Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration Norbert Frischauf,, Bruno Gardini, Alain Pradier,, Dietrich Vennemann Aurora Programme Office IAA/ESA Workshop ESA/ESTEC, 22-23/09/2003 22-23/09/2003-1-
Outlook on this Presentation Introduction What is Aurora? Aurora s Rationales and Objectives, Exploration Trends Objectives, strategic Approach The Objectives of Aurora Exploration and Technology Strategy Aurora s Framework Long Term Plan and Mission Definition Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration Conclusions 22-23/09/2003-2-
Introduction What is Aurora? Aurora is a multidisciplinary Programme of the European Space Agency with the objective to formulate first and then implement, a European long-term plan for the robotic and human exploration of the Solar System bodies, which hold promise for traces of life. 22-23/09/2003-3-
Introduction Rationales (1) European Space Strategy The ESS was endorsed at ministerial level by both the ESA Council and the EU Council of Research and calls for Europe to " explore the Solar System and the Universe ", to prepare " for the 'next step' in human space exploration: the exploration of the Solar System" and to take action for " stimulating new technological advances and inspiring our youth toward scientific interest." 22-23/09/2003-4-
Rationales (2) Introduction Trends in Exploration In the coming decades the scientific and human exploration of the Solar System is expected to progress further - beyond the low Earth orbits. A first international human mission to Mars may become a reality by the years 2020-2030. Moon 2030 ISS 2005 22-23/09/2003 Phobos, Deimos, Asteroids -5-
Introduction Rationales (3) Europe s Capabilities Deciding in which areas of expertise Europe wants to have a lead in the future, requires a detailed analysis of the European technology strengths and an assessment of its strategic value. Aurora, presented and approved at the Ministerial Conference in Edinburgh in November 2001, represents Europe s response to all these challenging goals. 22-23/09/2003-6-
Objectives, strategic Approach Objectives (1) Aurora s Objectives: In the Near Term : Continue the European effort after Mars Express and Beagle 2 towards a more systematic planetary exploration programme, focused on Mars, Moon and Asteroids. In the Long Term : Formulate, and then implement, a European Long Term Plan for the robotic and human exploration of the Solar System bodies holding promise for traces of life. 22-23/09/2003-7-
Objectives, strategic Approach Objectives (2) Aurora s Objectives: European and international Cooperation: Provide for missions and technologies complementary to the existing ESA and national programs in Europe and Canada and foster the development of a coherent, unified European approach for Exploration. Cooperation with other international partners will be sought. 22-23/09/2003-8-
Objectives, strategic Approach Strategy (1) The two strategic Axes within Aurora: Exploration Strategy: calls for a stepped approach exploration of Mars, the Moon as well as the Asteroids and Near Earth Objects 22-23/09/2003-9-
Objectives, strategic Approach Strategy (2) The two strategic Axes within Aurora: Technology Strategy: calls for the development of technologies relevant to robotic and human exploration missions, such as: Automated Guidance, Navigation and Control, Mission Analysis; Micro-Avionics; Data-Processing and Communication; Entry, Descent and Landing; Crew and Life Support Aspects ; In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU); Power Generation, Conditioning and Storage; Propulsion, In-Space Transportation; Ascent/Descent Vehicles; Robotics and Mechanisms; Structure and thermal Control; Instrument Technology; 22-23/09/2003 (refer to Annex D of the Aurora Programme Proposal, SP-1254) -10-
Long Term Plan and Mission Definition (1) Aurora s Vision (1): Over the next 20 years robotic missions will prepare for human missions by collecting as much scientific and engineering data as possible without in-situ human intervention. These missions will carry sophisticated exobiology payloads and provide answers to some key questions on the origins of life in the Solar System, and possible causes for its extinction on other planets. 22-23/09/2003-11-
Long Term Plan and Mission Definition (2) Aurora s Vision (2): These precursor missions will also greatly advance our technology capability. Driven by the exploration goals a large number of scientific and technology spin-offs will emerge. The Aurora Programme is to be seen as a road map for human exploration, technology development and a genuine programme for innovation. Long Term Plan foreseen to proceed through four steps to enable the human exploration of the Solar System 22-23/09/2003-12-
Long Term Plan and Mission Definition (3) Long Term Plan Step 1: In-Situ Characterization and Exobiology Missions In view of the long-term goal of a human exploration of Mars, it is essential to increase our knowledge of the planet characteristics: local resources, climatology, meteorology, assessment of the exobiology, geophysical and geological risks,... This step in already under way by NASA, Europe and other countries (Mars Twin Rovers, Mars Express, Beagle2, Mars Orbiter 07) Continuation of this effort is proposed through missions dedicated to the characterization of the Mars biological environment, before landing other spacecrafts or humans 22-23/09/2003-13-
