to finance the activities of the next 5 years of the Programme.

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Exploration Scenario

• The Aurora exploration scenario, defined with a view focused on the long term goal of Human Exploration, identifies the main steps of exploration and tentative dates:

– Human mission to Mars (2025-2030)– Robotic outpost, possibly human mission to the Moon (2020 -

2025)– Decision to go ahead with a human mission (2015)– Mars Sample Return (MSR) and Advanced MSR (2011-2017)

• The Mars Sample Return Mission (MSR) is the first robotic mission to include all the basic functions required by a human flight. The successful completion of one or two MSR missions of increased complexity is a prerequisite for the decision to go ahead.

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2030 2028 2026 2024 2022 2020

WayStation

for MarsMission(s)

WayStation

for MarsMission(s)

HumanLandingMission

HumanLandingMission

2013 2011 2009 20072016

Green-house

Green-house

LunarLander /

ISRUDemo

LunarLander /

ISRUDemoM

oo

nMars

EarthRe-entry

Demo

EarthRe-entry

Demo

MarsAero-

captureDemo

MarsAero-

captureDemo

MarsMicro-Mission(SEP)

MarsMicro-Mission(SEP)T

ech

Demos

InfrastructureFinalisation /

Decision Pointfor HMM 2028

InfrastructureFinalisation /

Decision Pointfor HMM 2028

ISRUISRU PowerPlant

PowerPlant

Human Lan-ding Mission

Human Lan-ding Mission

TEM3TEM3

MEM2MEM2

Human Orbi-ting Mission

Human Orbi-ting Mission

TEM2TEM2

MEM1MEM1

HMMSystem

Validation

HMMSystem

Validation

Greenhouse /ECLSS

Greenhouse /ECLSS

Habitat /LaboratoryHabitat /

LaboratoryUtilityTruck

UtilityTruck

ComplexMars

SampleReturn

ComplexMars

SampleReturn

ISRUDemoISRUDemo

MarsSampleReturn

MarsSampleReturn

MarsExobio-

logyMission

MarsExobio-

logyMission

HumanOutpost /

TestFacility

HumanOutpost /

TestFacility

HLMSystemVali-

dation

HLMSystemVali-

dation

TEM1TEM1

PowerPlant

PowerPlantISRUISRU

Studies / Experiments onISS, Concordia, etc.

PermanentHuman Outpost –

next Step:Asteroids?

European Human/RoboticEuropean Human/RoboticExploration ScenarioExploration Scenario

2018

NavComNetworkNavComNetwork

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Near Term Planning

• The decision point in 2015 is only two “5 years Aurora periods” away. Within this time frame the feasibility of a human mission will have to be demonstrated.

• The main elements of this process are a comprehensive technologyprogramme, which has also to take into account human factors and a sequence of robotic missions, each mission progressively increasing the confidence towards a man rated mission to Mars.

• In cooperation with the Aurora Exploration Programme Advisory Committee (EPAC) the Agency has prepared a tentative missions scenario covering the next two periods of the programme.

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Near Term Mission Scenario

• For the near term planning a look ahead view covering the next 10 to 15 years is required to ensure consistency of mission planning and technology development.

• The technology development should be spread over several missions to reduce the overall program risk and ensure an effective use of resources.

• The phasing of the missions must minimize the overlap between two consecutive missions, as far as allowed by the 26 months cycle of the Mars launch opportunities. This allows time for re-planning when needed and minimize the overall risk to the program.

• The overall mission scenario should favour the development of European technologies, at least as far as allowed by the limits of conventional power sources (unless a decision to proceed with the development of nuclear power sources is taken soon).

