Exploration Architecture Update Doug Cooke Deputy Associate Administrator Exploration Systems Mission Directorate John Connolly Vehicle Engineering and Integration Lunar Lander Project Office March 14, 2007
A Bold Vision for Space Exploration, Authorized by Congress Complete the International Space Station Safely fly the Space Shuttle until 2010 Develop and fly the Crew Exploration Vehicle (Orion) no later than 2014 Return to the Moon no later than 2020 Extend human presence across the solar system and beyond Implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program Develop supporting innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures Promote international and commercial participation in exploration NASA Authorization Act of 2005 The Administrator shall establish a program to develop a sustained human presence on the Moon, including a robust precursor program to promote exploration, science, commerce and U.S. preeminence in space, and as a stepping stone to future exploration of Mars and other destinations. March 2007 2
Global Exploration Strategy Use the Moon to prepare for future human and robotic missions to Mars and other destinations Pursue scientific activities to address fundamental questions about the solar system, the universe, and our place in them Extend sustained human presence to the moon to enable eventual settlement Expand Earth s economic sphere to encompass the Moon and pursue lunar activities with direct benefits to life on Earth Strengthen existing and create new global partnerships Engage, inspire, and educate the public March 2007 3
NASA s Exploration Roadmap 1st Human Orion Flight 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Science Robotic Missions Lunar Robotic Missions 7th Human Lunar Landing Mars Expedition Design Lunar Outpost Buildup Surface Systems Development Early Design Activity Lunar Lander Development Ares V Development Earth Departure Stage Development Orion Production and Operations Orion Development Ares I Development Initial Orion Capability Commercial Crew/Cargo for ISS ISS Sustaining Operations Space Shuttle Ops SSP Transition March 2007 4 4
The Moon the First Step to Mars and Beyond. Gaining significant experience in operating away from Earth s environment Space will no longer be a destination visited briefly and tentatively Living off the land Human support systems Developing technologies needed for opening the space frontier Crew and cargo launch vehicles (125 metric ton class) Earth ascent/entry system Orion Conduct fundamental science Astronomy, physics, astrobiology, historical geology, exobiology Next Step in Fulfilling Our Destiny As Explorers March 2007 5
Components of Program Constellation Earth Departure Stage Ares V - Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle Orion - Crew Exploration Vehicle Lunar Lander Ares I - Crew Launch Vehicle October 2006 6
Typical Lunar Reference Mission MOON Vehicles are not to scale. 100 km Low Lunar Orbit LSAM Performs Lunar Orbit Insertion Ascent Stage Expended Low Earth Orbit Earth Departure Stage (EDS) Expended Service Module Expended EARTH EDS, LSAM Orion Direct Entry Land Landing October 2006 7
How We Plan to Return to the Moon Orion A blunt body capsule is the safest, most affordable and fastest approach Separate Crew Module and Service Module configuration Vehicle designed for lunar missions with 4 crew Can accommodate up to 6 crew for Mars and Space Station missions System also has the potential to deliver pressurized and unpressurized cargo to the Space Station if needed 5 meter diameter capsule scaled from Apollo Significant increase in volume Reduced development time and risk Reduced reentry loads, increased landing stability and better crew visibility March 2007 8
How We Plan to Return to the Moon Project Ares The safest, most reliable and most affordable means of meeting crew requirements is a system derived from Space Shuttle components Capitalizes on human rated systems and existing facilities The most straightforward growth path to later exploration launch needs 131 metric ton lift capacity required to minimize on-orbit assembly and complexity increasing mission success A clean-sheet-of-paper design is too expensive and risky The current Shuttle system lifts 100 metric tons to orbit on every launch but 80 metric tons is the Orbiter Ares I Ares V March 2007 9
