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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Total Dissolved Nitrogen and Ammonia Data for the East River Watershed, Colorado (2015-2025)

This data package contains mean values for total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and ammonia concentrations for water samples taken from the East River Watershed in Colorado. The East River is part of the Watershed Function Scientific Focus Area (WFSFA) located in the Upper Colorado River Basin, United States. TDN was analyzed using a Shimadzu Total Nitrogen Module (TNM-1) combined with the TOC-VCSH analyzer (Shimadzu Corporation, Japan). TNM-1 is a non-specific measurement of total nitrogen (TN). All nitrogen species in samples are combusted to nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, then reacted with ozone to form an excited state of nitrogen dioxide. Upon returning to ground state, light energy is emitted. Then, TDN is measured using a chemiluminescence detector. Ammonia was determined using a Lachat's QuikChem 8500 Series 2 Flow Injection Analysis System (LACHAT Instruments, QuckChem 8500 series 2, Automated Ion Analyzer, Loveland, Colorado). When ammonia in water samples is heated (60 degrees C) with salicylate and hypochlorite in an alkaline phosphate buffer, an emerald green color is produced which is proportional to the ammonia concentration. The color is intensified by the addition of nitroprusside. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is added to the buffer to prevent the interference of metal ions (Ca, Mg, and Fe etc.). Ammonia-N is then determined by LACHAT flow injection and a colorimetric assay at an absorbance wavelength 660 nm. (Reference: LACHAT Instruments: QuickChem Method 90-107-06-3-A, Determination of Ammonia by Flow Injection Analysis (High Throughput, Salicylate Method/DCIC) (Multi Matrix method). Written by Lynn Egan (Application group), February 08, 2011.) All files are labeled by location and variable, and data reported are the mean values upon replicate measurements. All samples were analyzed under a rigorous quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) process as detailed in the methods. This data package contains (1) a zip file (tdn_ammonia_data_2015-2025.zip) containing a total of 299 files: 298 data files of ammonia and TDN data from across the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Watershed Function Scientific Focus Area (SFA) which is reported in .csv files per location and a locations.csv (1 file) with latitude and longitude for each location; (2) a file-level metadata (v7_20260901_flmd.csv) file that lists each file contained in the dataset with associated metadata; (3) a data dictionary (v7_20260901_dd.csv) file that contains terms/column_headers used throughout the files along with a definition, units, and data type; (4) PDF and docx files for the determination of Method Detection Limits (MDLs) for TDN data, which has been updated in 2026-08; and (5) PDF and docx files for the detemination of Method Detection Limits (MDLs) for Ammonia and the Interferences by LACHAT Flow Injection Analysis. Missing values within the anion data files are noted as either "-9999" or "0.0" for not detectable (N.D.) data. There are a total of 105 locations containing TDN and Ammonia-N data. Update 2020-10-07: Updated the data files to remove times from the timestamps, so that only dates remain. The data values have not changed. Update 2021-04-11: Added Determination of Method Detection Limits (MDLs) for DIC, NPOC and TDN Analyses and Determination of Method Detection Limit for Ammonia and the Interferences by LACHAT Flow Injection Analysis documents, which can be accessed as PDFs or with Microsoft Word.Update on 6/10/2022: versioned updates to this dataset was made along with these changes: (1) updated total dissolved nitrogen and ammonia data for all locations up to 2021-12-31, (2) removal of units from column headers in datafiles, (3) added row underneath headers to contain units of variables, (4) restructure of units to comply with CSV reporting format requirements, (5) added -9999 for empty numerical cells, and (6) the addition of the file-level metadata (flmd.csv) and data dictionary (dd.csv) were added to comply with the File-Level Metadata Reporting Format. Update on 2022-09-09: Updates were made to reporting format specific files (file-level metadata and data dictionary) to correct swapped file names, add additional details on metadata descriptions on both files, add a header_row column to enable parsing, and add version number and date to file names (v2_20220909_flmd.csv and v2_20220909_dd.csv). Update on 2022-12-20: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. Units were listed incorrectly, but have been fixed to reflect correct units (ug/L). File level metadata (flmd) and data dictionary (dd) files were updated to reflect the updated versions of these files. Available data was added up until 2022-06-01. Update on 2023-08-08: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available anion data was added, up until 2023-01-05. The file level metadata and data dictionary files were updated to reflect the additional data added. Update on 2024-03-11: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available anion data was added, up until 2023-10-27. Further, revisions to the data files were made to remove incorrect data points (from 1970 and 2001). The reporting format specific files were updated to reflect the additional data added. Revised versions of the PDF and docx files for determination of MDLs for TDN were added to replace previous versions. Update on 2025-05-15: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available TDN and Ammonia-N data was added, up until the end of WY2024 (September 30, 2024). International Generic Sample Numbers (IGSNs), when registered, were added to the data files. The reporting format specific files were updated to reflect the additional data added. Update on 2026-09-01: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available TDN and Ammonia-N data was added, up until the end of WY2025 (September 30, 2025). Updated versions, as of 2026-08-10, of the PDF and docx files for determination of MDLs for TDN data were added to this dataset.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2016

