{"id":38833,"date":"2017-04-06T17:03:02","date_gmt":"2017-04-06T09:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/nasa-finally-sets-goals-missions-for-sls-eyes-multi-step-plan-to-mars\/"},"modified":"2017-04-06T17:03:02","modified_gmt":"2017-04-06T09:03:02","slug":"nasa-finally-sets-goals-missions-for-sls-eyes-multi-step-plan-to-mars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/nasa-finally-sets-goals-missions-for-sls-eyes-multi-step-plan-to-mars\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA finally sets goals, missions for SLS \u2013 eyes multi-step plan to Mars"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/b>After years without concrete missions beyond the current EM-2 test flight, NASA has finally unveiled a plan for multiple missions of its SLS rocket.  The plan would see NASA initiate a multi-step approach to human exploration in cislunar space while simultaneously developing the architecture to enable human missions to Mars \u2013 all of which is dependant on funding from the U.S. Congress, which is currently seeking deep cuts to U.S. government spending.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017:<\/b><\/p>\n

As part of the agency\u2019s standard updates to the NASA Advisory Council (NAC), Bill Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for NASA\u2019s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD), has presented the NAC with the agency\u2019s Deep Space Gateway and Transport Plan.<\/p>\n

\"\"According to the accompanying HEOMD presentation, the Deep Space Gateway and Transport Plan\u2019s goal is to \u201clead an effort that expands human presence deeper into the solar system through a sustainable human and robotic spaceflight program.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Mr. Gerstenmaier stated, \u201cthe good news here is that this is really unchanged from where we\u2019ve been.  This is consistent from the past administration and is consistent for the current administration.\u201d <\/p>\n

Now, however, the Deep Space Gateway and Transport plan relates directly to the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017. <\/p>\n

Under the authorization act, NASA\u2019s long term goals are: \u201c(1) to expand permanent human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and to do so, where practical, in a manner involving international, academic, and industry partners;<\/p>\n

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n

\u201c(2) crewed missions and progress toward achieving the goal in [paragraph one] to enable the potential for subsequent human exploration and the extension of human presence throughout the solar system; and <\/p>\n

\u201c(3) to enable a capability to extend human presence, including potential human habitation on another celestial body and a thriving space economy in the 21st Century.\u201d<\/p>\n

Deep Space Gateway and Transport Plan:<\/b><\/p>\n

To fulfill the goals set forth in the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017, the HEOMD is operating on a refined five phase plan stretching from \u201cnow\u201d to the \u201c2030s\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\"The first phase, Phase 0, involves the current utilization of the International Space Station. <\/p>\n

According to the HEOMD presentation to NAC, Phase 0 will \u201cSolve exploration mission challenges through research and systems testing on the ISS.\u201d<\/p>\n

Phase 0 will also help NASA \u201cUnderstand if and when lunar resources are available.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the lunar resources aspect, Mr. Gerstenmaier stated to the NAC, \u201cWe\u2019ve talked about Lunar Resource Prospector.  We\u2019ve talked about some way of going to the surface of the moon in the regions that are potentially volatile rich.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we really want a mission that can go to the surface of the moon, characterize the volatiles that are there, at what quantities they\u2019re there.  I think we\u2019ve done about all we can from orbit \u2026 and I think to really understand if they\u2019re usable and if they fit into some other architecture, we need to really go down to the surface to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Following Phase 0, Phase 1 in the 2020s will see NASA undertake missions to cislunar space for construction efforts of the agency\u2019s new Deep Space Gateway (DSG).<\/p>\n

Phase 2 will see construction of the Deep Space Transport (DST) and its subsequent shakedown and verification.<\/p>\n

In the 2030s, Phases 3 and 4 \u2013 which the HEOMD presentation does not distinguish between \u2013 will see the DST utilized for \u201cmissions to the Mars system, the surface of Mars.\u201d<\/p>\n

