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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

Questions?

Tom Jonestjones@ihmc.us

NASA

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Synergistic NEO Strategy