Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “sustained exploration”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Earth-Moon Cycler Mission Design for Lunar Logistics

One of the key functions of the Artemis program is to drive a sustainable approach to manned Lunar exploration. Current planning takes steps to achieve this through the development of Gateway and a Human Landing System. However, establishing and maintaining a supply chain to and from the Gateway and the Lunar south pole requires a more robust and sustainable approach to logistics. This paper explores the benefits that an Earth-Moon cycler may provide to lunar logistics by removing the necessity for large and often expensive rockets in lieu of more frequent but smaller missions. Furthermore, such a cycler can open up possibilities for lunar cargo return which is currently only fulfilled by Orion's limited return capability. The Earth-Moon cylcer offers a platform for power, thermal systems, guidance, navigation, and control, as well as communications which can open opportunities for the growing market of commercial satellites. This work explores the available families of Earth-Moon cyclers with an inclination near 90° with respect to the Moon, and the capabilities such a notional system can offer to desirable locations in cis-lunar space.

Cycler↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA Space Launch System Completes Green Run Testing, Begins Assembly

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) Program is poised in 2021 to shift its focus to the launch site with the completion of its last major integrated hardware and software test. SLS is NASA’s evolvable super heavy-lift launch vehicle for deep space exploration. Using proven propulsion technologies, SLS will be the most powerful launch vehicle in the world. That capability translates not only into more mass and volume to destinations but also simplified payload design and mission operations and greater opportunity for mission success. These capabilities will be important for the Artemis program, NASA’s plan to return humans to the Moon to stay in a sustainable way in order to develop and test technologies and operations needed for human missions to Mars and other destinations. SLS will anchor the transportation leg of an innovative, sustainable program of lunar exploration with commercial and international partners as the first step of human exploration of deep space. While all major hardware and software efforts made significant progress in 2020 and 2021, the most visible was the Green Run test series of the Artemis I core stage conducted at NASA’s Stennis Space Center (SSC) on the B-2 test stand. The series validated core stage design, performance, workmanship, and readiness for shipment to NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for final processing, integration and launch. The core stage provides the backbone for SLS’ main propulsion system, consisting of two five-segment solid rocket boosters and four RS-25 liquid hydrogen (LH2)/liquid oxygen (LOX) engines. SLS also includes an Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) that will insert the Orion crew spacecraft into a lunar trajectory.

John Honeycutt↗
NASA NTRS2008

Refining the Ares V Design to Carry Out NASA's Exploration Initiative

NASA's Ares V cargo launch vehicle is part of an overall architecture for u.S. space exploration that will span decades. The Ares V, together with the Ares I crew launch vehicle, Orion crew exploration vehicle and Altair lunar lander, will carry out the national policy goals of retiring the Space Shuttle, completing the International Space Station program, and expanding exploration of the Moon as a steps toward eventual human exploration of Mars. The Ares fleet (Figure 1) is the product of the Exploration Systems Architecture study which, in the wake of the Columbia accident, recommended separating crew from cargo transportation. Both vehicles are undergoing rigorous systems design to maximize safety, reliability, and operability. They take advantage of the best technical and operational lessons learned from the Apollo, Space Shuttle and more recent programs. NASA also seeks to maximize commonality between the crew and cargo vehicles in an effort to simplify and reduce operational costs for sustainable, long-term exploration.