Presumably, the \u201cMars system\u201d language refers to previously notional missions to one of Mars\u2019 two moons \u2013 Phobos or Deimos \u2013 before committing to human landings on the surface of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n

Of the five phase approach, the HEOMD presentation to the NAC went into specific detail about Phases 1 and 2 of the plan.<\/p>\n

Phase 1<\/b>:<\/p>\n

According to the HEOMD presentation, the DSG \u201cprovides ability to support multiple NASA, U.S. commercial, and international partner objectives in Phase 1 and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Specifically, the DSG will be designed for deep space environments to support a \u201ccrew of 4 for total missions up to 42 days\u201d as long as Orion is docked to the DSG.<\/p>\n

Moreover, according to Mr. Gerstenmaier, \u201cThe purpose of this Deep Space Gateway is that it can support activities towards the surface of the moon.  It could be a transportation node to the surface of the moon.  It can also be maneuvered into a high elliptical lunar orbit, a rectilinear orbit around the moon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can essentially be a staging point to go beyond the Earth-Moon system.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Gerstenmaier also specifically noted that the DSG is a \u201cpiece of hardware that stays in space for multiple decades.\u201d<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n
    \n
  • SLS Forum Section<\/li>\n
  • L2 SLS Section<\/li>\n
  • Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Under the Phase 1 plan, NASA would utilize its SLS rocket for four dedicated DSG construction missions.<\/p>\n

    Notably, this provides the first concrete representation of SLS\u2019s potential missions beyond the currently planned EM-2 flight.<\/p>\n

    Overall, though, the Phase 1 plan includes six SLS flights.<\/p>\n

    The first SLS mission, EM-1, according to the HEOMD 28 March 2017 presentation, shows an uncrewed EM-1 mission launching on an SLS Block 1 vehicle in 2018. <\/p>\n

    \"\"This EM-1 mission would be a 26-40 day mission to a Distant Retrograde Orbit around the moon.<\/p>\n

    Interestingly, this is a significantly longer EM-1 mission than previously discussed by NASA \u2013 which had until now showed EM-1 as a No Longer Than three week flight.<\/p>\n

    Importantly, this description of an uncrewed EM-1 flight should not be read as any indication from NASA that their study into flying EM-1 as a crewed flight is off the table.<\/p>\n

    Bill Gerstenmaier noted specifically to the NAC that NASA\u2019s teams are still investigating a crewed EM-1 flight and that no decision had been reached at this point.<\/p>\n

    EM-1, under the Phase 1 plan, would then be followed in the 2022-ish timeframe by the first flight of the SLS 1B Cargo vehicle.<\/p>\n

    \"\"This flight would be used to launch NASA\u2019s Europa Clipper mission on a direct trajectory flight to Jupiter.<\/p>\n

    This would afford NASA the opportunity to both demonstrate the SLS\u2019s cargo launch ability for outer solar system robotic exploration missions and to verify the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) in flight prior to flying a crewed mission using the EUS.<\/p>\n

    Curiously, the HEOMD presentation lists the Europa Clipper launch on SLS as \u201csubject to approval\u201d, and Mr. Gerstenmaier talked somewhat extensively about the other launch option available.<\/p>\n

    This is highly suspect given Congress\u2019 mandate via legislation (essentially, Congress has made it the law) that Europa Clipper\u2019s launch be on an SLS rocket.<\/p>\n

    \"\"Regardless, after the SLS Europa Clipper mission in 2022, the next four years would see one SLS crewed flight per year.<\/p>\n

    The first, called EM-2 in the plan (a viewpoint into how the new SLS manifest will shake out in terms of what EM-2 might now look like), will see SLS and a four person crew launch on an 8-21 day \u201cMulti-TLI Lunar Free Return\u201d mission to deliver the first element of the DSG to cis-lunar space.<\/p>\n

    The DSG component is slated to be the 8-9 metric tonne (mT) Power and Propulsion Bus \u2013 of the same design as the one that would have been used on the now-defunct Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission \u2013 capable of generating 40 kW of power.<\/p>\n

