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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
The Current Status
• NASA Strategic Enterprises
• Space Commerce
• Space Defense
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
NASA Strategic Enterprises
• Aerospace Technology
• Biological and Physical Research
• Earth Science
• Human Exploration and Development of Space
• Space Science
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Aerospace Technology
• The mission of this Enterprise is to pioneer the identification, development, verification, transfer, application and commercialization of high-payoff aeronautics and space transportation technologies. The Enterprise is managed by the Office of Aerospace Technology.
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Aerospace Technology Programs
• Revolutionize Aviation– Aviation Safety – Airspace Systems – Vehicle Systems
• Advance Space Transportation– 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle – Space Transfer & Launch Technology
• Pioneer Revolutionary Technology– Computing, Information & Communication Tech. – Engineering for Complex Systems – Enabling Concepts & Technologies
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Biological and Physical Research• The mission of this Enterprise is to conduct basic and applied
research to support human exploration of space and to take advantage of the space environment as a laboratory for scientific, technological, and commercial research.
• NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research (OBPR) creates unique cross-disciplinary research programs, bringing the basic sciences of physics, biology, and chemistry together with a wide range of engineering disciplines.
• The Enterprise asks questions that are basic to our future: – How can human existence expand beyond the home planet to achieve
maximum benefits from space?
– How do fundamental laws of nature shape the evolution of life?
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
OBPR Programs
• Advanced Human Support Technology Program
• Biomedical Research and Countermeasures Program
• Biomolecular Physics and Chemistry Program
• Biotechnology and Earth-based Applications Program
• Fundamental Microgravity Research in the Physical Sciences
• Fundamental Space Biology Program
• Radiation Research Program
• Space Product Development Program
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Earth Science• The mission of this Enterprise, formerly the Mission to
Planet Earth Enterprise, is to use the unique vantage point of space to provide information about Earth's environment that is obtainable in no other way.
• In concert with research and industry partners, the Enterprise is developing the understanding needed to support the complex environmental policy and economic investment decisions that lie ahead.
• The Earth Science Enterprise is managed by the Office of Earth Science.
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Recent Earth Science Missions
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• 2001– GOES-M 7/12– JASON-1 12/7– SAGE-3 12/10
• 2002– NOAA-M 3/6– GRACE 3/17– AQUA 4/26– Vegetat 5/1– SORCE 7/31– Seawind 11/1– ICESat 12/1
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Human Exploration and Development of Space
• The mission of this Enterprise is to open the space frontier by exploring, using and enabling the development of space and to expand the human experience into the far reaches of space.
• The enterprise is managed by the Office of Space Flight whose programs provide – Safe, assured transportation to and from space for people and
payloads– Develop and operate habitable space facilities to enhance
scientific knowledge, support technology development, and enable commercial activity.
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Space Science• The mission of the Space Science Enterprise is:
– To solve mysteries of the universe, – To explore the solar system, discover planets around
other stars– To search for life beyond Earth from origins to
destiny– To chart the evolution of the universe and understand
its galaxies, stars, planets, and life.
• The Space Science Enterprise is managed by the Office of Space Science.
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Space Science Missions in Operation
• ACE Cassini Chandra Cluster FAST FUSE Galileo Genesis Geotail HETE-2 Hubble IMAGE MAP Mars Global Surveyor Mars Odyssey Nozomi Polar RHESSI RXTE SAMPEX SOHO Stardust Starshine SWAS TIMED TRACE Ulysses Voyager Wind XMM Yohkoh
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Search for Origins - 1
• Questions Addressed– How did the first galaxies form?
– How do stars and planetary systems form?
– Are there any planets outside our solar system that are capable of sustaining life?
– How did life originate on Earth?
– Is there life (however primitive or evolved) outside our solar system?
www.nasa.gov
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Search for Origins - 2
• Current Missions– Hubble Space Telescope (HST) which was recently
serviced (and will be again in the future) to add new, more capable cameras.
– Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE)
– Stratospheric Observatory for Far Infrared Astronomy(SOFIA)
– Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF)
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Structure and Evolution of the Universe 1
• Quests– To explain the nature of the Universe and forecast our cosmic
destiny
– To explore the cycles of matter and energy in the evolving Universe
– To explore the ultimate limits of gravity and energy in the Universe
www.nasa.gov
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Structure and Evolution of the Universe 2• Missions
– Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE)– Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA)
• ASCA (formerly named Astro-D) is Japan's fourth cosmic X-ray astronomy mission
– BeppoSAX• The acronym SAX stands for "Satellite per Astronomia X", Italian for "X-
Ray Astronomy Satellite". – Chandra X-ray Observatory (formerly AXAF)
• Chandra was formerly known as AXAF, the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility
– Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO)• CGRO was deorbited on in 2001 due to the failure of gyro #3.
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Structure and Evolution of the Universe 3
• Missions– Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE)
• The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) is a NASA-funded astronomy mission operating in the relatively unexplored extreme ultraviolet (70-760 Å) band
– Halca (formerly VSOP)• The VSOP project will allow imaging of astronomical radio sources with a
significantly improved resolution over ground-only observations
– Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE)• RXTE is designed to look at cosmic X-ray sources at short timescales over a broad
energy range.
– Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS)• SWAS is a NASA Small Explorer Project (SMEX) designed to study the chemical
composition of interstellar gas clouds.
– X-ray Multi-mirror Mission (XMM)• The European Space Agency's X-ray Multi-Mirror satellite will be the most powerful
X-ray telescope ever placed in orbit.
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Exploration of the Solar System 1• Goals
– Understand the nature and history of our Solar System, and what makes Earth similar to and different from its planetary neighbors;
– Understand the origin and evolution of life on Earth; – Understand the external forces, including comet and asteroid impacts,
that affect life and the habitability of Earth; – Identify locales and resources for future human habitation within the
solar system; – Understand how life may originate and persist beyond Earth; and – Make the solar system a part of the human experience in the same
way that Earth is, and hence lay the groundwork for human expansion into the solar system in the coming century.
www.nasa.gov
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Exploration of the Solar System 2• Missions
– Discovery Program• Discovery represents the implementation of NASA's vision of planetary
missions that are "Faster, Better, Cheaper.”
– Mars Exploration Program• NASA and JPL, together with universities, industry, and international
partners, are currently conducting a series of robotic missions to Mars with the goal of understanding that planet's climate and potential for harboring past or present life, and laying the groundwork for future human missions to Mars.
– New Millennium Program• The goal of the New Millennium Program (NMP) is to identify and test
advanced technologies that will provide spacecraft with the capabilities they need in order to achieve NASA's vision. NMP benefits solar system exploration, astronomical missions, and Earth-observing missions.
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
The Sun-Earth Connection - 1
• Quests
– Why Does the Sun Vary?
– How Do the Planets Respond to Solar Variability?
– How Do the Sun and Galaxy Interact?
– How Does Solar Variability Affect Life and Society?
www.nasa.gov
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
The Sun-Earth Connection - 2
• Missions (Solar Observation)– Solar B
• Designed to observe the evolution of the surface magnetic fields on the Sun.
– STEREO• Will investigate the eruption and propagation of those fields from the Sun to the Earth
and the associated changes in the local plasma and particle environment.
• Missions (Perturbation by the solar wind on Geospace.)– Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) and Magnetotail Constellation (MagCon)
• In situ measurements of the outer magnetosphere will be provided by– TIMED and the Geospace Electrodynamic Connections (GEC)
• Measure the response of the ITM region.– Solar Probe
• An Outer Planets Mission, will make the first in situ measurements of the solar atmosphere.
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Earth Science - 1• Atmospheric Chemistry
– What are the causes and impacts of long-term climate variability and can we distinguish natural from human-induced drivers?
• Hydrological and Energy Cycle– How can we provide global observations and scientific
understanding to improve our knowledge of the global water cycle?.