Building on the Cornerstone: Destinations for Nearside Sample Return

Discoveries from LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) have transformed our knowledge of the Moon, but LRO's instruments were originally designed to collect the measurements required to enable future lunar surface exploration. Compelling science questions and critical resources make the Moon a key destination for future human and robotic exploration. Lunar surface exploration, including rovers and other landed missions, must be part of a balanced planetary science and exploration portfolio. Among the highest planetary exploration priorities is the collection of new samples and their return to Earth for more comprehensive analysis than can be done in-situ. The Moon is the closest and most accessible location to address key science questions through targeted sample return. The Moon is the only other planet from which we have contextualized samples, yet critical issues need to be addressed: we lack important details of the Moon's early and recent geologic history, the full compositional and age ranges of its crust, and its bulk composition.

Lawrence, S. J.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Data for Rod et al., "Alternating salt and freshwater floods of coastal soils impact soil structure, hydraulic properties, and oxygen dynamics"

This dataset includes laboratory experiment data on soil structure, hydraulic properties, and oxygen dynamics associated with Rod et al. 2026 https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.70073. There are six data files from a lab-based flood simulation of either freshwater (FW) or alternating brackish saltwater (SW) and FW using soil cores from a coastal forest at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. For soil information please see the Location section of the metadata. Files include: CO2, surface chemistry, water retention, dissolved oxygen, and soil specific surface area. Each file is in CSV format and can be opened/read with any plain text tabular file reader (Microsoft Excel, R, etc.). Purpose of Experiment: To investigate how hydrologic intensification affects soil structure and oxygen dynamics, we conducted a series of laboratory-based flood simulations. After three SW-FW floods (6 floods total) there were significant changes in pore size distribution, significant redistribution of colloids, and the A-horizon became sodic. We concluded that a small number of SW flooding events can induce a measurable change in soil physical properties that directly impacts the biogeochemical dynamics.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Redox Potential of Intermittently Wet Soil, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, Huron, OH, 2023-05-10 to 2023-12-15

This dataset contains collected reduction-oxidation (redox) potential measurements of the underlying soil at various depths within a wetland, referred to as The Cove, at Old Woman Creek Estuarine Research Reserve in Huron, OH. Redox potential was measured in the sediments of a coastal wetland to assess how redox potential varies over time with changes in hydrological events. Measurements were collected by Campbell Scientific CR1000X dataloggers paired with a PaleoTerra redox probe and reference electrodes. Measurements were collected at 3 different locations within The Cove at multiple depths into the underlying soil of the wetland and were collected every 10 minutes. The Redox_Datafile.csv contains the recorded measurements of the redox probes, and the RefElecDataFile.csv contains the background-noise measurements collected by the reference electrodes. Redox_InstallMethods describes the installation methods of the datalogger and associated probes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Stream Chemistry, Synoptic Surveys, East Fork Poplar Creek Watershed, TN, USA; April 2023 to February 2025

Impacts of developed land cover on stream chemistry can be difficult to discern from natural variability, particularly in carbonate watersheds where weathering of urban infrastructure and lithology generate similar signatures. We evaluated how spatial patterns of stream chemistry varied across perennial and non-perennial tributaries spanning an urban-to-forested gradient in a mid-order, carbonate-dominated watershed. This data package contains a processed and compiled summary of stream chemistry and properties obtained from 12 synoptic surveys of 54 stream sites across the East Fork Poplar Creek watershed located near Oak Ridge, TN, United States. The sites include non-perennial tributaries, perennial tributaries, and the main stem and span forested to urban (highly developed) land cover gradients. The data package includes the processed and flagged chemical data (WaDE_SynopticSummary_FinalChemistry), metadata describing data flagging and analysis (WaDE_SynopticSummary_Metadata), information about each site and its contributing subcatchment (WaDE_SynopticSummary_SiteInformation), and a comparison of instrument and field detection limits used to determine method detection limits for the study (WaDE_SynopticSummary_DetectionLimitComparison). Stream chemistry includes stream parameters measured in situ using multiparameter probes (dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, temperature) and solutes including nutrients (nitrate, ammonium, soluble reactive phosphorus), dissolved organic carbon, dissolved inorganic carbon, major cations (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium), major anions (chloride, sulfate), and a broad suite of minor and trace elements.

EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > SURFACE ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Vegetation classification map and covariates associated with NEON AOP survey, East River, CO 2018

This package includes geospatial data layers developed to investigate how environmental gradients—specifically topography and near-surface soil properties—drive the spatial arrangement of dominant plant communities in mountainous watersheds. The geospatial products, which support the analysis of these ecological relationships, are derived from airborne hyperspectral and LiDAR datasets acquired by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Airborne Observation Platform (AOP), in conjunction with an extensive ground field campaign conducted in summer 2018. This work is part of the DOE Watershed Function Science Focus Area (SFA) and features geospatial datasets developed based on observations and ground data collected at East River, Colorado, in collaboration with the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Airborne Observation Platform (AOP) survey in June 2018. Classification Map: - Classification Map (PNG, GeoTIFF): Derived from hyperspectral and LiDAR airborne data using a machine learning approach. - Class Code Mapper (CSV): Associates pixel values with corresponding vegetation/non-vegetation classes. - Classification Reference Data (CSV): Reference data used in the machine learning procedure. LiDAR-Derived Products: - Topographical Metrics (GeoTIFFs): Elevation, slope, curvature, TWI, TPI, solar insolation, and canopy height model (CHM), smoothed with a 5x5 pixel window. Vegetation Indices: - GeoTIFFs of NDVI, NDNI, NDWI: Vegetation indices derived from hyperspectral data. Urban Masks: - Urban Mask (GeoTIFF): Applied to the mapping to convert bare soil classes to urban classes. Software Compatibility: GeoTIFFs: Can be visualized with GIS software or libraries that support GeoTIFF images. CSV Files: Can be opened with any software that handles comma-separated values. The FLMD file provides details and links to the source datasets used to derive the products. The manuscript (in the Method session) provides details on how each product was derived. This work was supported by the Watershed Function Science Focus Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231. Update on 2026-03-25: Since the original dataset publication date of 02/28/2020, this package has a new classification map derived by an improved methodology. This update also includes additional ground data that improved the representation of some of the communities. See the methods for further details on what has changed between versions.

2018 NEON and 2025 CHESS Campaigns↗
DOE OSTI2025

Processed Soil Respiration at the TRACE experimental Warming project, Aug 2015 - Sep 2017, Sabana, Luquillo, Puerto Rico

This data package contains processed measurements of soil carbon dioxide (CO₂) efflux collected using LI-COR LI-8100 soil respiration chambers at the Tropical Responses to Altered Climate Experiment (TRACE) located at the Sabana Field Research Station near Luquillo, Puerto Rico. The TRACE site is a mature, closed-canopy tropical wet forest within the Luquillo Experimental Forest. These data quantify soil surface CO₂ fluxes from both ambient (control) and experimentally warmed plots to evaluate how long-term soil warming affects belowground carbon cycling in tropical ecosystems. The data files include time-series tables of CO₂ flux (µmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹), soil temperature (°C), and ancillary environmental variables, stored in comma-separated values (CSV) format and viewable with any text editor, spreadsheet, or statistical software (e.g., R, Python, Excel). Associated metadata describe plot identifiers, measurement intervals, and processing steps. These data were generated to address the research question: How does sustained soil warming influence soil respiration and carbon flux dynamics in tropical wet forests?

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multiple RGB ortho-mosaics and digital surface models in 2017 and 2018 across the Lower Montane site in the East River Watershed, Colorado

Aerial imagery was collected at the Lower Montane site (Pumphouse) in the East River Watershed, Colorado during the spring, summer, and fall seasons of 2017 and 2018 to improve the understanding of seasonal vegetation dynamics and their drivers. The datasets include Red-Green-Blue (RGB) ortho-mosaics and digital surface models (DSMs) inferred from the Unoccupied Aerial System (UAS) acquired aerial RGB imagery for June 3, June 19, July 7, and August 14, 2017, and for March 14, April 26, June 1, June 18, July 6, and August 7, 2018. Real-Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS) surveyed Ground control points (GCPs) were used to increase the reconstruction accuracy. The reconstructed RGB mosaics and DSMs have been trimmed to cover a similar spatial domain. The accuracy of the RGB mosaics is considered high (~10 cm). DSM accuracy is highest (~10 cm) where sufficient GCPS are available, and more difficult to assess elsewhere (see reconstruction reports for uncertainty estimates). The dataset includes a total of 20 GeoTIFF (.tif) files, 10 PDF (.pdf) files, 3 data CSV (.csv) files, and 2 metadata CSV (.csv) files. Feel free to contact the authors with any questions or collaboration interests.This work was supported by the Watershed Function Science Focus Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Aerial and Processed Model Data Representing As-built Conditions in Coastal Port Arthur, Texas in May 2025