    \"\"The Power and Propulsion Bus will also have 12kW thrusters for maneuverability and will also have chemical propulsion capability as well, noted Mr. Gerstenmaier.<\/p>\n

    Importantly, Mr. Gerstenmaier noted that Orion and the 4-person crew of EM-2 would not dock to this power bus.<\/p>\n

    This EM-2 mission would be followed in 2024 by EM-3 \u2013 a 4 person flight to deliver the \u226410 mT Habitation module to the DSG \u2013 which at this point would have maneuvered into a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO).<\/p>\n

    EM-3 would last between 16 and 26 days and would be the first flight capable of performing scientific objectives on the DSG.<\/p>\n

    \"\"This mission would be followed by a commercially-contracted Cislunar Support Flight (CSF).<\/p>\n

    \u201c[The Deep Space Gateway] doesn\u2019t preclude the commercial industries or using their vehicles to take significant logistics to this gateway,\u201d noted Mr. Gerstenmaier.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThis is a demonstrable, objective way to build the skills \u2026 as directed by the Authorization Act.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The EM-4 mission would then follow in 2025 with a 4 person crew to add a \u226410mT Logistic module (which will include a Canadian-built robotic arm) to the DSG.<\/p>\n

    \"\"At this point, the DSG could support a 4-person crew for up to 42 days and would have the ability to \u201ctranslate to\/from other cislunar orbits\u201d from its NRHO.<\/p>\n

    EM-4 would be followed by another commercially-contracted CSF before the final Phase 1 flight in 2026 of the EM-5 mission to deliver the \u226410mT airlock to the DSG.<\/p>\n

    As with EM-4, EM-5 would last between 26-42 days and would have the ability to translate between cislunar orbits.<\/p>\n

    According to Mr. Gerstenmaier, these EM-4 and EM-5 extended missions would replace the crewed Asteroid Redirect mission, with the goals of longer-duration cislunar flights shifting to these DSG missions.<\/p>\n

    Moreover, the Japan Aerospace and eXploration Agency (JAXA) has expressed interest in adding a further module to the DSG, noted Mr. Gerstenmaier.<\/p>\n

    Phase 2:<\/b><\/p>\n

    Phase 2 would begin in 2027 via a series of three flights \u2013 starting with a commercially-contracted CSF mission.<\/p>\n

    \"\"After this, 2027 would see two SLS flights.<\/p>\n

    The first SLS mission would be an uncrewed cargo flight, called EM-6 (confirming that uncrewed SLS missions can received an \u201cEM\u201d flight designation), to deliver the \u226441t Deep Space Transport (DST) into cislunar space.<\/p>\n

    The DST would be docked remotely to the DSG.<\/p>\n

    Under the Phase 2 plan, EM-6 would be followed later in 2027 by a 4 person crewed SLS flight, EM-7, on a logistics module run to the DSG\/DST.<\/p>\n

    In addition to bringing logistics to the DSG\/DST, the EM-7 crew would also perform a 191-221 day NRHO checkout mission of the DST (while the DST remains docked to the DSG).<\/p>\n

    \"\"In 2028, another commercially-contracted CSF mission would occur before the EM-8 mission \u2013 an uncrewed DST logistics and refueling flight of the SLS Block 1B cargo vehicle.<\/p>\n

    Notably, EM-8 is listed as the last flight of the SLS Block 1B design.<\/p>\n

    The following year, 2029, would see the introduction of the SLS Block 2 variant \u2013 with advanced side-mounted boosters.<\/p>\n

    This first Block 2 flight would be the EM-9 mission, a crewed flight with 4 astronauts.<\/p>\n

    EM-9 would see the 4 person crew rendezvous with the docked DSG\/DST spacecraft and perform at 300-400 day DST shakedown mission in cislunar space.<\/p>\n

