A Synergistic Strategy for Robotic and Human NEO Exploration Tom Jones Florida Institute for Human &...
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Transcript of A Synergistic Strategy for Robotic and Human NEO Exploration Tom Jones Florida Institute for Human &...
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A Synergistic Strategy for Robotic and Human NEO Exploration
Tom JonesFlorida Institute for
Human & Machine Cognition
IPEWG 201124 Aug 11
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Synergistic NEO Strategy
Setting the Stage• NASA Human Spaceflight Policy is “Flexible”– End of space shuttle program– Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle– Space Launch System– Flat budgets from White House– Budget cutting threat– No clear path toward stated 2025 Human NEO
Expedition
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Synergistic NEO StrategyImportance of NEO Search Program• NASA Advisory Council’s Ad Hoc Task Force on
Planetary Defense (Oct 2010)– http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/490945main_10-10_TFPD.pdf
• Target NEO workshop conclusion:– “comprehensive NEO survey should be NASA
priority” -- http://targetneo.org– At least as important as MPCV and SLS vehicles
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Synergistic NEO StrategyImportance of NEO Search Program (cont’d)• Catalog of hazardous NEOs– Early detection time for planning deflection– Cues ground-based systems for precise orbit
determination, characterization– Rapid revisit of detected NEOs orbit precision
• Identify human mission targets– Low delta-V– Minimum mission duration– Program flexibility for launch windows
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Synergistic NEO Strategy
Synergies• NEO activity is “3-D”: exploration, science, planetary
defense (PD)
• Minor incremental cost to “other” NEO missions can yield large increase in exploration, PD knowledge
• Time is a 4th, powerful dimension of synergy• Early integration of exploration & PD into NEO missions drives
maturity of ops techniques, technology • Can reduce need for, and cost of, duplicate flight missions
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Synergistic NEO StrategyExamples: Science, Exploration, Planetary Defense
• Low-g, irregular-g proximity operations algorithms
• Descent, ascent sensors, guidance
• NEO interior structure, physical and mechanical properties, surface material stability
• Anchoring technologies
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Synergistic NEO Strategy
Synergies (cont’d)
• Budget projections are not rosy
• Integrating PD, science, and human exploration
objectives increases overall knowledge return• Raises value of mission
• Meets needs of managers, policy makers, scientists,
public
• Each mission adds momentum toward human NEO
exploration
• 2010 Discovery AO noted value of science, exploration, PD
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Synergistic NEO Strategy
Sequence of NEO Exploration Milestones1. Space-based NEO search
– NEOSSat, NEOCam, NEO Survey, etc.
2. Series of small rendezvous spacecraft to visit spectrum of NEO types, compositions– Hayabusa II, OSIRIS-REx, etc.– New line of affordable micro-spacecraft– Characterize range of terrains, materials for astronauts
3. Robotic exploration of Moon in parallel4. Astronauts to lunar orbit, EM-L1 for deep space testing 5. Limited series of astronaut NEO expeditions in 2020s6. Lunar option if resources demand human access
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Synergistic NEO StrategyRobotic precursors enable human explorers at NEO• Need early, space-based search to provide program
flexibility (launch windows, lower Δ-V, flight duration)• Scouting a NEO target in advance enables:
• Sampling site selection• Resource extraction processes• Surface mechanical properties• Arrival, departure imagery; deflection demo monitor• Operations planning (filling in the crew’s checklists)
– Tools, Science, Rendezvous, Descent, EVA, etc.
• Assessment and reduction of the biggest risks
Synergistic NEO StrategyConclusions• Astronaut expeditions to NEOs will occur for reasons “in addition
to” scientific investigation• Can expect important results in:
– Science– Planetary defense– Resource potential for future exploration, wealth– Mars-forward experience and momentum– Participatory exploration by public
• Much leverage to be gained by early NEO search, robotic precursor program
• Clear potential for international collaboration in a synergistic program of robotic & human NEO exploration
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Synergistic NEO Strategy