An Early Vision for theArtemis Base CampFuture In-Space Operations (FISO)

April 14, 2021

Jeff George, NASA JSCBret Drake, Aerospace Corporation

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NEAR TERM EXPLORATION PLANS

Base Camp

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Who: 4 Crew

What: Human Landing System, ExtraVehicular Activity “Suit”, Unpressurized Rover, Pressurized Rover, Surface Habitat, Logistics, Science, Technology Demos

When: Early 2030s for a ~30 day Surface Mission

Where: At the Artemis Base Camp, near the Lunar South Pole

Why:• Exploring the Moon• Preparing for Mars• Resource Identification & Utilization• Inspiration & Outreach• International & Commercial Partnerships

The Science Objectives

• Understanding planetary processes

• Understanding the character and origin of lunar polar volatiles

• Interpreting the impact history of the Earth-Moon system

• Revealing the record of the ancient sun and our astronomical environment

• Observing the universe and the local space environment from a unique location

• Conducting experimental science in the lunar environment

• Investigating and mitigating exploration risks

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SURFACE TECHNOLOGY OBJECTIVES

In-Situ Resource Utilization

Sustainable Power

Extreme Access

Extreme Environments

Surface Excavation/Construction

Lunar Dust Mitigation

• In-situ resource utilization technologies for collecting, processing, storing, and using material found or manufactured on the Moon or other planetary bodies

• Surface power technologies that provide the capability for sustainable, continuous power throughout the lunar day and night

• Dust mitigation technologies that diminish dust hazards on lunar surface systems such as cameras, solar panels, space suits, and instrumentation

• Extreme environment technologies that enable systems to operate throughout the range of lunar surface temperatures

• Extreme access technologies that enable humans or robots to efficiently access, navigate, and explore previously inaccessible lunar surface or subsurface areas

• Excavation and construction technologies that enable affordable, autonomous manufacturing or construction

The Lunar Surface Innovative Initiative works across industry, academia and government through in-house efforts and public-private partnerships to develop transformative capabilities for lunar surface exploration.

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GATEWAY TRANSIT HABITATAND MARS TRANSIT

PRESSURIZED ROVER

HUMAN LANDINGSYSTEM

Mobile Expedition Duration

Mobile Exploration Range

Surface Fission Power

Long Durations in Zero Gravity

Crew Size

Autonomous Robotics Systems & Contingency Crew

Transportation

LUNARTERRAINVEHICLE

In-Situ Resource Utilization

Partial Gravity Operations

SURFACEHABITAT

Moon to Mars ExplorationOperations on and around the Moon will help prepare for the first human mission to Mars

Transportation Systems Deep-Space Outpost

Artemis Base Camp: Core Systems and Vehicles

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Space Launch System

Orion Human Landing System

Gateway

Transit Habitat

Lunar / Mars Prototype Surface Systems

EVA System(xEMU – Suit Port)

Lunar Terrain Vehicle

Pressurized Rover

Surface Habitat Fission Surface Power (FSP)

Science, ISRU and Technology Demos

Various

Exploration Ground Systems

THE GATEWAY– A platform to establish a

sustained human presence on and around the Moon in the next decade

– Will remain in lunar orbit enabling access to the lunar surface while opening the solar system to further exploration

– Built by NASA, industry, and international partners

Power and Propulsion Element60-kilowatt solar electric propulsion

spacecraft

Habitation and Logistics OutpostInitial crew cabin for astronauts

visiting the Gateway

Gateway Logistics Services5 MT capability for pressurized and

unpressurized cargo

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Human Landing System

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Unpressurized Rover

Objective:• Provide early mobility for suited Artemis

astronauts to expand exploration range

Capabilities:• Reusable and rechargeable for

approximate 10 year service life• Remote operation from HLS, Gateway,

Earth• Ability to traverse from one landing zone

to another• Interface with future science instruments

and payloads for utilization or pre-deployment of assets

• Ability to survive eclipse periods

Pressurized Rover

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Objective:• Provide pressurized mobile habitation to enable

long-range surface exploration in shirtsleeve environment and quick and easy access to surface

Capabilities:• Habitation for 30 days for 2 crew• Rear suitport allows astronaut egress and

ingress of the vehicle via the spacesuits, leaving the suits outside the pressurized volume

• Provides volume for spares and logistics • Power generation and energy storage for lunar

environment• Dust and radiation protection• Reuse for multiple missions of 15-year lifetime

Foundation Surface HabitatObjective:• Foundation Surface Habitat will be a primary asset to

achieve a sustained lunar presence and serve as a platform for Mars mission preparations

• NASA is working with industry to develop conceptual designs for the Foundational Surface Habitat

Capabilities:• 2-4 crew – medical, exercise, galley, crew quarters,

stowage• 30-60 day capable habitat• EVA capable via air lock with suit maintenance capability• Power generation, recharge capability for surface assets• Communication hub for surface assets• Reuse for multiple missions of 15 year lifetime

GATEWAY TRANSIT HABITATAND MARS TRANSIT

PRESSURIZED ROVER

HUMAN LANDINGSYSTEM

Mobile Expedition Duration

Mobile Exploration Range

Surface Fission Power

Long Durations in Zero Gravity

Crew Size

Autonomous Robotics Systems & Contingency Crew

Transportation

LUNARTERRAINVEHICLE

In-Situ Resource Utilization

Partial Gravity Operations

SURFACEHABITAT

Moon to Mars ExplorationOperations on and around the Moon will help prepare for the first human mission to Mars

Notional Artemis Base Camp Concept of Operations

• Key Points: – Task: Develop an Artemis Base Camp Concept of Operations

which represents a notional mission in the 2030s to the South Pole of the Moon

– Capabilities are pre-deployed (orbit and ground), operational and controlled from Earth or orbit prior to, during, and after the crew portion of the mission

– 4 crew spend ~30 days at the Gateway / Transit Habitat, then all 4 crew land in the HLS at the Artemis Base Camp

– Crew spends ~30 days on the surface performing science, technology demonstrations, and Mars risk reduction activities

– 2x2 Exploration Strategy: 2 in the Pressurized Rover and 2 in the Surface Habitat

– Collocated joint activities periodically during the mission for maintenance, logistics, water, and waste transfers

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A work in progress with much work to go

Lunar Extended Stay Mission Sequence

Landing / Post-Landing

Transition toSurface

Surface Exploration

PreparationFor Ascent

UncrewedOperations

UncrewedOperations

Power

Unpressurized and Pressurized Rover

Orbital Ops Prepare for Descent(30+ days)

4 Crew Landing

4 Crew Ascent

4 Crew Return to Earth

31.8 days on the surface

Uncrewed OperationsCrewed OperationsHuman

Landing SystemDelivery

Logistics

LogisticsDelivery

4 Crew To Gateway

Habitat

Backup

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Bios

• Jeffrey A. George serves as the Lunar Architecture lead for the HEO SE&I Office at NASA HQ, and is a member of the Exploration Mission Planning Office at NASA JSC. Jeff leads a multidisciplinary team across NASA centers in the development of the Lunar Architecture and Artemis Base Camp, and their associated mission planning, concept of operations, site planning, element conceptualization, and systems integration. Jeff earned his MS and BS degrees in Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University.

• Bret G. Drake currently serves as the Associate Director of the Space Architecture Department for the Aerospace Corporation where he leads system engineering and programmatic assessments of advanced space systems. Previously at NASA, Bret led design and analysis studies of human exploration in missions to the Moon, Near-Earth Objects, and Mars. Bret is a graduate of the University of Texas in Aerospace Engineering.

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