This dataset was collected by the Co-Design Team of the Southeast Texas Urban Integrated Field Lab, a research initiative led by the University of Texas at Austin and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The broader project focuses on developing climate-resilient design solutions for the Beaumont–Port Arthur region, with more information available at www.setx-uifl.org. Our team conducted aerial surveys of the Port Arthur coastal neighborhood in May 2025, before the start of construction scheduled for Summer 2026. These pre-construction datasets are designed to facilitate comparative analyses, including pre- and post-construction assessments and simulated inundation scenario evaluations. Aerial images were captured using DroneDeploy autonomous flight systems, with imagery processed through the DroneDeploy engine. All original aerial photographs are provided in JPG format and organized in zipped folders by area. The processed data package includes: 3D surface models Orthomosaics Geospatial and topographic mappings Point clouds For guidance on file contents, structure, and recommended usage, please refer to the included README file.

2D mapping↗
DOE OSTI2024

Monitoring of ground water table depth and soil moisture at the Point Reyes field site

Ground water table (GWT) depth and soil moisture (SM) have been monitored at several locations at the Point Reyes field site (Californian coastal grassland) from 2021 to 2024. Monitoring is still on-going and data may be added to this archive at later time. The SM data have been acquired using Teros 12 Meter soil moisture sensors placed at 10, 30, 60 and 90 cm depth at 5 locations along a small hillslope. These sensors also collect soil temperature and bulk conductance. In addition, some collocated sensors provide pore pressure and Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI). The GWT depth has been inferred from various type of Onset pressure transducers. The pressure measurements have been corrected for atmospheric pressure variations and sensor position relative to the ground surface to infer GWT depth, as well as with RTK GPS data to infer GWT elevation. The GWT data have been acquired at 5 distinct locations from 2020 to 2024 with the sensors placed at about 4 m depth. In addition, GWT data has been acquired for the 2023-2024 period with sensors located in 1 m deep shallow wells installed near each deeper well. This data is intended to evaluate possibly different dynamic in shallow (perched) and deep aquifer. The datasets are all provided in csv format. Please note that the interpretation of the GWT data needs to be done with consideration of environmental and well characteristics at the site and uncertainty in various variables. For more information on GWT and SM data, please contact the author.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1999

DS-2 Mars Microprobe Battery

In January of 1999 the NM DS-2 Mars microprobe will be launched to impact on Mars in December. The technical objectives of the missions are to demonstrate: key technologies, a passive atmospheric entry, highly integrated microelectronics which can withstand both low temperatures and high decelerations, and the capability to conduct in-situ, surface and subsurface science data acquisition. The scientific objectives are to determine if ice is present below the Martian surface, measure the local atmospheric pressure, characterize the thermal properties of the martian subsurface soil, and to estimate the vertical temperature gradient of the Martian soil. The battery requirements are 2-4 cell batteries, with voltage of 6-14 volts, capacity of 550 mAh at 80C, and 2Ah at 25C, shelf life of 2.5 years, an operating temperature of 60C and below, and the ability to withstand shock impact of 80,000 g's. The technical challenges and the approach is reviewed. The Li-SOCL2 system is reviewed, and graphs showing the current and voltage is displayed, along with the voltage over discharge time. The problems encountered during the testing were: (1) impact sensitivity, (2) cracking of the seals, and (3) delay in voltage. A new design resulted in no problems in the impact testing phase. The corrective actions for the seal problems involved: (1) pre weld fill tube, (2) an improved heat sink during case to cover weld and (3) change the seal dimensions to reduce stress. To correct the voltage delay problem the solutions involved: (1) drying the electrodes to reduce contamination by water, (2) assemblage of the cells within a week of electrode manufacture, (3) ensure electrolyte purity, and (4) provide second depassivation pulse after landing. The conclusions on further testing were that the battery can: (1) withstand anticipated shock of up to 80,000 g, (2) meet the discharge profile post shock at Mars temperatures, (3) meet the required self discharge rate and (4) meet environmental requirements.