Creech, Steve↗
NASA NTRS2009

NASA Lunar Mining and Construction Activities and Plans

The Space Exploration Policy enacted by the US Congress in 2005 calls for the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program to explore the solar system and beyond; Extend human presence across the solar system, starting with a human return to the Moon by the year 2020, in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations; Develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures both to explore and to support decisions about the destinations for human exploration; and Promote international and commercial participation in exploration to further U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests. In 2006, NASA released the Lunar Architecture Study, which proposed establishing a lunar Outpost on the Moon with international participation to extend human presence beyond Earth's orbit, pursue scientific activities, use the Moon to prepare for future human missions to Mars, and expand Earth s economic sphere. The establishment of sustained human presence on the Moon for science and exploration combines the design, integration, and operation challenges experienced from both the short Apollo lunar missions and the build-up and sustained crew operations of the International Space Station (ISS). Apollo experience reminds developers and mission planners that hardware must operate under extremely harsh environmental and abrasive conditions and every kilogram of mass and payload must be critical to achieve the mission s objectives due to the difficulty and cost of reaching the lunar surface. Experience from the ISS reminds developers and mission planners that integration of all hardware must be designed and planned from the start of the program, operations and evolution of capabilities on a continuous basis are important, and long-term life-cycle costs and logistical needs are equally or more important than minimizing early development and test costs. Overarching all of this is the need to implement efforts that are sustainable and affordable. One area NASA is developing that can significantly change how systems required for sustained human presence are designed and integrated, as well as potentially break our reliance on Earth supplied logistics, is In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). ISRU, also known living off the land, involves the extraction and processing of local resources into useful products. In particular, the ability to make propellants, life support consumables, fuel cell reagents, and radiation shielding can significantly reduce the cost, mass, and risk of sustained human activities beyond Earth. Also, the ability to modify the lunar landscape for safer landing, transfer of payloads from the lander an outpost, dust generation mitigation, and infrastructure placement and buildup are also extremely important for long-term lunar operations. While extra-terrestrial excavation, material handling and processing, and site preparation and construction may be new to NASA and other space agencies, there is extensive terrestrial hardware and commercial experience that can be leveraged. This paper will provide an overview of current NASA activities in lunar ISRU mining and construction and how terrestrial experience in these areas are important to achieving the goal of affordable and sustainable human exploration.

Sanders, Gerald B.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA Centennial Challenges Deep Space Food Challenge Competition to Incentivize Innovation in Food Systems for Long-Duration Space Exploration Missions

The Centennial Challenges (CC) program, currently part of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), is one of the vehicles NASA uses to develop and execute public prize competitions. Since opening its first challenge in 2005, the CC program has initiated more than 20 challenges in a variety of technology areas. This paper provides the background, development and execution of the Deep Space Food Challenge as one approach to fulfilling NASA’s Space Policy Directive 1 (“To the Moon, then Mars”). Specifics about the CC program’s accomplishments will also be discussed. The Deep Space Food Challenge (DSF) was developed in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to create novel food production technologies with minimal inputs, and maximum safe, nutritious, palatable food outputs for long-duration space missions, which have potential to benefit people on Earth. When humans return to the lunar surface in the mid-2020s, the early missions will use prepackaged foods similar to those in use on the International Space Station (ISS) today. However, extending the duration of lunar missions requires reducing resupply dependency on Earth. Testing a sustainable system on the Moon that meets lunar crews’ needs is a fundamental step for lunar sustainability and future Mars exploration. NASA and CSA are focused on how to furnish crew members with a viable food system for long duration space missions that provides all daily nutritional needs through a variety of palatable, safe food with limited resource requirements and no dependency on resupply from Earth; and enables acceptable, safe and quick preparation methods. On Earth, technology solutions for food systems could also be used to produce nutritional sources for urban and rural environments; potentially leading to a reduced impact on our Earth’s resources. Challenges, such as the DSF, are an embodiment of NASA’s continuing commitment to technological advancement and innovation through non-traditional programs.

Centennial Challenges↗
NASA NTRS2021

What to Take? When to Make? How to Break Even? Avoid Mistakes in Microbial Biomanufacturing in Support of Human Near-to-Deep-Space Exploration

In this whitepaper, we call for the concept of biomanufacturing to be expanded and widely adopted as a support function of human Space-travel. To demonstrate the impact and value of this strategy, we identify the specific offworld scenarios where the concept is most applicable, as well as the vital inventories that can be made available thereby. This will serve to increase capabilities of human operations beyond Earth-orbit and allow for extended mission design through greater autonomy while minimizing risks through redundancy. To this end, we sketch the potential routes and systems to arrive at these goals, in the form of specialized microbial cell factories that can most meaningfully leverage the resources available along the journey. The strategic vision presented here relies heavily on Synthetic Biology as it integrates with major plans for In Situ Resource Utilization and highlights applications that engineered biology is uniquely suited to address. We finish by advocating for the research and development investments that need to be made in order to significantly increase readiness of these technologies over the coming decade. This dovetails with current efforts to return humans to the Moon with Mars on the horizon. Besides ensuring the feasibility and sustainability of crewed Space exploration and habitation, the advancement of these technologies may spawn a new scalable microgravity-based biotechnology industry that contributes to the creation of a circular economy on Earth.

