November 30, 2006November 30, 2006

Space Telescope Science Institute ConferenceSpace Telescope Science Institute Conference

Scott “Doc” HorowitzAssociate AdministratorNASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate

Scott “Doc” HorowitzAssociate AdministratorNASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate

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A Bold Vision for Space ExplorationA Bold Vision for Space Exploration

The Administrator shall establish a program to develop a sustained human presence on the Moon, including a robust precursor program to promote

exploration, science, commerce and U.S. preeminence in space, and as a stepping stone to future exploration of Mars and other destinations.

The Administrator shall establish a program to develop a sustained human presence on the Moon, including a robust precursor program to promote

exploration, science, commerce and U.S. preeminence in space, and as a stepping stone to future exploration of Mars and other destinations.

NASA Authorization Act of 2005NASA Authorization Act of 2005

• Complete the International Space Station• Safely fly the Space Shuttle until 2010• Develop and fly the Crew Exploration

Vehicle no later than 2014• Return to the Moon no later than 2020• Extend human presence into the solar

system• Implement a sustained and affordable

human and robotic program• Develop supporting innovative

technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures

• Promote international and commercial participation in exploration

• Complete the International Space Station• Safely fly the Space Shuttle until 2010• Develop and fly the Crew Exploration

Vehicle no later than 2014• Return to the Moon no later than 2020• Extend human presence into the solar

system• Implement a sustained and affordable

human and robotic program• Develop supporting innovative

technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures

• Promote international and commercial participation in exploration

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Lunar Lander DevelopmentLunar Lander Development

Lunar Heavy Launch DevelopmentLunar Heavy Launch Development

Earth Departure Stage DevelopmentEarth Departure Stage Development

Surface Systems DevelopmentSurface Systems Development

Orion DevelopmentOrion Development

ARES I Launch Vehicle DevelopmentARES I Launch Vehicle Development

Commercial Crew/Cargo for ISSCommercial Crew/Cargo for ISS

Space Shuttle OperationsSpace Shuttle Operations

Lunar Outpost BuildupLunar Outpost BuildupInitial Orion (CEV)CapabilityInitial Orion (CEV)Capability

Orion Production and OperationsOrion Production and Operations

Lunar Robotic MissionsLunar Robotic Missions

Mars Expedition DesignMars Expedition Design

Note: Specific dates and milestones not yet established. CEV/CLV availability planned for as close to 2010 as possible, but NLT 2014. Return to the moon as early as 2018 , but NLT 2020.

1st Human Flight Aboard Orion 7th Human

Lunar Landing

Early Design Activity

Exploration RoadmapExploration Roadmap

Science Robotic MissionsScience Robotic Missions

05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

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The Moon - the 1st Step to Mars and Beyond….The Moon - the 1st Step to Mars and Beyond….

• Extending operational experience in a hostile planetary environment

• Developing capabilities needed for opening the space frontier

• Preparing for human exploration of Mars

• Science operations and discovery

• Enabling international, commercial and scientific goals for the development and use of the moon

• Extending operational experience in a hostile planetary environment

• Developing capabilities needed for opening the space frontier

• Preparing for human exploration of Mars

• Science operations and discovery

• Enabling international, commercial and scientific goals for the development and use of the moon

Next Step in Fulfilling Our Destiny As ExplorersNext Step in Fulfilling Our Destiny As Explorers

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• Provides continuous U.S. human space flight

• U.S. system that can service the International Space Station

• Significant advancement over Apollo

• Minimum of two lunar missions per year

• Provides a 125 metric ton launch vehicle for lunar and later Mars missions and beyond

• Higher ascent crew safety than the Space Shuttle

• Requirements-driven technology program

• Fits within the current budget

A Safe, Accelerated, Affordable and Sustainable Approach

A Safe, Accelerated, Affordable and Sustainable Approach

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• The safest, most reliable and most affordable means of meeting crew requirements is a system derived from Space Shuttle components

• 125 metric ton lift capacity required to minimize on-orbit assembly and complexity – increasing mission success