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Aurora candidate missions

A number of potential Aurora Robotic Missions have been considered, derived from the Call for Ideas (April 2001 ) and past studies. Following the recent discussions in the EPAC and internal assessments the following candidates have been retained:

•Flagship Missions:– Exobiology Mission (ExoMars)– Mars Sample Return Mission (MSR)– ISRU Mars Mission– Moon Landing Mission– Advanced Mars Sample Return Mission

•Arrow Missions (mostly technology missions in support of the Flagship Missions):– Earth Re-entry vehicle/capsule – Mars Aerocapture Demonstrator– Mars Micromission (Miniaturized Electronics, Solar Electric Propulsion) – Cooperation with national or international missions (to be explored)

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Exobiology Mission (1)

In the logic of exploration and the search for life an Exobiology mission (ExoMars) is thenecessary precursor to a Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission. ExoMars will characterize the Mars biological environment before landing other spacecrafts or Humans. The main characteristics of the mission envisaged at the present stage are:

• A Mars Orbiter to deliver a Descent Module from a Martian orbit. Thereafter it will operate as a data relay satellite, initially for the ExoMars Rover and later possibly for future missions.

• The Descent Module will deliver a Rover to a specified location using an Inflatable Braking Device (IBD) or a Parachute system. These landing systems have been chosen because of they are inherently robust. The achievable landing accuracy is modest, but sufficient for the mission. The latitude of the landing site is expected to be less than 45 deg N/S.

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Exobiology Mission (2)

• The Rover will ensure a regional mobility (few km) as required by the Exobiology Payload. The Payload (Pasteur) of about 40 kg includes a drilling system and a Sampling and Handling Device integrated with the package of scientific instruments

• The proposed mission design would add to the Exploration Program the element of surface mobility, albeit within the limits of a Rover powered by conventional Solar Arrays.

• The Rover navigation system, including optical sensors, on board software and autonomous operation capability is a significant technological challenge where Europe can bring to fruition years of technology development at ESA and national level.

• Enabling technologies: surface mobility (Rover), Landing system, Exobiology Instrumentation and the Drilling and Sample Handling system.

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Mars Sample Return (1)

Within the Aurora program an early (2011) Mars Sample Return Mission (MSR) hasbeen considered. This is a very challenging mission due to the complexity of the missionitself and the short development time. The main characteristics of the mission envisaged\at present are:

• A composite vehicle to carry into a Mars orbit both a Descent Module and an Earth Re-entry vehicle.Whether this can be achieved with a single AR5 (enhanced) launch need to be assessed, alternatively a different configuration will be considered, compatible with a double launch.

• The Descent Module will carry to the surface of Mars a landing platform equipped with a sample collecting device and a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). The landing system proposed is based on an Inflatable Braking Device (IBD). A limited landing accuracy is expected to be sufficient for a mission bringing back the first sample ever of Martian soil.

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• The MAV vehicle will bring a small canister containing the sample into a low altitude circular Mars orbit (e.g. 150 Km) for a Rendez–Vouz with the Earth Re-entry vehicle. This will deliver the Re-entry capsule containing the sample on a ballistic trajectory into the Earth atmosphere. A parachute (or inflatable device) landing system will ensure a safe landing.

• Enabling technologies: a Mars Sample Return mission requires a number of enabling technologies, which are not yet (or not fully) available in Europe. This concerns mainly the landing system on Mars, the Mars Ascent Vehicle, the RVD system in Mars orbit and the Earth Re-entry vehicle/ capsule.

• All the above technologies can be tested in principle in an Earth environment. The final qualification of the RVD system, however, is preferably done in a Mars orbit. For the other technologies ground based activities need to be combined with a suitable sequence of technology driven Arrow Missions.

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While the mission development, operation and success are a milestone in the technologyroadmap toward a human mission, some scientific requirements will influence its development:

• Landing site selection: The selection of a suitable/preferred landing site may remain open for a long time. This has to be taken into account in the spacecraft design to ensure robustness of the mission.

• Sample size: A sample in the order of 500 grams is considered, in line with the recommendations of the International Mars Exploration Working Group (IMEWG).

• Sample collection: Collecting samples of Martian soil may require a miniaturized drill.

• Sample conditioning: environmental parameters of the sample during re-entry and planetary protection issues will also influence mission design.

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ISRU Mission

In the flow of technology development for Exploration the ISRU mission will:

• Provide the first opportunity to test In Situ Resource Utilization facilities, e.g. fuel production which would greatly increase the efficiency of a Sample Return or a Human mission.

