As NASA refines its plans for the return of humans to the lunar surface, it becomes very clear that surface mobility will be critical to outpost buildup and exploration activities. NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program is investing in a broad range of surface mobility projects. Within this range of projects falls a rover vehicle, capable of moving suited crew members and cargo. A prototype, known as Chariot has been developed. This prototype vehicle is a multipurpose, reconfigurable, modular lunar surface vehicle. And, with the right attachments and/or crew accommodations, Chariot will be capable of serving a large number of functions. 12
Abstract-In this paper, we present an overview of the NASA Human Exploration Telerobotics (HET) project. The purpose of HET is to demonstrate and assess how telerobotics can improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of human exploration missions. To do this, we are developing and testing advanced robots remotely operated by ground controllers on Earth and by crew on the International Space Station. The outcome of these tests will provide insight into the requirements, benefits, limitations, costs and risks of integrating advanced telerobotics into future human missions. In addition, the engineering data acquired during these tests will inform the design of future telerobotic systems.
he Resource Prospector (RP) [1] is an In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technology demonstration mission under study by the NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate's (HEOMD) Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Division. The mission, currently planned to launch in 2020, will demonstrate extraction of oxygen from lunar regolith to validate ISRU capability. The mission will address key Strategic Knowledge Gaps (SKGs) for robotic and human exploration to the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs), and ultimately Mars, as well as meet the strategic goals of the Global Exploration Roadmap (GER), offered by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG). In this roadmap, the use of local resources is specifically addressed relating to human exploration [2] RP will provide knowledge to inform the selection of future mission destinations, support the development of exploration systems, and reduce the risk associated with human exploration. Expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit to asteroids and Mars will require the maximum possible use of local materials, so-called in-situ resources. The moon presents a unique destination to conduct robotic investigations that advance ISRU capabilities, as well as providing significant exploration and science value. Lunar regolith contains useful resources such as oxygen, water, silicon, and light metals, like aluminum and titanium. Oxygen can be separated from the regolith for life support (breathable air), or used to create rocket propellant (oxidizer). Regolith can be used to protect against radiation exposure, be processed into solar cells, or used to manufacture construction materials such as bricks and glass. RP will characterize the constituents and distribution of water and other volatiles at the poles of the Moon, enabling innovative uses of
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