• Land Cover/Land Use– What is best approach to document and understand the trends
and patterns of change in regional land-cover, biodiversity, and global land use?
www.nasa.gov
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Earth Science - 2• Ozone
– How can we best detect changes, causes, and consequences of changes in atmospheric ozone?
• Natural Hazards and Solid Earth– How can we enhance unique ESE remote sensing science and technologies to
contribute to disaster characterization and risk reduction from hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, volcanoes, floods and droughts?
• Climate Variability and Change– 1.Seasonal Inter-annual Variability
– 2.Long-Term Changes
• Other Related Research
www.nasa.gov
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) Enterprise
• The four major goals of the HEDS are the following: – Increase human knowledge of nature's
processes using the space environment – Explore the solar system – Achieve routine space travel– Enrich life on Earth through people living and
working in space www.nasa.gov
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Microgravity Research Division• Goals
– To advance and communicate scientific knowledge and understanding of Earth, the solar
system, the universe, and the environment of space for research – To explore, use, and enable the development of space for human enterprise – To research, develop, verify, and transfer advanced aeronautics, space, and related
technologies
• Program areas– Biotechnology– Combustion Science– Fluid Physics and Transport Phenomena– Fundamental Physics– Materials Science– Mars Robotic Mission
www.nasa.gov
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Office of Aero-Space Technology 1
• Space Access– The X-33 program
• The X-33 was to be the flagship demonstrator for technologies that would dramatically lower the cost of access to space. It was planned to be unpiloted, taking off vertically like a rocket, reaching an altitude of up to 60 miles and speeds between Mach 13 and 15 (13-15 times the speed of sound), and landing horizontally like an airplane. As many as 15 flight tests were planned. Unfortunately the program was canceled by NASA because of cost growth and current technology not being able to meet the X33 specifications.
• Technology Objective: Reduce the payload cost to low-Earth orbit by an order of magnitude, from $10,000 to $1,000 per pound, within 10 years, and by an additional order of magnitude within 25 years.
www.nasa.gov
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Office of Aero-Space Technology 2
• In-Space Transportation– Advanced Space Transportation Program
• Space transportation systems of the future will feature simpler, lighter weight, low-maintenance vehicles that may use alternative energy sources. From laser propulsion to antimatter, the Advanced Space Transportation Program is experimenting with innovative technologies that could transform
science fiction into scientific fact.
• Technology Objective: Reduce the cost of inter-orbital transfer by an order of magnitude within 15 years, and reduce travel time for planetary missions by a factor of two within 15 years, and by an order of magnitude within 25
years.
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Commercial Use of Space
• Space commerce is a rapidly growing segment of the whole Space Exploration scene.
• Space commerce is carried primarily in the following areas:– Communications
– Launch
– Earth Observation
– Navigation
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Space Commerce• The Explosion of Commercial Space
– For nearly 40 years, the government has dominated the space business – Today, that picture is changing, and the rate of change will become even more
dramatic due to a variety of factors• The rapid evolution of information technologies• The allowance of higher imagery resolution for commercial remote sensing• Fundamental changes in the process and cost of satellite manufacturing• The increased reliability of launches• An expanding global demand for satellite services driven by the information
revolution
– Worldwide revenues from space are currently $88 billion annually, projected to grow to $117 billion by 2001
– By 2001 commercial revenues may account for 70 percent of space-industry revenues.
The Explosion of Commercial Space and the Implications for National Security GEN THOMAS S. MOORMAN JR., USAF, RETIRED 1998
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Commerce - Communications - 1• Communications
– Space-based communications is the giant in space commerce• Globally, governments, business, and individuals want to
receive more data faster• Satellites offer an efficient and relatively inexpensive means to
move large amounts of data quickly
– Traditional geosynchronous satellites will continue to play a major role commercially • An average of 33 launches annually to geosynchronous orbit
over the next decade is predicted.