How We Plan to Return to the MoonLaunch System

How We Plan to Return to the MoonLaunch System

Ares I Ares V

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Project OrionProject Orion

Spacecraft Adapter – structural transition to launch vehicle

Crew Module – crew and cargo transport

Service Module – propulsion, electrical power, fluids storage

Orion consists of

four functional modules

Orion consists of

four functional modules

Launch Abort System -- emergency escape during launch

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Building on a Foundation of Proven Technologies- Launch Vehicle Comparisons -

Crew

Lander

S-IVB(1 J-2 engine)240k lb Lox/LH2

S-II(5 J-2 engines)1M lb LOx/LH2

S-IC(5 F-1)3.9M lb LOx/RP

LunarLander

Earth DepartureStage (EDS) (1 J-2X)499k lb LOx/LH2

Core Stage(5 RS-68 Engines)3.1M lb LOx/LH2

Upper Stage(1 J-2X)

280k lb LOx/LH2

5-Segment Reusable Solid Rocket Booster (RSRB)

Space Shuttle Ares I Ares V Saturn VHeight: 184.2 ft

Gross Liftoff Mass: 4.5M lb

55k lbm to LEO

Height: 321 ftGross Liftoff Mass: 2.0M lb

48k lbm to LEO

Height: 358 ftGross Liftoff Mass: 7.3M lb

117k lbm to TLI144k lbm to TLI in Dual-Launch Mode with Ares I

290k lbm to LEO

Height: 364 ftGross Liftoff Mass: 6.5M

lb

99k lbm to TLI262k lbm to LEO

5-Segment2 RSRB’s

400

300

200

100

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Veh

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Hei

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What is a ‘Global Exploration Strategy’?What is a ‘Global Exploration Strategy’?

• Kicked off in April 06 with a workshop

• A strategy for exploration with an initial focus on the Moon, that encompasses the interests of many participants including International space agencies, academia, and commercial investors

• Not a definition of “how” we will explore - but “what” and “why”

• A blueprint of exploration objectives

• A plan that identifies the time-phasing of the accomplishment of enabling and interdependent objectives

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Exploration Strategy ThemesExploration Strategy Themes

• Use the Moon to prepare for future human and robotic missions to Mars and other destinations

• Pursue scientific activities to address fundamental questions about the solar system, the universe, and our place in them

• Extend sustained human presence to the moon to enable eventual settlement

• Expand Earth’s economic sphere to encompass the Moon and pursue lunar activities with direct benefits to life on Earth

• Strengthen existing and create new global partnerships

• Engage, inspire, and educate the public

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Promising SitesPromising Sites

South Pole: Three areas identified with sunlight for more than 50% of lunar day

One zone receives 70% illumination during dead of southern winter

Lit areas in close proximity to permanent darkness (rim of Shackleton)

North Pole: Three areas identified with 100% sunlight

Two zones are proximate to craters in permanent shadow

Data taken during northern summer (maximum sunlight)

Data obtained during southern winter (maximum darkness)

Data obtained during northern summer (maximum sunlight)

South Pole

North Pole

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Robotic Precursor MissionsRobotic Precursor Missions

• Provide early information for human missions– Key knowledge needed for human safety and mission

success - risk reduction for later human elements– Infrastructure elements for eventual human benefit

• Resolve the many unknowns at the North and South Poles– Knowledge of the environment – temperatures, lighting– Resources/deposits – composition and physical nature– Terrain and surface properties - dust characterization– Support infrastructure – navigation/communication,

beacons

• Enable capable and sustainable exploration– Surface systems and Operations– Science, commercial interests, and international

partnering

“Starting no later than 2008, initiate a series of robotic missions to the Moon to prepare for and support future human exploration activities”, NPSD-31

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Lunar Reconnaissance OrbiterLaunch Date October 2008

Lunar Reconnaissance OrbiterLaunch Date October 2008

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO):

• Lunar mapping, topography, radiation characterization, and volatile identification

• 50 km polar orbit

Lunar CRater Observation andSensing Satellite (LCROSS):

• Investigate the presence of water at the South Pole via a kinetic impactor and shepherding spacecraft

LCROSS

LRO