Human Exploration ROI

• New, unique, meaningful destination for human explorers in next decade

• Provides a high-value target well-suited to exploitation using unique astronaut skills• Flexible, adaptable, versatile, problem-solving,

field explorers• Provides affordable way to build deep space ops

experience • Sophisticated, cutting-edge operations in deep

space• Applicable to free-range NEAs, lunar surface,

Mars system• Forward-looking, valuable first step in providing

plentiful access to bulk space resources• Propellant -- Long-term value to wide-ranging

future exploration• Plainly shows leadership, yet invites cooperation

T. Jones

ARM Potential Return• Science• Complementary to robotic NEA missions• Intelligent, judicious collection of tens of kgs of NEA

samples• Emplacement of long-term surface and interior science

packages• Preparation for follow-up exploration and exploitation of

target NEA• Planetary Defense• Obtain “Civil Engineering” measurements: physical

properties, interior structure• Enhanced search for hazardous NEAs• Solid first step in deflection: Technical confidence in

complex, sustained robotic NEA operations• SEP may be common technology for other deflection

techniques• Space Resources• Continues commercial partnerships and moves them into

deep space• Volatiles of prime interest for propellant source• Invites commercial cargo support, prospecting, and mining

demos• Begin—now--ISS research campaign to demonstrate

resource handling and processing

T. Jones

Post-ARM Missions for ROI

• Invite international and commercial follow-up visits to NEA – NASA assists with access

• Collaboration on robotic and potential astronaut visits

• Infrastructure emplaced by astronauts?• Turn over prospecting and exploitation to commercial and international partners

• NASA moves on to Moon, NEAs, Mars system

T. Jones

Benefits• Practical – less challenging and costly

than Mars Curiosity• Affordable-- joint robotic/human venture

possible within 10 years• Forward-looking--Gives NASA new deep

space skills in preparation for variety of future exploration missions

• Opportunity--Demonstrates NASA competence and risk management while constrained in destination and budget

• Excitement--Capitalizes on asteroid interest and new “planetary surface” as part of larger exploration plans

T. Jones

Back-Up

Possible Astronaut Activities

• Surface survey (via capture mechanism openings)• Grappling, anchoring, mobility tests• Install “ziploc” access ports for future visits• Surface and dust characterization• Sample collection• Surface• Unperturbed optical surface• Cores from interior

• Sounding the interior for structural characterization• Emplace material handling and extraction processors• Equip for future IP, commercial, astronaut visits

T. Jones

ARM Synergies:Exploration, Science, Commercial, International, Planetary Defense

• Makes full use of human exploration skills at asteroid • Prepares for more ambitious deep space human exploration • Complements planned robotic asteroid science missions

• Intelligent, on-scene selection of tens of kg of varied samples from asteroid• Invites commercial cargo, prospecting, & mining demonstrations• Explores future use of valuable space resources

• A 500 metric ton C-type asteroid may contain • 200 t of volatiles (water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, ammonia, etc.) • 90 t metals (~ 82 t of iron, 7 t of nickel, 1 t of cobalt) • 200 t other -- shielding, strategic metals

• Invites international partners to provide major systems, launch services, robotic prospectors, habitats, cargo, etc.

• Participate in follow-up visits to and exploitation of captured asteroid• Planetary Defense applications

• “Civil engineering” measurements at asteroid• Expanded NEA search applied to hazardous objects, too• Redirection is by definition a “deflection” demonstration• Application of ARM technology for other deflection techniques and demosT. Jones