Frank, H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Low cost manned Mars mission based on indigenous propellant production

The paper describes a low-cost approach to the manned exploration of Mars (which involves an unmanned mission followed two years later by a manned mission) based on near-term technologies and in situ propellant production. Particular attention is given to the basic mission architecture and its major components, including the orbital analysis, the unmanned segment, the Earth Return Vehicle, the aerobrake design, life sciences, guidance, communications, power, propellant production, the surface rovers, and Mars science. Also discussed are the cost per mission over an assumed 8-yr initiative.

Bruckner, A. P.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Porewater and Surface Water Chemistry of Wetland, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, Huron, OH, 2022-07-06 to 2023-12-15

This dataset contains the chemistry data of surface water and porewater samples collected from a wetland, referred to as The Cove, at Old Woman Creek Estuarine Research Reserve in Huron, OH. Surface and pore water samples were taken to analyze what nutrient and/or metal constituents were present at different depths in the wetland at different times and to compare to redox potential values. Porewater was collected by constructed sippers and deployed into the underlying soil of the wetland, and they were samples approximately every 2 weeks (when groundwater was present) in 2023. Surface water was collected approximately 1 inch below the surface of the water column (if available) via a syringe. Unfiltered and 0.45 micron filtered samples were collected. Samples were analyzed for various chemistry and is reported in the SWChem (surface water chemistry) and PWChem (porewater chemistry) .csv datafiles. Collection information about the samples can be found within the PWChem_SWChem_SampleMetdata.csv file. All files associated with this dataset are listed in the PWChem_SWChem_FLMD.csv file.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2016

Manufactured Porous Ambient Surface Simulants

The planetary science decadal survey for 2013-2022 (Vision and Voyages, NRC 2011) has promoted mission concepts for sample acquisition from small solar system bodies. Numerous comet-sampling tools are in development to meet this standard. Manufactured Porous Ambient Surface Simulants (MPASS) materials provide an opportunity to simulate variable features at ambient temperatures and pressures to appropriately test potential sample acquisition systems for comets, asteroids, and planetary surfaces. The original "flavor" of MPASS materials is known as Manufactured Porous Ambient Comet Simulants (MPACS), which was developed in parallel with the development of the Biblade Comet Sampling System (Backes et al., in review). The current suite of MPACS materials was developed through research of the physical and mechanical properties of comets from past comet missions results and modeling efforts, coordination with the science community at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and testing of a wide range of materials and formulations. These simulants were required to represent the physical and mechanical properties of cometary nuclei, based on the current understanding of the science community. Working with cryogenic simulants can be tedious and costly; thus MPACS is a suite of ambient simulants that yields a brittle failure mode similar to that of cryogenic icy materials. Here we describe our suite of comet simulants known as MPACS that will be used to test and validate the Biblade Comet Sampling System (Backes et al., in review).

Carey, Elizabeth M.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Smart Cameras for Remote Science Survey

Communication with remote exploration spacecraft is often intermittent and bandwidth is highly constrained. Future missions could use onboard science data understanding to prioritize downlink of critical features [1], draft summary maps of visited terrain [2], or identify targets of opportunity for followup measurements [3]. We describe a generic approach to classify geologic surfaces for autonomous science operations, suitable for parallelized implementations in FPGA hardware. We map these surfaces with texture channels - distinctive numerical signatures that differentiate properties such as roughness, pavement coatings, regolith characteristics, sedimentary fabrics and differential outcrop weathering. This work describes our basic image analysis approach and reports an initial performance evaluation using surface images from the Mars Exploration Rovers. Future work will incorporate these methods into camera hardware for real-time processing.

robotics↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Replication of Segments of STS-94 as a Lunar Surface Mission

The Artemis exploration plan will progress from initial Commercial Lunar Payloads Services (CLPS) landers to human landings to an established surface infrastructure supporting four crew for surface missions of a month or greater. NASA teams are currently working with partners to define the surface assets that will comprise this infrastructure, including habitation and laboratory facilities. However, design engineers often have limited insight into the laboratory capabilities needed inside a pressurized habitat or the demands such a facility will place upon crew availability. The Space Shuttle STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) mission is used as an intravehicular activity science analog for the Surface Habitat. The STS-94 primary physical science instruments and crew activity in support of physical science investigations will be examined. Based on recent reference concepts for the Surface Habitat, options for incorporating the instruments and options for dividing physical science tasks among the Surface Habitat crew are discussed, based on STS94 crew tasks and assumptions for Surface Habitat operations. Crew size considerations are raised along with recommendations to reassess some of the current assumptions. Having shown that STS-94’s physical science investigations can be applied to a lunar surface mission, recommendations are made for increased attention to pressurized laboratory objectives, capabilities, and crew size.