Long Term Plan and Mission Definition (4) Long Term Plan Step 2: Sample Return Missions (1) A Sample Return Mission has been widely debated by the scientific community as an important preparatory step toward a human mission to Mars. In fact more than one successful mission may be needed for a conclusive decision on the way to proceed, well in advance of a human mission. 22-23/09/2003-14-
Long Term Plan and Mission Definition (5) Long Term Plan Step 2: Sample Return Missions (2) Sample Return missions imply the development and testing of key technologies such as aerocapture, autonomy, inter-craft communications, landing and ascent vehicles, in-orbit rendezvous and Earth return vehicles. A reference date for a European Mars Sample Return mission could be the 2011-2016 timeframe, starting with a basic mission to return a small amount of Martian rocks followed by more ambitious missions which could be a closer representation of a human mission. 22-23/09/2003-15-
Long Term Plan and Mission Definition (6) Long Term Plan Step 3: Robotic Outpost A Robotic Outpost development phase has been envisaged starting around 2015 with the utilisation of long-range exploration rovers and multi-tasks robotic means. 22-23/09/2003-16-
Long Term Plan and Mission Definition (7) Long Term Plan Step 4: Human Mars Mission Steps 1-3 should enable the ultimate goal of a Human Mars Mission by 2030. Different approaches can be considered for European participation to an international human exploration of Mars. The candidate architectures rely on the development of innovative technologies in various fields like propulsion, landing and ascent vehicles, surface mobility, structures and materials, regenerative life support systems, power generation and distribution, local resources utilisation, thermal control, navigation, communications. 22-23/09/2003-17-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (1) Automated Guidance, Navigation and Control, Mission Analysis: Precision Landing for 5 x 5 km: Only needed at a lesser extent for the earlier robotic missions (like ExoMars), this technology becomes more important for a Mars Sample Return Mission and is of essential importance for any Human Mars Mission, especially if the human Mars exploration strategy will call for a complex ground infrastructure, with a power plant, ISRU, a greenhouse, etc. Verification within Aurora: First demonstrated with ExoMars, the MSR and later the complex MSR mission requirements will drive the technology to a level required for Human Mars Missions. 22-23/09/2003-18-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (2) Automated Guidance, Navigation and Control, Mission Analysis: Aerocapture: Instead of using a retro-burn one can also use the Martian atmosphere to dissipate the spacecraft s kinetic energy to establish an orbit around Mars. This requires an extensive knowledge of the Martian atmosphere and has stringent requirements on the guidance and navigation part of the S/C, calling for the creation of a well-defined Martian atmosphere model, which summarises the composition of the atmosphere, its boundaries and fluctuations over time. Based on the information in this database it will be possible to feedback requirements for the GNC part of the S/C and to define a proper mission sequence. Verification within Aurora: The Mars Aerocapture mission is foreseen as the flight demonstrator. 22-23/09/2003-19-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (3) Micro-Avionics: Avionics Main Building Blocks System on a Chip: This activity is centred on implementing all the fundamental elements of the avionics on a single chip. Due to the involved mass reduction this technology is of utter importance for all space missions. Both the ExoMars and MSR mission, as well as the Mars Aerocapture and to a lesser extent the Earth Re-Entry Vehicle/Capsule mission, will rely extensively on the reduced mass/volume and the enforced environmental acceptance properties of the next generation avionics. Verification within Aurora: A first demonstration on the Earth Re-Entry Vehicle/Capsule, will allow the consequent use of this technology on ExoMars, MSR and all other missions. 22-23/09/2003-20-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (4) Data-Processing and Communication: Ground Antenna with large Diameter for Deep Space Communications: Satellites are power limited and so is the downlink communication back to Earth. If one wants to avoid using excessive power for communication with the ground station, a practical solution is to increase the antenna gain of the ground segment. However, this calls for a big antenna diameter (> 50 m) if one wants to increase the gain significantly (NASA s biggest Deep Space Network antenna has a diameter of 70 m). As more and more spacecraft will voyage deeper into interplanetary space and will require higher data rates to transmit their memory-demanding observations (this is even more the case for human space missions), the availability of a large diameter antenna will become a necessity. The interplanetary internet concept between Earth, Mars, Moon, etc. will only be possible with several antennas of this kind. 22-23/09/2003-21-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (5) Data-Processing and Communication: Global Satellite Communication / Navigation Network around Mars / Moon: When Humans will finally prepare to step on the Martian surface, a Satellite Communication Network has to be operational to allow continuous communication. The availability of continuous navigation information on the Martian surface is another must have for any Human Mars Mission. Placing a combination of communication / navigation satellites in Martian / Lunar orbit will also help in decreasing the landing error ellipse. Verification within Aurora: Part of this technology and its principles of operation will already be demonstrated with the ExoMars mission, building also upon the experience from Mars Express. 