    According to Mr. Gerstenmaier, \u201cThis will verify that the vehicle we\u2019re going to take to Mars can operate on its own for one year and is ready to go do its three year trip to Mars.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Furthermore, the goal of the one-year shakedown is to operate as if it were a three year mission to Mars by placing all of the logistics, all of the supplies, all of the spares on the vehicle and simulating \u2013 as safely as possible \u2013 the habitat and crew\u2019s ability to function without a direct rocket supply line to Earth. <\/p>\n

    Ultimately, though, this shakedown will have the ability to terminate quickly should the need arise.<\/p>\n

    Right now, the plan for this year-long mission would be to keep the DST docked with the DGS, though Mr. Gerstenmaier did note that there is an option to undock the DST to perform a solo year-long shakedown cruise. <\/p>\n

    At this point, according to the HEOMD presentation and Mr. Gerstenmaier, the stage would be set for the agency\u2019s first human flight to Mars.<\/p>\n

    \"\"A commercial CSF flight would then kick off NASA\u2019s Mars campaign ahead of a \u201c2030+\u201d timeframe launch of the EM-10 mission, a Block 2 SLS cargo run to DSG\/DST for logistics and refueling.<\/p>\n

    This would be followed in the same general \u201c2030+\u201d timeframe by EM-11.<\/p>\n

    The EM-11 crew would board the DST, undock it from the DSG, and take the DST on a Mars transit mission.<\/p>\n

    Overall, NASA envisions the DST as capable of supporting a 4-person crew on a 1,000 day mission to Mars.<\/p>\n

    Moreover, the DST would be used for three Mars-class missions before needing to be replaced.<\/p>\n

    A forward plan, but what about funding?<\/b><\/p>\n

    As with all federal agencies, bringing this plan to fruition is entirely dependent on the materialization of funding from the U.S. Congress. <\/p>\n

    \"\"Currently, the U.S. government will run out of money at the end of the day on 28 April 2017 unless Congress can pass and the White House sign a complete or temporary spending bill. <\/p>\n

    Moreover, while the stated goals of the Deep Space Gateway and Transport Plan are certainly ambitious and hold the potential to see NASA realize and utilize the SLS rocket and its capabilities, the U.S. Congress as well as the White House are currently seeking deep cuts to U.S. federal spending.<\/p>\n

    Despite promising words from President Trump when he signed the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 last month, it remains to be seen exactly what NASA\u2019s spending priorities are for Congress and whether the agency\u2019s funding line will increase accordingly to allow for a successful implementation for its announced initiatives.<\/p>\n

    \"\"Mr. Gerstenmaier specifically referenced the need for NASA to have a clear understanding of what the ultimate Fiscal Year 2018 budget for the agency will be.<\/p>\n

    \u201cFrom our standpoint in HEOMD, it\u2019s real important that we get some solid understanding of what the budget is,\u201d noted Mr. Gerstenmaier to the NAC.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe\u2019re in a very critical phase of development where we need budget certainty so we can do the right planning from a contract standpoint, from a hardware and build standpoint, and an operational timeline standpoint.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Regardless, the fact that NASA has announced an architecture and multi-flight plan for SLS as well as a staged approach for its goal of landing humans on Mars by the 2030s is a promising step for the agency and for the role SLS will play in human and robotic exploration initiatives over the next two decades.<\/p>\n

    (Images: NASA and L2 artist Nathan Koga \u2013 The full gallery of Nathan\u2019s (SpaceX Dragon to MCT, SLS, Commercial Crew and more) L2 images can be *found here*))<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    After years without concrete missions beyond the current EM-2 test flight, NASA has finally unveiled a plan for multiple missions of its SLS rocket.  The plan would see NASA initiate a multi-step approach to human exploration in cislunar space while simultaneously developing the architecture to enable human missions to Mars \u2013 all of which is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[9007,3718,4011,624],"class_list":["post-38833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-beo","tag-em-1","tag-em-2","tag-sls"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38833"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38833"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38833\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}