Human Exploration And Development of Space

NASA and North Carolina: Building

Stronger Partnerships

April 24, 2002

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When the History of the First Quarter of the 21st Century is Written…

• We have sought life’s abodes: NASA missions have mapped continents on dozens of planets circling nearby stars, some of which show signs of life-supporting atmospheres. Evidence continues to mount for the existence of life on planets within our own Solar System, as revealed by advanced generations of robotic explorers. Humans and their robotic partners assembled complex science facilities in space to unveil even more challenging cosmic questions.

• We have enabled new commerce: Low Earth Orbit has become a rapid-growth economic zone, with commercial industries taking advantage of low-gravity, abundant solar energy, low-cost access from the Earth’s surface, and a vista that encompasses the entire planet.

• We share the vision and the experience: Throughout the world, students in earthbound classrooms are learning the fundamentals of physics, math, and technology as they actively participate with space travelers via “telepresence technology.”

And we continue to prepare the way for humanity’s greatest adventures.

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NASA’s Vision

To improve life here,To extend life to there,

To find life beyond.

To understand and protect our home planet

To explore the Universe and search for life

To inspire the next generation of explorers

…as only NASA can.

NASA’s Mission

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To Explore the Universe and Search for Life

• Exploring the Universe and the life within it… enabled by technology, first with robotic trailblazers, and eventually humans… as driven by these compelling scientific questions:

• How did we get here?

• Where are we going?

• Are we alone?

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• History of major Solar System events

• Effects of deep space on cells

• Impact of human and natural events upon Earth

• Origin of life in the Solar System

• Planetary sample analysis: absolute age determination

“calibrating the clocks”

• Measurement of genomic responses to radiation

• Measurement of Earth’s vital signs

“taking the pulse”

• Detection of bio-markers and hospitable environments

• Moon• Mars• Asteroids• Venus

• Beyond Van Allen belts

• Earth orbits

• Libration points

• Mars• Europa• Titan• Cometary

nuclei• Libration

points

• How did the Solar System

evolve?

• How do humans adapt to space?

• What is Earth’s sustainability and habitability?

• Is there Life beyond the planet of origin? • Origin of

life in the Universe

Science Drivers Determine Destinations(Selected Examples)

VisionExp

lora

tion

of

Lif

e in

th

e

Un

ivers

e

Pursuits Activities

Science Questio

ns

Destinations

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Sustainable Planetary Presence

Go anywhere, anytime… not destination driven

Earth and Low Earth Orbit

Earth’s Neighborhood

Accessible Planetary Surface

A Progressive Expansion

• Science-DrivenScience-Driven• Technology EnabledTechnology Enabled• Stepping StonesStepping Stones• Sequence: Robots, Sequence: Robots,

humans, new humans, new marketsmarkets

• Leveraging Leveraging PartnershipsPartnerships

72010+ 2020+ 2030+Now

Progressive Exploration CapabilitiesProgressive Exploration Capabilities

Sustainable Planetary Surface

Capability

Accessible Planetary Surface

Capability• In-space propulsion, In-space propulsion,

Isp>1000 sec, high Isp>1000 sec, high thrustthrust

• Power systems, >200 Power systems, >200 w/kg w/kg

• Integrated Human/ Integrated Human/ robotic capabilitiesrobotic capabilities

• Crew Crew countermeasures countermeasures for 100 days for 100 days

• Closure of water/air Closure of water/air systems systems

• Materials, factor of 9Materials, factor of 9• IVHM - Integrated IVHM - Integrated

Vehicle Health Vehicle Health MonitoringMonitoring

• Current launch Current launch systemssystems

• In-space propulsion, In-space propulsion, Isp>3000 sec, high Isp>3000 sec, high thrustthrust

• Power systems, Power systems, >500 w/kg>500 w/kg

• Robotic Robotic aggregation/assemblyaggregation/assembly

• Crew Crew countermeasures for countermeasures for 1-3 years1-3 years

• Complete closure of Complete closure of air/water; options for air/water; options for foodfood

• Materials, factor of 20Materials, factor of 20• Micro-/Nano- avionicsMicro-/Nano- avionics• ETO @ ~$2000/kg ETO @ ~$2000/kg

