National Aeronautics and Space Administration

PLANS FOR HUMAN EXPLORATION BEYOND LOW EARTH ORBIT

Laurie Leshin, Deputy AA ESMD

March 30, 2011

Explore to Prosper

• Discover

–Address grand challenges about ourselves, our world, our cosmic surroundings

• Innovate

–Provide opportunities to develop new technologies, new jobs, and new markets

• Inspire

–Inspire students to explore, learn, contribute to our nation’s economic competitiveness, and build a better future

Near Earth Asteroids:

– Compelling science questions: How did the Solar System form? Where did Earth’s water and organics come from?

– Planetary defense: Understanding and mitigating the threat of impact

– Potential for valuable space resources

– Excellent stepping stone for Mars

A Bounty of Opportunity for Human Explorers

3

HEO/GEO/Lagrange Points:

– Microgravity destinations beyond LEO

– Opportunities for construction, fueling and repair of complex in-space systems

– Excellent locations for advanced space telescopes and Earth observers

Earth’s Moon:

– Witness to the birth of the Earth and inner planets

– Has critical resources to sustain humans

– Significant opportunities for commercial and international collaboration

Mars and its Moons:

– A premier destination for discovery: Is there life beyond Earth? How did Mars evolve?

– True possibility for extended, even permanent, stays

– Significant opportunities for international collaboration

– Technological driver for space systems

4

Mars

Destinations for Expansion of Humans Into the Solar System Enabled by FY 2012 Investments

Lunar Surface Missions “Into the Solar System”

Human Exploration of Interplanetary Space

Lunar Flyby & Orbit

GEO/HEO Missions

New LEO Missions

“Minimal” NEA Mission

Phobos/Deimos

Increments in technology, systems, flight elements development and operational experience

KeyCandidate Destination

“Full Capability” NEA

“Gaining the High Ground”

Human Access to Cis-Lunar Space

“Exploring Other Worlds”

Access to Low-Gravity Bodies

“Planetary Exploration”

Access to Planetary Surfaces

The President’s Budget Request and Authorization Act of 2010 Align with Capability-Driven Framework Needs

• In Low Earth Orbit:– ISS being utilized for critical exploration research and

demonstrations– Cargo and crew access to ISS being developed through

innovative partnerships with private sector

• SLS and MPCV are initial essential capabilities required for NASA and the U.S. to lead exploration beyond LEO – These vehicles provide capabilities needed for

exploration of many destinations, including cis-lunar space, the moon, asteroids and Mars and its environs

• Required research, technologies and capabilities development beyond SLS and MPCV are supported in ESMD and OCT– Exploration of more complex destinations will be enabled

as key capabilities are developed over time

5

Capability-Enabled Framework

Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle/Space Launch System

Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

Advanced Spacewalking Capability

Long Duration Habitat/Advanced Life Support

Space Exploration Vehicle

Advanced In-Space Propulsion

Surface Capabilities 6

Orb

it M

issio

n Lu

nar

Orb

it/Vici

nity

Min

imum

Nea

r-Ear

th

Aster

oids

Fu

ll Cap

abilit

y

Near-E

arth

Ast

eroi

d

Lun

ar O

rbit/

Vicini

ty

Min

imum

Nea

r-Ear

th

Aster

oid

Full C

apab

ility

Near-E

arth

Ast

eroi

d

Geo

sync

hron

ous/

High-

Earth

Orb

it

Luna

r Sur

face

Mar

s M

oons

M

ars

Surfa

ce

NASA will open the inner solar system to human explorers via investments in capabilities that will enable more complex missions over time

Cap

abil

ity

Destin

atio

ns

 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Opening the Solar System: A Sustainable Future for Human Explorers

If Star Trek can reimagine itself…

…why not NASA?

Advanced Propulsion Needed

Long Duration Habitation Needed

Mars Elements

High Thrust in-Space Propulsion Needed

Expansion of Human Exploration Capabilities

10

Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV)

Dis

tanc

e

Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP)

5: Enable Deep Space Missions

Lunar Lander & GPOD

Deep Space Habitat (DSH)

4: Enable Long Duration Missions

3: Enable Lunar Surface Missions

GEO/HEO Missions

Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (CPS)32A

32B

2: Enable Missions Beyond LEORobotics & EVA Module (REM)

DRM

1: Enable New LEO Missions

Crew EVA Suit Block 1

Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV)

Space Launch System - HLLV

Mission Duration

Key

Element Capability

Candidate Destination

Capability Gates

Ultimate Destination GoalDRM

Surface Capabilities Needed

6: Enable Mars Missions

Crew EVA Suit Block 2