AAS National Conference 2008: NASA’s Exploration Plans Dr. John Olson Exploration Systems Mission Directorate NASA Headquarters November 19, 2008

The U.S. Space Exploration Policy: Foundation for Exploration Complete the International Space Station Safely fly the Space Shuttle until 2010 Develop & fly the Crew Exploration Vehicle no later than 2014 Return to the Moon no later than 2020 Extend human presence across the solar system & beyond Implement a sustained & affordable human & robotic program Promote international & commercial participation in Exploration

Complete the International Space Station

Safely fly the Space Shuttle until 2010

Develop & fly the Crew Exploration Vehicle no later than 2014

Return to the Moon no later than 2020

Extend human presence across the solar system & beyond

Implement a sustained & affordable human & robotic program

Promote international & commercial participation in Exploration

Exploration Roadmap Lunar Outpost Buildup Commercial Orbital Transportation Services for ISS Ares I and Orion Development Altair Lunar Lander Development Surface Systems Development Ares V and Earth Departure Stage Exploration and Science Lunar Robotics Missions Operations Capability Development (EVA Systems, Ground Operations, Mission Operations) Orion and Ares I Production and Operation Research and Technology Development on ISS Space Shuttle Operations Space Shuttle Program Transition and Retirement 06 05 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Architecture Development Driven By A Strategy Where We Have Been and Next Steps Global Exploration Strategy Development – Themes and Objectives Architecture Assessment (LAT1) Dec 06 – Outpost first at one of the Poles, elements critical to US Detailed Design Concepts (LAT2) Aug 07 – Operations concepts, technology needs, element requirements Lunar Capabilities Concept Review June 08 – Refinement of concepts in support of the transportation system Lunar Surface Concept Review, June 2010 Lunar surface concept additional analysis cycles Lunar transportation and surface systems SRRs Time Surface system concepts but no final designs Lunar surface system element SRRs

Why Explore the Moon? Exploration Preparation Economic Expansion Human Civilization Scientific Knowledge Global Partnerships Public Engagement

Defining and International Lunar Exploration Architecture Working with International Partners Nov 2007: Establishment of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) NASA and other ISECG members participating in series of workshops to jointly examine architectures and approaches for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit Develop several lunar exploration scenarios based on potential exploration objectives across the international community Assess respective priorities, identify potential time dependencies between systems, and assess impact on development of standards

Working with International Partners

Nov 2007: Establishment of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG)

NASA and other ISECG members participating in series of workshops to jointly examine architectures and approaches for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit

Develop several lunar exploration scenarios based on potential exploration objectives across the international community

Assess respective priorities, identify potential time dependencies between systems, and assess impact on development of standards

LRO/LCROSS LCROSS entering thermal vac LRO Mechanical Environments Testing LCROSS Thermal Vacuum Testing

Constellation Program Fleet of Vehicles Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle Altair Lunar Lander Earth Departure Stage

2008: Technical Progress Hardware Fabrication and Testing – Ares I DM-1 First Stage Exit Cone A3 Test Stand Subscale Diffuser Test First Stage Drogue Parachute Drop Test J2-X Power Pack Testing Friction Stir Weld Process Development J2-X Turbopump Development

2008: Technical Progress Hardware Fabrication and Testing – Orion PA-1 Launch Abort Systems Composite Structural Elements Crew Module for Pad Abort 1 Adapter Cone Nose Cone Abort Motor Static Test – 1 Parachute Testing Second Successful Jettison Motor Test

2008: Technical Progress Hardware Fabrication and Testing – EVA Systems Orion Hatch Ingress/Egress (1” short config) Handrail Translation Demonstration Suit Don/Doff Volume Assessment Altair Hatches Ingress/Egress Test

2008: Technical Progress Construction of Facilities J2X A3 Altitude Test Stand Construction Orion Manufacturing Facilities at KSC Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 Launch Complex 39B Lightning Protection System Construction Dynamic Test Stand Modifications

Ares I-X Project Recent Progress Highlights Aft Skirt Drogue Drop Test No. 1 Fwd Skirt to Top of 5th Seg Simulator Aft Segment Thermal Protection System Crew Module Upper Stage Segments in Shipment

Lunar Architecture Framework — A Notional Point of Departure Human lunar missions will be used to build an outpost at a polar site The ability to fly human sorties and cargo missions with the human lander will be preserved Initial power architecture will be solar with the potential augmentation of nuclear power at a later time Robotic missions will be used to: Characterize critical environmental parameters and lunar resources Test technical capabilities as needed (Build-up approach) The ability to fly robotic missions from the outpost or from Earth will be a possible augmentation

Human lunar missions will be used to build an outpost at a polar site

The ability to fly human sorties and cargo missions with the human lander will be preserved

Initial power architecture will be solar with the potential augmentation of nuclear power at a later time

Robotic missions will be used to:

Characterize critical environmental parameters and lunar resources

Test technical capabilities as needed (Build-up approach)

The ability to fly robotic missions from the outpost or from Earth will be a possible augmentation

Possible South Pole Outpost

Notional Elements of an Outpost Logistics carriers Solar Power Mobility Carrier Mobility Basic Hab Lander and Ascent vehicle Site survey, resource mapping ISRU Communications Habitation Initial EVA System Science Lab Regolith moving Augmented Power System Logistics Module

Importance of Mobility in the Lunar Architecture

Summary Challenges lie ahead but NASA continues to deliver as promised Major work, research and studies is underway Contracts are in place and milestones to be met Our plan is executable NASA has planned and paced the multi-decade program to live within its means, while carefully identifying and mitigating the threats to mission success International, Commercial, Science, and Other Government Agency Partnerships are Vital to Exploration Success

Challenges lie ahead but NASA continues to deliver as promised

Major work, research and studies is underway

Contracts are in place and milestones to be met

Our plan is executable

NASA has planned and paced the multi-decade program to live within its means, while carefully identifying and mitigating the threats to mission success

International, Commercial, Science, and Other Government Agency Partnerships are Vital to Exploration Success