NEAR-EARTH OBJECT (NEO) FLEXIBLE MISSION ARCHITECTURE DESIGNS
NASA is interested in architecture approaches that provide cost-effective human missions to Near Earth Objects (NEOs) in the 2025 to 2030 timeframe. The number of crew members should be selected to provide cost-effective, safe NEO exploration, while maximizing science return. The specific NEOs (e.g., asteroids) should be selected (a minimum of 3 should be identified) to balance potential threat mitigation, target size, science return, the ability to send a pre-cursor robotic mission, and mission time and cost. The architecture should include launch systems, in-space systems, and surface exploration systems, tools and equipment. Innovative robotics system concepts for exploring the surface and gathering samples from at least 10 cm under the surface should be identified. The architecture should also consider opportunities for commercial companies to partner with NASA to provide capabilities to enable safe transport of crew and cargo that also have synergies with non-NASA markets. Commercial provided capabilities should accommodate a diversity of people (e.g., astronauts, scientists, spaceflight participants) for a variety of reasons (e.g., science, research, tourism), including NASA personnel as crew or participants. All systems and technologies should be available for initial human missions in 2025, with the ability to add capabilities needed for more challenging NEO missions later. The potential for these same systems being used for cis-Lunar human missions should also be examined. Approaches for evolving the architecture to include reusable elements to enable sustainable solar system exploration should be considered. Key technologies, including technology readiness levels (TRLs), should be identified. Development and annual operating costs should be calculated. Reliability and safety should be considered in trading various architecture options as well.
ORBITAL DEBRIS MITIGATION APPROACHES
NASA is interested in approaches that provide cost-effective approaches to orbital debris mitigation and removal from low, medium, and geosynchronous orbits. Recent satellite collisions and destruction have significantly increased the number of objects in Earth-orbit. The objects pose a serious hazard to future spacecraft and human habitats. As the number of objects and collisions increase, a critical number could soon be reached that lead to exponential growth in the number of objects. There is a need to examine the number and size of the objects and determine how many and what sizes need to be removed on an annual basis to prevent such a critical number. Approaches for capturing and moving/de-orbiting these objects should be developed. Synergy and applicability of these approaches for satellite servicing should also be identified. Consider opportunities for commercial companies to provide in-space servicing capabilities (e.g. debris mitigation or removal; extension of satellite life via refueling or repair services, etc.). Systems to be examined include launch systems, space transfer systems, rendezvous and capture systems, and maneuvering/de-orbit systems. All systems and technologies should be available for initial missions in 2015. The approaches can be either robotic, human enabled or a combination of both. Key technologies, including technology readiness levels (TRLs), should be identified. Development and annual operating costs should be calculated.
TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED HUMAN MARS MISSION
NASA is interested in eventual human mission to the Martian surface. Current Mars design reference architectures that use chemical or nuclear thermal propulsion require several years to complete, a large number of heavy lift launches and over 500 days on the surface the first time humans visit the planet. The durations associated with this type of mission increase the risk to the crew from galactic radiation and system failure. Innovative technologies and system approaches that lower the cost and risk Mars missions are of great interest. Examples of technologies and systems include: in situ resource utilization systems, inflatable entry and aerocapture devices, efficient Mars transfer propulsion systems (reusability is an option), advanced habitation approaches, etc. Key mission constraints to be met by any of the design proposals are: 4 crew, minimum 30 day minimum Mars surface stay, maximum 2-year total mission, use of no more than 5 launches of a 125-mT (LEO) payload launch vehicle with a 10-meter-diameter payload shroud. Mission benefits (e.g., lowering cost) of specific technologies should be clearly demonstrated through systems analysis of the entire mission. Approaches that lead to sustainable human Mars exploration leading up to the establishment of an outpost are encouraged. Cost, reliability and human safety should be considered in the design process.
BRINGING THE WORLD ALONG WITH PARTICIPATORY EXPLORATION
An important element of NASA’s exploration program is engaging the general public in human exploration missions. To capture the attention of a large cross section of the general population, NASA must use a variety of innovative and diverse approaches. A potential example might be the development of high-definition cameras on the rovers and in planetary and in-space habitats, with the ability to control rovers or monitor experiments from Earth. This would not only require a communications infrastructure that would enable the transmission of high-definition images from the Moon, but would also require the use of satellites and ground stations to provide communications connections and interfaces. Other potential activities could include: fly-along experiments on a planetary lander, remote controlled rover races or other competitions, near real-time use of the general public and scientific community in exploration data analysis, prizes like the Google-X prize, innovative use of the Google Moon application, new multimedia program content for NASA TV or web sites, and use of immersive virtual reality in exploration. Opportunities for NASA commercial partner involvement, including conduct or support of NASA related participatory exploration initiatives, is encouraged. Teams should develop an integrated approach that begins in 2012 that defines how NASA must implement participatory exploration into its thinking, programs and missions. The approach should also identify investments required in enabling technologies, support infrastructure and the potential impact of “participatory sensors” on destination systems. The approach should yield a cultural shift in and outside of NASA that results in awareness and excitement about what NASA is doing at the moment, not what it did in the past.