Recommendation to Cease NASA Crew Return Vehicle Development

April 29, 2004

Amanda KellyBlake Hajovsky Anthony Pittman

Engineering Technical Communications Presentation

Overview

• Motivation for a CRV• Feasibility Studies for Crew Escape• Past and Present NASA CRV Development• Underlying Ethics• Recommendation • Summary

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary

Motivation for a CRV

• Station Mishaps:– Fire– Computer Malfunctions– Life Support Systems Failures– Spacecraft Collisions

• Space Debris Collisions• Medical Emergencies

To provide a means for escape for 7 crew members in the event of:

Photograph Courtesy of NASA

Blake

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary

• Fire– Location and magnitude

• Computer Malfunctions– Loss of gyroscopes

• Life Support Systems Failures– Oxygen generator failure

• Spacecraft Collisions– Progress supply vehicle collision

Feasibility Studies for Crew EscapeStation Mishaps

Blake

Feasibility Studies for Crew Escape Space Debris Collisions

• Impact on External Pressurized Tanks:– Immediate detonation of the

gas within the tank– Tank thrust

– Tank rupture

• Direct impact of station module:– Depressurizing leak– Risk hypoxia

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary

Photograph Courtesy of NASA

Blake

Feasibility Studies for Crew Escape Medical Emergencies

• In space:– Heart conditions

– Other life-threatening conditions

• Problems in Antarctica– Detection of cancer– Pancreatitis

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary

Blake

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary

Past NASA CRV ProgramsX-38 Vehicle Concept

• Organization:– Developed by NASA and Dryden in

1995• X-38 Vehicle Concept:

– Based on existing technologies– Carried to orbit by Shuttle– Lifting Body

• NASA Investment:– 7 years of engineering work– Over 1 Billion Dollars

• Program Progress:– Final Stages of Development

Photograph courtesy of NASA

Amanda

Past NASA CRV ProgramsModified Vision for CRV

• Vehicle design specifications to meet multi-purpose objectives– Independent of Shuttle– Crew rescue and crew transfer capabilities– Increased launch probability– Increased on-orbit maneuverability– Limited cargo-carrying capability

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Amanda

Past NASA CRV ProgramsOrbital Space Plane (OSP) Vehicle Concept

• Organization:– Industry Contract Competition

began in 2003• OSP Vehicle Concept:

– Undecided • Capsule• Lifting body• Winged body

• NASA Investment:– 1 year of engineering work– Over 1 Billion Dollars

• Program Progress:– Preliminary Design

Photograph Courtesy of Boeing

Photograph Courtesy of Boeing

Photograph Courtesy of Boeing

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Amanda

Present CRV DevelopmentCrew Exploration Vehicle

• Vehicle design specifications– Explore beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Moon and Mars– Transporting crew to ISS after Shuttle is retired

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Amanda

Ethics for a Rescue Vehicle

• Safety requirements Today– Transportation

– Military Mission

• Crew sense of safety

• Influence of Public Opinion

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Anthony

Photo courtesy of eFluids

Ethics for a Rescue VehicleSuccessful Rescues Factors

• Importance for recovery– Crew– Spacecrafts

• Success depends on:– Extent of Emergency– Time to Implement– Working Environment

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Anthony

Ethics for a Rescue VehicleReality of Space Rescue

• Crew Understands Danger• Percentage of Success

– Harsh Space Environment – Types of emergencies

• Cost vs. Benefit

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary

Anthony

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary

Recommendation

• Cease NASA CRV Development– Escape in most situations is not always

feasible or necessary– Over 2 billion dollars invested into canceled

programs– New NASA focus on Mars and Moon– Crew understands inherent risks– Soyuz vehicle can be used as CRV

Anthony

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary

• Motivation for a CRV• Feasibility Studies for Crew Escape• Past and Present NASA CRV Development• Underlying Ethics• Recommendation • Summary

Summary

Blake