Biomanufacturing↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Comparative Assessment of Evolvable Martian ISRU Propellant Production for Future Human Missions

In 2022, NASA released its “Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives Development” document, containing top-level goals and objectives designed to create a blueprint for sustained human presence and exploration throughout the solar system. One objective in this “blueprint” calls for the demonstration of “…Mars ISRU capabilities to support an initial human Mars exploration campaign.” NASA is looking at both the benefits and liens of this concept, as one of several trade space aspects under consideration, for inclusion in the overall architecture of the human exploration of Mars. This paper summarizes results from a series of Martian ISRU-focused trade studies from 2023 and 2024. These studies cover five different approaches to providing propellants for returning crew and equipment from the surface of Mars, using several different combinations of propellants delivered (from Earth) and produced from Martian feedstock material. For comparison purposes, the same ISRU infrastructure elements were used across all options wherever possible. The equipment mass, power, operational complexity, and time needed to produce some or all of these propellants have been quantified and compared when used in a common mission scenario. Analysis results for each option are discussed. Performance parameters for these options are compared side-by-side and observations made, including the positive and negative aspects of each case. The possibility of evolving from a simpler ISRU case to more complex cases that would potentially lead to more sustainable operations are also discussed. While no single case emerged as “better” in all aspects when compared to the others, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages that did emerge when comparing the results generated from a common set of assumptions for all cases. Consequently, specific mission objectives may determine which of these advantages or disadvantages are important for choosing among the cases that could benefit any particular mission or campaign.

Mars↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Comparative Assessment of Evolvable Martian ISRU Propellant Production for Future Human Missions

In 2022, NASA released its “Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives Development” document, containing top-level goals and objectives designed to create a blueprint for sustained human presence and exploration throughout the solar system. One objective in this “blueprint” calls for the demonstration of “…Mars ISRU capabilities to support an initial human Mars exploration campaign.” NASA is looking at both the benefits and liens of this concept, as one of several trade space aspects under consideration, for inclusion in the overall architecture of the human exploration of Mars. This paper summarizes results from a series of Martian ISRU-focused trade studies from 2023 and 2024. These studies cover five different approaches to providing propellants for returning crew and equipment from the surface of Mars, using several different combinations of propellants delivered (from Earth) and produced from Martian feedstock material. For comparison purposes, the same ISRU infrastructure elements were used across all options wherever possible. The equipment mass, power, operational complexity, and time needed to produce some or all of these propellants have been quantified and compared when used in a common mission scenario. Analysis results for each option are discussed. Performance parameters for these options are compared side-by-side and observations made, including the positive and negative aspects of each case. The possibility of evolving from a simpler ISRU case to more complex cases that would potentially lead to more sustainable operations are also discussed. While no single case emerged as “better” in all aspects when compared to the others, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages that did emerge when comparing the results generated from a common set of assumptions for all cases. Consequently, specific mission objectives may determine which of these advantages or disadvantages are important for choosing among the cases that could benefit any particular mission or campaign.

Propellant↗
NASA NTRS2006

Space Exploration Supply Chain Modeling, Simulation and Analysis Using the SCOR Model

sustained and affordable human and robotic program to explore the solar system and beyond. Extend human presence across the solar system, starting with a human return to the Moon by the year 2020, in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations. Develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructure both to explore and to support decisions about the destinations for human exploration; and promote international and commercial participation in exploration to further U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests

space operations↗
NASA NTRS2004

Living With a Star Program

The vision for exploration Moon, Mars and beyond are: Implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program to explore the solar system and beyond. Extend human presence across the solar system, starting with human return to the Moon by the year 2020, in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations (enables). Develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructure both to explore and support decisions about the destinations for human exploration. Promote international and commercial participation in exploration to further U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests.