The Explosion of Commercial Space and the Implications for National Security GEN THOMAS S. MOORMAN JR., USAF, RETIRED 1998
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Commerce - Communicatons - 2– LEO, MEO constellations are proliferating in two general areas:
• Service the worldwide, two-way, broadband multimedia need– May use very large or fairly small constellations– E.g. Teledesic (288), Wideband Euro Sat Telecom (10), Skybridge (64), and Orblink
(7). • Service worldwide personal-communications service
– US owned large constellations» Iridium, Globalstar, Ecco, and Ellipso
– Foreign owned large constellations» ICO Global (a 79-nation consortium), Signal (a Russian firm), Euro-African Sat Telecom
(Matra-Marconi), and Eco 8 (Telebras-Brazil)
– US owned small constellations» Orbcomm, Gemnet, FaiSat, and Starsys
– Foreign owned small constellations» Elekon (Russia/Germany), Gonets-D (Russia), Iris (Belgium), and Leo One (Mexico)
The Explosion of Commercial Space and the Implications for National Security GEN THOMAS S. MOORMAN JR., USAF, RETIRED 1998
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Commerce - Launch• Launch
– The space-launch business is changing as dramatically as space communications• From 1975 to 1995, the annual national launch rate was about 23
– 75 to 80 percent government
• In next decade launches will increase to 45–52 a year– commercial launches will exceed both civil (NASA) and those categorized
as national security (military and intelligence)
• The airplane-launched Pegasus is operational• Several Foreign launch vehicles are being used
– The ESA Ariane is used, Russian vehicles such as the Proton, Zenit, Tsyklon, and Kosmos are now available, and the Chinese Long March is an option.
The Explosion of Commercial Space and the Implications for National Security GEN THOMAS S. MOORMAN JR., USAF, RETIRED 1998
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Example of Increase in Commercial Launch Capability
65,000 HP
> 2,000,000 HP
Advance In Performance of Ariane Rocket Engines over a period of ~20 years
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Commerce - Earth Observation• Earth Observation
– Commercial systems to observe the earth from space is another industry poised to take off during the next decade• this area remained the sole domain of the government for many years• government policy concerning remote sensing was one of the hottest space issues of
the early 1990s.• Resulted in the Land Remote Sensing Act of 1992
– permits companies to apply for licenses to build and operate these systems.– requires companies to maintain tasking records – authorizes the government to cut off or restrict data during times of crisis or conflict.
• Department of Commerce, estimated that this will be a $2.65-billion-a-year business by the turn of the century
– Uses include environmental monitoring, energy (oil and gas) exploration, resource management (agricultural and mineral), mapmaking, and community and urban planning
The Explosion of Commercial Space and the Implications for National Security GEN THOMAS S. MOORMAN JR., USAF, RETIRED 1998
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Commerce - Navigation• Navigation
– The evolution of the commercial aspects of space navigation is not as clear as the areas previously discussed.
• This system was developed for military use and initial commercial sales were to small aircraft, pleasure boats, and large aircraft.
• The market today and in the future will lie overwhelmingly in the consumer sector.
• GPS worldwide sales have grown from about $500 million in 1993 to $4 billion in 1998 and are projected to increase to $16 billion by 2003
– Presidential GPS policy of March 1996• “GPS has been designed as a dual use system with the primary purpose of
enhancing the effectiveness of US and allied military forces.”
– As such, the policy reaffirmed DoD’s responsibility to acquire, operate, and maintain GPS
The Explosion of Commercial Space and the Implications for National Security GEN THOMAS S. MOORMAN JR., USAF, RETIRED 1998
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Physics 3010 Spring semester 2003 W. J. Raitt
Space Defense• Surveillance, surface/weather images, missiles,
radio/radar transmissions, nuclear detonation– Military– Intelligence services (CIA, NSA)
• Communication– Secure geosynchronous satellite links– LEO constellations (Iridium)
• Navigation– GPS system
• Ballistic missile defense systems– Space borne weapons to destroy incoming missiles.