Building on a Foundation of Proven Technologies - Launch Vehicle Comparisons - 120 Overall Vehicle Height, m 90 60 30 Upper Stage (1 J-2X) 127Mt LOx/LH 2 5-Segment Reusable Solid Rocket Booster (RSRB) Lunar Lander Earth Departure Stage (EDS) (1 J-2X) 226Mt lb LOx/LH 2 Core Stage (5 RS-68 Engines) 1410Mt LOx/LH 2 5-Segment 2 RSRB s Crew Lander S-IVB (1 J-2 engine) 110Mt Lox/LH 2 S-II (5 J-2 engines) 450Mt LOx/LH 2 S-IC (5 F-1) 1770Mt LOx/RP Space Shuttle Ares I Ares V Saturn V Height: 56m Gross Liftoff Mass: 2040Mt 25Mt to LEO Height: 98m Gross Liftoff Mass: 910Mt 22Mt to LEO Height: 109m Gross Liftoff Mass: 3310Mt 53Mt to TLI 65Mt to TLI in Dual- Launch Mode with Ares I 131Mt to LEO Height: 111m Gross Liftoff Mass: 2950Mt 45Mt to TLI 119Mt to LEO March 2007 10
Lander Architecture Ascent Module (minimized for mass) Landed Mass (Cargo, Habitat, Mobility, etc Maximized for Mass) Design Goals Minimize Ascent Module mass Minimize Descent Module mass Maximize landed payload mass Simplify interfaces Move functions across interfaces when it it makes sense Point of Departure Only 11
NASA Exploration Lunar Activities addressing Themes Human Civilization Global Partnerships Scientific Knowledge Economic Expansion Exploration Preparation Public Engagement 12
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High Priority Lunar Exploration Sites North Pole + 9 13 Oceanus 1 + Procellarum 17 +Aristarchus Plateau 3 12 14 3 15 17 + Rima Bode 6 16 24 Mare Tranquillitatis + 21 5 11 20 16 Mare Smythii + Central Farside Highlands + Orientale Basin Floor + 7 Luna Surveyor Apollo + South Pole Near Side South Pole-Aitken Basin Floor + Far Side March 2007 14
Permanent Sunlight? South Pole: Three areas identified with sunlight for more than 50% of lunar day South Pole One zone receives 70% illumination during dead of southern winter Lit areas in close proximity to permanent darkness (rim of Shackleton) North Pole North Pole: Three areas identified with 100% sunlight Two zones are proximate to craters in permanent shadow Data taken during northern summer (maximum sunlight) Data obtained during southern winter (maximum darkness) Data obtained during northern summer (maximum sunlight) 15
Shackleton Crater Rim Size Comparison The area of Shackleton Crater rim illuminated approximately 80% of the lunar day in southern winter, with even better illumination in southern summer (Bussey et al., 1999) Note: Red Zone = 750 m x 5 km (personal communication with Paul Spudis) 16
Shackleton Crater Rim with Notional Activity Zones Potential Landing Approach To Earth Observation Zone South Pole (Approx.) Power Production Zone Resource Zone (100 Football Fields Shown) Landing Zone (40 Landings Habitation Zone Shown) (ISS Modules Shown) Monthly Illumination (Southern Winter) 50-60% 60-70% >70% 0 5 km Potential Landing Approach 17
o o o Outpost Build Up Year 0-5 Starts 6 month increments KEY Crew/Cargo Lander Solar Power Unit Unpressurized Rover Surface Mobility Carrier Habitation Power Storage Unit Logistics ISRU Module Point of Departure Only Not to Scale 18
Lunar Architecture Framework 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 The ability to fly robotic missions from the outpost or from Earth will be a possible augmentation 19
NASA Implementation Philosophy The US will build the transportation infrastructure and initial communication & navigation and initial EVA Open Architecture: NASA will welcome external development of lunar surface infrastructure The US will perform early demonstrations to encourage subsequent development External parallel development of NASA developed capabilities will be welcomed 20
Open Architecture: Infrastructure Open for Potential External Cooperation Lander and ascent vehicle EVA system CEV and Initial Surface capability Long duration surface suit Power Basic power Augmented Habitation Mobility Basic rover Pressurized rover Other; mules, regolith moving, module unloading Navigation and Communication Basic mission support Augmented High bandwidth ISRU Characterization Demos Production Robotic Missions LRO- Remote sensing and map development Basic environmental data Flight system validation (Descent and landing) Lander Small sats Rovers Instrumentation Materials identification and characterization for ISRU ISRU demonstration ISRU Production Parallel missions Logistics Resupply Specific Capabilities Drills, scoops, sample handling, arms Logistics rover Instrumentation Components Sample return ** US/NASA Developed hardware 21
Forward Work (January July 07) Using current architecture as a point of departure Develop global view and mature architecture Coordinate lunar exploration plans among international and commercial partners and continue to look for other collaboration opportunities Refine campaign and architecture concepts and also element hardware concepts Update and baseline ESMD Requirements Develop Mars Reference Mission Continue to engage academia, the private sector, and other stakeholders in defining a sustainable program of exploration 22
Thank you! March 2007 23