NASA Research and Technology Studies (RATS) 2012: Virtual Simulation and Evaluation of Human and Robotic Systems for Exploration of Near-Earth Asteroids

Abercromby, Andrew F. J.; Chappell, Steven P.; Litaker, Harry; Reagan, M.; Gernhardt, Michael L.

doi:10.2514/6.2013-3506

Cited by 20 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The MMSEV concept was originally developed as a pair of two-person pressurized rovers for lunar surface exploration, but after the Constellation lunar program was canceled, many of the capabilities of the MMSEV as an EVA and robotics work system for lunar surface exploration were identified as being equally important for human exploration of other destinations such as nearEarth asteroids, Mars, and Mars' moons [12][13][14]. One such key capability is provided by suit ports, which enable rapid EVA egress and ingress with minimal time required for crew EVA preparation and cleanup (collectively referred to as "EVA overhead") and gas losses [15][16][17].…”

Section: Exploration Atmosphere and Suit Ports Within Nasa's Exploratmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling a 15-min extravehicular activity prebreathe protocol using NASA׳s exploration atmosphere (56.5kPa/34% O2)

2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Exploration Atmosphere and Suit Ports Within Nasa's Exploratmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling a 15-min extravehicular activity prebreathe protocol using NASA׳s exploration atmosphere (56.5kPa/34% O2)

2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Lines tensioned between booms or possibly anchored into the Phobos surface could provide additional translation and stabilization options. Although test data suggest that this approach can provide acceptable translation and worksite stabilization to perform most scientific exploration tasks [1,11,12], the clear limitation of such an approach is the limited range that is achievable away from the central base, probably on the order of tens of meters. However, when combined with a mobile base this approach was considered a potentially viable low-mass option and was assumed to be used, with a 15-m range from the central base, in mission architecture Cases A, F, and G.…”

Section: Eva Booms and Translation Aidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Data from near-weightless testing in multiple simulation environments have indicated that only simple tasks such as float sampling can be performed acceptably using an EVA jetpack system [1,11,12]. Frequent contact between suit and surface is also likely, causing safety and suit maintenance concerns, and possibly affecting integrity of sites of scientific interest.…”

Section: Eva Jetpackmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The PEV concept is an evolution of the lunar electric rover concept developed for lunar surface habitation and exploration during the Constellation program [11,12,[15][16][17][18], and which was more recently adapted and evaluated for exploration of near-Earth asteroids [1,19,20]. The PEV concept consists of a core cabin that can be kitted with work packages and mobility systems depending on mission needs.…”

Section: Pressurized Exploration Vehiclementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rapid EVA egress and ingress is enabled via 2 suit ports and an exploration atmosphere of 56.5 kPa (8.2 psi), 34% O 2 , 66% N 2 [18]. The ability to rapidly egress and ingress the vehicle is assumed to enable single-person EVAs in the vicinity of the PEV, with contingency rescue capability being provided by the PEV pilot [1,19]. Thermal control is maintained using a radiator combined with a water-filled fusible heat sink, which also functions as protection against SPE radiation.…”

Section: Pressurized Exploration Vehiclementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Human exploration of Phobos

Abercromby

Gernhardt

Chappell

et al. 2015

2015 IEEE Aerospace Conference

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study developed, analyzed, and compared mission architectures for human exploration of Mars' moons within the context of an Evolvable Mars Campaign. METHODS: All trades assumed conjunction class missions to Phobos (approximately 500 days in Mars system) as it was considered the driving case for the transportation architecture. All architectures assumed that the Mars transit habitat would remain in a high-Mars orbit (HMO) with crewmembers transferring between HMO and Phobos in a small crew taxi vehicle. A reference science/exploration program was developed including performance of a standard set of tasks at 55 locations on the Phobos surface. Detailed EVA timelines were developed using realistic flight rules to accomplish the reference science tasks using exploration systems ranging from jetpacks to multi-person pressurized excursion vehicles combined with Phobos surface and orbital (L1, L4/L5, 20 km distant-retrograde-orbit [DRO]) habitat options. Detailed models of propellant mass, crew time, science productivity, radiation exposure, systems and consumables masses, and other figures of merit were integrated to enable quantitative comparison of different architectural options. Options for prestaging assets using solar electric propulsion versus delivering all systems with the crew were also evaluated. Seven discrete mission architectures were evaluated. RESULTS: The driving consideration for habitat location (Phobos surface versus orbital) was radiation exposure, with an estimated reduction in cumulative mission radiation exposure of up to 34% (versus a Mars orbital mission) when the habitat is located on the Phobos surface, compared with only 3% to 6% reduction for a habitat in a 20-km DRO. The exploration utility of lightweight unpressurized excursion vehicles was limited by the need to remain within 20 minutes of solar particle event radiation protection combined with complex guidance, navigation, and control systems required by the nonintuitive and highly-variable gravitational environment. Two-person pressurized excursion vehicles as well as mobile surface habitats offer significant exploration capability and operational benefits compared with unpressurized extravehicular activity (EVA) mobility systems at the cost of increased system and propellant mass. Mechanical surface translation modes (ie, hopping) were modeled and offered potentially significant propellant savings and the possibility of extended exploration operations between crewed missions. Options for extending the use of the crew taxi vehicle were examined, including use as an exploration asset for Phobos surface exploration (when combined with an alternate mobility system) and as an EVA platform, both on Phobos and for contingency EVA on the Mars transit habitat. CONCLUSIONS: Human exploration of Phobos offers a scientifically meaningful first step towards human Mars surface missions that develops and validates transportation, habitation, and exploration systems and operations in advance of the Mars landing systems.

show abstract

Lunar Outpost Analogs

Abercromby

Easter

2022

Handbook of Lunar Base Design and Development

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

NASA Research and Technology Studies (RATS) 2012: Virtual Simulation and Evaluation of Human and Robotic Systems for Exploration of Near-Earth Asteroids

Cited by 20 publications

References 4 publications

Modeling a 15-min extravehicular activity prebreathe protocol using NASA׳s exploration atmosphere (56.5kPa/34% O2)

Modeling a 15-min extravehicular activity prebreathe protocol using NASA׳s exploration atmosphere (56.5kPa/34% O2)

Human exploration of Phobos

Lunar Outpost Analogs

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About