Barth, Janet L.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Discovering New Drugs on the Cellular Level

With the Vision for Space Exploration calling for a sustained human presence in space, astronauts will need to grow plants, while in orbit, for nourishment that they will not receive from only consuming dehydrated foods. As a potential source of food for long-duration missions, space-grown plants could also give astronauts an important psychological boost, as fresh vegetables could serve as a welcomed change from monotonous meals consisting of reconstituted foods in plastic bags. Even more, these plants could likely aid in the recycling of air and wastewater on spacecraft. With a helping hand from a company by the name of Biolog, Inc., NASA is studying the impacts of decreased gravity and spaceborne bacteria on the plants being grown for food in space. With a helping hand from NASA, this very same company is creating powerful new cell- and bacteria-analysis tools for use in discovering and developing new drugs on Earth.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2006

The State of Space Propulsion Research

The current state of space propulsion research is assessed from both a historical perspective, spanning the decades since Apollo, and a forward-looking perspective, as defined by the enabling technologies required for a meaningful and sustainable human and robotic exploration program over the forthcoming decades. Previous research and technology investment approaches are examined and a course of action suggested for obtaining a more balanced portfolio of basic and applied research. The central recommendation is the establishment of a robust national Space Propulsion Research Initiative that would run parallel with systems development and include basic research activities. The basic framework and technical approach for this proposed initiative are defined and a potential implementation approach is recommended.

Sackheim, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS2011

MW-Class Electric Propulsion System Designs for Mars Cargo Transport

Multi-kilowatt electric propulsion systems are well developed and have been used on commercial and military satellites in Earth orbit for several years. Ion and Hall thrusters have also propelled robotic spacecraft to encounters with asteroids, the Moon, and minor planetary bodies within the solar system. High power electric propulsion systems are currently being considered to support piloted missions to near earth asteroids, as cargo transport for sustained lunar or Mars exploration, and for very high-power piloted missions to Mars and the outer planets. Using NASA Mars Design Architecture 5.0 as a reference, a preliminary parametric analysis was performed to determine the suitability of a nuclear powered, MW-class electric propulsion system for Mars cargo transport. For this initial analysis, high power 100-kW Hall thrusters and 250-kW VASIMR engines were separately evaluated to determine optimum vehicle architecture and estimated performance. The DRA 5.0 cargo mission closed for both propulsion options, delivering a 100 t payload to Mars orbit and reducing the number of heavy lift launch vehicles from five in the baseline DRA 5.0 architecture to two using electric propulsion. Under an imposed single engine-out mission success criteria, the VASIMR system took longer to reach Mars than did the Hall system, arising from the need to operate the VASIMR thrusters in pairs during the spiral out from low Earth orbit.

Gilland, James H.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Deep Space Habitat Concept of Operations for Extended Duration Transit Missions

NASA's Capability-Driven Framework (CDF) describes an approach for progressively extending human exploration missions farther into the Solar System for longer periods of time as allowed by developments in technology and spacecraft systems. Within this framework design reference missions (DRMs) targeted for several specific destinations are being used to assess different combinations of vehicles, operations, and advanced technologies to help understand which combination will best support expanded human exploration both efficiently and sustainably. Several of the identified destinations have been found to require missions with a round trip duration exceeding one year. These mission durations exceed the capabilities of current human-rated spacecraft if resupply from Earth is not possible. This makes the design of an efficient and reliable Deep Space Habitat (DSH) critical for reaching these destinations. The paper will describe the current understanding of DSH capabilities and functions that must be exhibited by any future habitat design for these missions. This description of the DSH is presented in the form of a concept of operation, which focuses on the functions that any DSH must provide, as opposed to a specific DSH design concept. Development of a concept of operations, based on DRM features, provides a common basis for assessing the viability of design concepts incorporating differing configurations and technologies. A study team with representation from several NASA Centers and relevant engineering and scientific disciplines collaborated to develop this DSH concept of operations for the transit phases of these missions. The transit phase of a mission is defined as the time after leaving Earth but before arrival at the destination and the time after leaving the destination but before arriving back at Earth. These transit phases were found to have many common features across all of the destinations being assessed for the CDF and thus arguing for a common concept of operations for all of the associated DRMs. The paper first describes the CDF and potential destinations being considered within this framework. DRMs representative of those currently being assessed will then be discussed to illustrate the range of capabilities that the DSH must support. The 18 functions identified by the multi-discipline analysis team are then described at a summary level. Several specific examples of the potential use for this concept of operations are described.

