Plans for Human Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit

PLANS FOR HUMAN EXPLORATION BEYOND LOW EARTH ORBIT
Laurie Leshin, Deputy AA ESMD
March 30, 2011

Explore to Prosper
Discover
Address grand challenges about ourselves, our world, our cosmic surroundings
Innovate
Provide opportunities to develop new technologies, new jobs, and new markets
Inspire
Inspire students to explore, learn, contribute to our nation’s economic competitiveness, and build a better future

A Bounty of Opportunity for Human Explorers
Near Earth Asteroids:
– Compelling science questions: How did the Solar System form? Where did Earth’s water and organics come from?
– Planetary defense: Understanding and mitigating the threat of impact
– Potential for valuable space resources
– Excellent stepping stone for Mars
3
Mars and its Moons:
– A premier destination for discovery: Is there life beyond Earth? How did Mars evolve?
– True possibility for extended, even permanent, stays
– Significant opportunities for international collaboration
– Technological driver for space systems
HEO/GEO/Lagrange Points:
– Microgravity destinations beyond LEO
– Opportunities for construction, fueling and repair of complex in-space systems
– Excellent locations for advanced space telescopes and Earth observers
Earth’s Moon:
– Witness to the birth of the Earth and inner planets
– Has critical resources to sustain humans
– Significant opportunities for commercial and international collaboration

Destinations for Expansion of Humans Into the Solar System Enabled by FY 2012 Investments
Mars
4
“Planetary Exploration”
Access to Planetary Surfaces
Phobos/Deimos
“Full Capability” NEA
“Exploring Other Worlds”
Access to Low-Gravity Bodies
“Minimal” NEA Mission
Lunar Surface Missions
“Into the Solar System”
Human Exploration of Interplanetary Space
Lunar Flyby & Orbit
Increments in technology, systems, flight elements development and operational experience
GEO/HEO Missions
“Gaining the High Ground”
Human Access to Cis-Lunar Space
Key
New LEO Missions
Candidate Destination

The President’s Budget Request and Authorization Act of 2010 Align with Capability-Driven Framework Needs
In Low Earth Orbit:
ISS being utilized for critical exploration research and demonstrations
Cargo and crew access to ISS being developed through innovative partnerships with private sector
SLS and MPCV are initial essential capabilities required for NASA and the U.S. to lead exploration beyond LEO
These vehicles provide capabilities needed for exploration of many destinations, including cis-lunar space, the moon, asteroids and Mars and its environs
Required research, technologies and capabilities development beyond SLS and MPCV are supported in ESMD and OCT
Exploration of more complex destinations will be enabled as key capabilities are developed over time
5

Capability-Enabled Framework
NASA will open the inner solar system to human explorers via investments in capabilities that will enable more complex missions over time
Full Capability Near-Earth Asteroid
Minimum Near-Earth Asteroid
Geosynchronous/ High-Earth Orbit
Mars Moons
Lunar Orbit/Vicinity
Mars Surface
Full Capability Near-Earth Asteroid
Lunar Surface
Minimum Near-Earth Asteroids
Orbit Mission Lunar Orbit/Vicinity
Destinations
Capability
6

Opening the Solar System:
A Sustainable Future for Human Explorers

If Star Trekcan reimagine itself…
…why not NASA?

Expansion of Human Exploration Capabilities
Minimal NEA Missions
34A
Mars Elements
6: Enable Mars Missions
Distance
Surface Capabilities Needed
Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV)
Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP)
5: Enable Deep Space Missions
Long Duration Habitation Needed
Deep Space Habitat (DSH)
Lunar Flyby &Orbital Missions
33A
33B
4: Enable Long Duration Missions
New LEO Missions
Crew EVA Suit Block 2
31A
Lunar Lander & GPOD
Mars Missions
35A
35B
3: Enable Lunar Surface Missions
Advanced Propulsion Needed
GEO/HEO Missions
32A
32B
Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (CPS)
Key
High Thrust in-Space Propulsion Needed
2: Enable Missions Beyond LEO
Robotics & EVA Module (REM)
Full Capability NEA Missions
Capability Gates
34B
Crew EVA Suit Block 1
Lunar Surface Missions
Candidate Destination
Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV)
33C
DRM
Space Launch System - HLLV
Ultimate Destination Goal
DRM
Element Capability
10
1: Enable New LEO Missions
Mission Duration

Plans for Human Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit

by American Astronautical Society

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