• Qualify some of the missing steps in technology: specifically the Soft Landing technique with the two main aspects of propulsion control and obstacle avoidance during landing. The mission is expected to utilize Aerocapture, provided a validation of the technique has been achieved by an earlier Arrow Mission (Mars Aerocapture Demonstrator).

• The ISRU mission will consolidate further the way towards Mars missions which are a closer representation of human missions. A more detailed definition of the mission, however, can only be given when the results of previous missions and further information on the local environment will be available, e.g. whether water is easily available or not.

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Lunar Mission

• The Lunar Flagship Mission will demonstrate precision landing technologies for heavy payloads at lower cost and risk to the programme than a Mars demonstration mission.

• The mission offers possibilities for ISRU tests on the Moon and an opportunity for science follow - on to the SMART1 mission.

• Its flexible launch window constraints allow it to fit anywhere along the early phase of the Programme, as long as flown before 2015.

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Advanced MSR

For an advanced MSR mission combinations of additional technologies/functions areconsidered with a view to the needs and constraints of a future human mission:

• Aerocapture / Aerobraking : will increase the efficiency of the mission, but it is rather critical, implies a higher risk and has a significant impact on the spacecraft design. The mission should provide final conclusions on the trade off risks/benefits of this technology for future Mars missions.

• Solar Electric Propulsion : an advanced SEP will equally increase the efficiency of the mission, but the mission duration may be excessively long. The technology, however, is of particular interest for long term applications, e.g. for a large cargo ship to Mars.

• Soft (i.e. controlled) and precision landing : this is a mandatory step in the progress of exploration and will have to be mastered in due time. To qualify this (and other) technology a Lunar mission may be of distinctive advantage and cost effective.

• In Situ Propellant Production: a powerful mission enabler for robotic and human exploration missions which has to be validated with great care.

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Arrow Missions

• Earth re-entry vehicle/capsule: the envisaged mission will use a small spacecraft in a highly elliptic orbit. The vehicle will be propelled towards the Earth under conditions similar to an interplanetary return capsule. The mission is a necessary step for the first Mars Sample Return Mission.

• Mars Aerocapture demonstrator: small mission to Mars with the goal to validate the technology before it is applied to a Flagship mission, specifically for the ISRU and the Advanced MSR Missions.

• Mars Micromission: based on highly integrated / miniaturized on board electronics possibly combined with a demonstration of an advanced electric propulsion system.

• Cooperation opportunities: in line with the mandate of the Aurora program to foster cooperation with on-going national or international programs the possibility of participation in specific exploration projects is envisaged.

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2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Phase B/C/DMars Exobiology

Mars Sample Return

In-Situ Resource Utilization

Earth Re-entry

Mars Aerocapture

PREMIER Mission

Phase B/C/D

Phase B/C/D

Phase B/C/D

Phase B/C/D

Aurora Mission Scenario

(Exobiology,Rover,Navigation,Inflatable)

(Inflatable,MAV,RVD,Re-entry)

(Rendez-Vous and Docking)

(Aerocapture ,Soft Landing,Fuel )

(Earth Demo for Re-Entry Vehicle/Capsule)

(Mars Aerocapture Demonstrator )

(Soft/Precision Landing, Adv. ISRU)

Phase A(Cont.d)

Mars Micromission

Phase B/C/D

Advanced Mars Sample Return Mission Phase B/C/DPhase A

Phase A

Phase A

Phase A

Lunar Mission Phase B/C/DPhase A

(Solar Electric Propulsion, Microelectronics)

Cooperation Opportunities

2014 20152003

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Conclusions

• A Mission Scenario consistent with the Aurora long term goal of exploration has been established as a working baseline.

• A detailed analysis of the mission enabling technologies is in progress and a number of mission specific technology studies is being defined for implementation in the present phase of the Aurora Programme.

• The feasibility of the overall scenario needs to be confirmed by further studies (Pre-Phase A and Phase A). At the October 7th meeting the Aurora Board of Participants (ABP) has given the approval for industrial studies, to be placed in early 2003, concerning the first two Flagship and two Arrow missions.

• The final scenario will have to take into account the results of the technical work as well as political decisions concerning funding and possible changes in European and international programmes.

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