Hoffman, Stephen J.↗
NASA NTRS2012

NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) Program: Mars Program Utilization

NASA's Space Launch System is being designed for safe, affordable, and sustainable human and scientific exploration missions beyond Earth's orbit (BEO), as directed by the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 and NASA's 2011 Strategic Plan. This paper describes how the SLS can dramatically change the Mars program's science and human exploration capabilities and objectives. Specifically, through its high-velocity change (delta V) and payload capabilities, SLS enables Mars science missions of unprecedented size and scope. By providing direct trajectories to Mars, SLS eliminates the need for complicated gravity-assist missions around other bodies in the solar system, reducing mission time, complexity, and cost. SLS's large payload capacity also allows for larger, more capable spacecraft or landers with more instruments, which can eliminate the need for complex packaging or "folding" mechanisms. By offering this capability, SLS can enable more science to be done more quickly than would be possible through other delivery mechanisms using longer mission times.

May, Todd A.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Overview of Proposed ISRU Technology Development

ISRU involves any hardware or operation that harnesses and utilizes in-situ resources (natural and discarded) to create products and services for robotic and human exploration: Assessment of physical, mineral chemical, and volatile water resources, terrain, geology, and environment (orbital and local). Production of replacement parts, complex products, machines, and integrated systems from feedstock derived from one or more processed resources. Civil engineering, infrastructure emplacement, and structure construction using materials produced from in situ resources. Radiation shields, landing pads, roads, berms, habitats, etc. Generation and storage of electrical, thermal, and chemical energy with in situ derived materials. Solar arrays, thermal wadis, chemical batteries, etc. ISRU is a disruptive capability: Enables more affordable exploration than todays paradigm. Allows more sustainable architectures to be developed. Understand the ripple effect in the other Exploration Elements: MAV: propellant selection, higher rendezvous altitude (higher DV capable with ISRU propellants). EDL: significantly reduces required landed mass. Life Support: reduce amount of ECLSS closure, reduce trash mass carried through propulsive maneuvers. Power: ISRU drives electrical requirements, reactant and regeneration for fuel cells for landers, rovers, and habitat backup. Every Exploration Element except ISRU has some flight heritage (power, propulsion, habitats, landers, life support, etc.) ISRU will require a flight demonstration mission on Mars before it will be included in the critical path. Mission needs to be concluded at least 10 years before first human landed mission to ensure lessons learned can be incorporated into final design. ISRU Formulation team has generated a (still incomplete) list of over 75 technical questions on more than 40 components and subsystems that need to be answered before the right ISRU system will be ready for this flight demo.

Mars exploration↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Inertial Transfer: Concept and Multi-Agent Approach

Research and development of cost saving technologies is vital to the success of NASA’s strategic goal to extend human presence deeper into space and to the moon for sustainable long-term exploration and utilization. Reduction of mass has long been a method of reducing space mission costs. In this submission, Inertial Transfer, a new approach to mass transfer in space, is presented. A Multi-Agent System solution to the problem space is discussed. A scaled base-line simulator is constructed and demonstrated which will enable the development of AI capabilities necessary to perform Inertial Transfer. Finally, future work and key challenges are discussed.

Multi-Agent↗