Payload: 40 to 80mtPayload: 40 to 80mt

• In-space propulsion, In-space propulsion, Isp>3000 sec, high Isp>3000 sec, high thrustthrust

• Sustainable power Sustainable power systems systems

• Intelligent systems, Intelligent systems, orbital and planetary orbital and planetary

• Crew countermeasures Crew countermeasures for indefinite durationfor indefinite duration

• Closure of life support, Closure of life support, including foodincluding food

• ISRU for consumables ISRU for consumables & spares& spares

• Materials, factor of 40Materials, factor of 40• Automated reasoning Automated reasoning

and smart sensingand smart sensing• ETO @ <$2000/kg ETO @ <$2000/kg

Payload: 40 to 80mtPayload: 40 to 80mt

Earth’s Neighborh

ood Capability

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Current Concepts & Technologies

New Concepts

New Technologies

New Concepts Using New Technologies

Revolutionary Concepts

Using Breakthroug

h Technologies

NewConcepts and

Current Technologies

Current Current Concepts Concepts and New and New

TechnologieTechnologiess

Technology Approach

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The Criteria

• Compelling science objectives and benefits

• Knowledge about destinations

• Reliable and affordable mission concepts

• Acceptable technology readiness achieved

• Validation of capabilities for deep space missions

• Identified opportunities for partnership/leadership

• Inspiring and engaging to students and the public

What must we know to

make informed decisions?

Enabling the Strategy

The Hurdles

• Space Transportation– Safe, fast, and efficient

• Affordable, Abundant Power– Solar and nuclear

• Crew Health and Safety– Countermeasures and

medical autonomy• Optimized Robotic and

Human Operations– Dramatically higher

productivity; on-site intelligence

• Space Systems Performance– Advanced materials, low-

mass, self-healing, self-assembly, self-sufficiency…

Mass

Savin

gs

Norm

aliz

ed

to IS

S

Mass

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

Today Technology

Advanced Avionics (7%)

Maintenance & Spares (18%)

Advanced Materials (17%)

Closed life Support (34%)

Nuclear Propulsion (45%)Aerobraking (42%)

The Value of Technology Investments Crewed Mars Mission Example

Estimated ISS Completed Mass: 470 mt

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Work Breakdown StructureWork Breakdown Structure

Exploration Exploration TechnologyTechnology

1.01.0Systems Systems

Integration, Integration, Analysis, Concepts, Analysis, Concepts,

ModelingModeling

2.02.0Enabling Advanced Enabling Advanced

Research and Research and TechnologyTechnology

3.03.0Technology Flight Technology Flight DemonstrationsDemonstrations

2.12.1Space Space

Resources Resources DevelopmeDevelopme

ntnt

2.22.2Space Space

Utilities and Utilities and PowerPower

2.32.3Habitation Habitation and Bio-and Bio-

astronauticsastronautics

2.42.4Space Space

Assembly, Assembly, Inspection & Inspection & MaintenancMaintenanc

ee

2.52.5Exploration Exploration

and and ExpeditionsExpeditions

2.62.6SpaceSpaceTrans-Trans-

portationportation

2.72.7In-Space In-Space

Instruments Instruments and Sensorsand Sensors

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Areas for Investment Attention

Solar Power (High Power)

Space Assembly, Maintenance & Servicing (Robotic, EVA)

Cryogenic Propellant Depots

Biological Risk (Radiation)

Aero- Assist/Entry and Landing

Electric/Electromagnetic* Propulsion (High Power)

Adaptation and Countermeasures (Gravity)

Communications and Control

Human Factors and Habitability

Regenerative Life Support Systems

Surface Science & Mobility

Materials and Structures (Manufacturing Validation)

Space Medicine and Health Care

Earth-to-Orbit Transportation

In-Space Chemical Propulsion

Nuclear Propulsion

Advanced Habitation Systems

Nuclear Power

In Situ Resource Utilization

In Situ Manufacturing

Flying Systems

“Earth Neighborhood” Mission Driven

Accessible Planetary Mission Driven

Sustained Planetary Presence Driven

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“As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it.” A. de Saint-Exupery

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