Surface Habitat↗
NASA NTRS2003

Europa Science Platforms and Kinetic Energy Probes

This presentation will outline a proposed mission for the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO). The mission outlined will concentrate on an examination of Europa. Some of the primary science goals for the JIMO mission are: 1) to answer broad science questions, 2) improved knowledge of Jovian system; specifically, lunar geological and geophysical properties, 3) chemical composition of Jovian lunar surfaces and subterranean matter, and 4) the search for life. In order to address these issues, the experiment proposed here will deploy orbiting, surface, and subterranean science platforms.

Hays, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Moon to Mars (M2M) Habitation Considerations: A Snap Shot As of January 2022

The following NASA Technical Memorandum (TM) is intended to provide a snapshot in time of NASA’s current considerations (ground rules and assumptions, functional allocations, logistics) for habitation systems for the lunar surface (non-roving) and Mars transits. As NASA continues to refine the reference designs to meet the needs of an evolving architecture, it is expected that this information will also be updated as a result. Where appropriate, relevant publicly released documents will be referenced to provide further detail. NASA’s human lunar exploration plan under the Artemis program calls for achieving the goal of sending the first woman and first person of color to the surface of the Moon in the mid- 2020s and working toward sustainable exploration by the end of the decade. Working with both commercial and international partners, NASA will establish a permanent human presence on the Moon to uncover new scientific discoveries and lay the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy. Longer duration missions on the lunar surface and in lunar orbit will also serve as a test bed for technologies to support future Mars exploration campaigns. The agency will use what we learn on the Moon to prepare for humanity's next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars. NASA intends to establish a sustained lunar presence with the development of the Artemis Base Camp to prove technologies and capabilities that will one day enable humans to live and work on Mars, beginning with core elements including the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), the Pressurized Rover (PR), the lunar Surface Habitat (SH), power systems, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) systems. For in space operations and eventual transport of humans to Mars, NASA will utilize a Mars Transit Habitat (TH). Following deployment, the TH will complete a series of longer duration missions and shakedown testing while docked at Gateway, leveraging Gateway’s habitation redundancy for safety measures. Proposed Gateway-TH missions will far exceed the longest duration cislunar human missions to date. They will be the first operational readiness tests of our long-duration deep space systems, and of the split crew (two crew on the surface, two crew in space) operations that are vital to the approach for the first human Mars mission. Both the SH and TH are major architectural elements of NASA’s Moon to Mars (M2M) approach, each with very different concepts of operation. The SH is intended for use on the lunar surface as a home for astronauts, surface operations base, science facility, hub for communications, extravehicular activity (EVA) equipment repair site, waste processing facility, and supply hub. It serves as an enabler for a sustained surface presence and preparation for partial gravity operations during Mars missions. The SH will be designed to be self-sufficient for operations on the lunar surface. The SH will independently provide several functions, including its own power generation, energy storage capability, sleep quarters, hygiene areas, work areas, and dining areas. It will be capable of communicating with surface assets, orbital assets, and directly with Earth ground stations. It is planned to operate with two crew in the habitat for ~28- day stays with crew swap-outs in which the PR crew of two trades places with the habitat crew. During the swap-out, the habitat will nominally support four crew for a short period of time. For contingency scenarios, the habitat must also be capable of supporting four crew for up to 7 days. The TH will be designed to be capable of up to ~1,200-day Mars missions with the ability to carry all food and supplies needed to support a crew of four for this duration. An assumed Mars mission profile for the TH is to carry crew and supplies for ~850-day roundtrips between Earth and Mars orbit that allows 30-day stays on the Martian surface. To test the systems for this long journey, the TH will be used to extend the duration of missions at Gateway, enabling the orbiting outpost to be used as a Mars analog. These analog missions will be accomplished by attaching the TH to Gateway and conducting lunar surface operations from the TH. The TH may also need to perform free-flying shakedown missions to test out all systems prior to leaving for Mars. The habitat provides many critical functions including: a contingency airlock, crew quarters, galley, hygiene areas, safe haven capability, and science equipment. It can receive docked items from either axial end or on a radial port.

Habitat↗