22-23/09/2003-22-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (6) Entry, Descent and Landing: Hyperbolic atmospheric Re-Entry: Coming back from Moon or Mars implies a high re-entry velocity at the entry interface, if one performs a direct re-entry (>12 km/s) to avoid an additional propulsive manoeuvre. Rather than developing the needed materials from scratch it should be considered to concentrate the R&D efforts on lowering the density of the ablative materials (and hence the heat shield mass). Verification within Aurora: Europe has flown one re-entry demonstrator so far (ARD), but not at such high velocities. The two small arrow missions Earth Re-Entry Vehicle/Capsule and Mars Aerocapture Demonstrator have been therefore set up to demonstrate a hyperbolic re-entry, both at Earth and at Mars, an essential items for the MSR missions and the Human missions. 22-23/09/2003-23-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (7) Entry, Descent and Landing: Steerable Inflatable Breaking Device: Classical heatshields are massive and voluminous, an Inflatable Breaking Device Unit (IBDU) offers significant gains in both areas and as such is a technology item of high importance to limited mass lander / rovers, especially if it can be made steerable. Verification: A flight test of a non-steerable vehicle is presently in preparation. 22-23/09/2003-24-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (8) Crew and Life Support Aspects of Exploration: Regenerative Life Support for interplanetary Travel: Getting humans from Earth to Mars / Moon and back requires a complex life support system to ensure their medical and psychological well-being. Utilising a regenerative life support will limit the mass that has to be taken along to support a human mission. Verification: Parts of the system exist in form of prototypes; others need to be developed to the next level. The Flight demonstration is to be conducted on-board of the ISS. 22-23/09/2003-25-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (9) Crew and Life Support Aspects of Exploration: Bio-regenerative Life Support for Surface Habitation: Similar to a space system this system is intended to work on a planetary surface, a strong heritage does already exist because of the MELISSA activities. Verification: ISS will serve as a test-bed for flight demonstration. 22-23/09/2003-26-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (10) Crew and Life Support Aspects of Exploration: Radiation Protection and Biological Effects: Radiation hazards are a strong limiting factor for the manned exploration of space. Monitoring and predicting the space weather is an important technology to be acquired before any future human mission into interplanetary can take place. In addition a space weather monitoring / prediction network will also have great benefits for terrestrial applications and robotic space missions. 22-23/09/2003-27-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (11) Crew and Life Support Aspects of Exploration: EVA suit: Although both Russia and the US have developed space suits for Extra Vehicular Activities (EVA) in Low Earth Orbit and on the Lunar Surface, a space suit to be used on Mars will have to fulfil different requirements, being exposed to 7 mbars of pressure, dust particles and a higher wear factor, because of gravity. 22-23/09/2003-28-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (12) In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU): ISRU Breadboard Moon Lander / ISRU Mission: In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) means living off the land and is a strategy to reduce the initial mass that has to be launched from Earth to conduct a mission on an interplanetary target, be it the production of propellant (In-Situ Propellant Propellant Production ISPP) or the production of breathable gases, water or other goods needed by a human crew. Verification within Aurora: Although Moon and Mars differ considerably in terms of resources, mainly because of Mars atmosphere, several components of a later utilisation of ISRU on Mars can already be tested and verified by a Lunar Lander / ISRU mission. In view of this flight experiment demonstration, the preparation of a breadboard for such an experiment will be necessary as well. 22-23/09/2003-29-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (13) Power Generation, Conditioning and Storage: 100 kw Power Generation on Mars / Moon: Providing power to a spacecraft around the Earth is manageable by solar arrays and batteries, as the solar constant is high and the night is short. Things become difficult on the Lunar surface with its 14 day / night-cycle and on Mars, where the Solar Constant has dropped to 44% of the value at Earth and where a global dust storm might obscure the sun for several weeks. In addition Mars reddish spectrum renders high-efficiency solar cell technology (e.g. GaAs) nearly useless. An ISRU would be the major power consumer estimated to work with a power input of 31-38 kw, requiring a continuously supply of power as well. Two possible options for a 50 kw+ power station on Mars are: Photovoltaic Power Systems (e.g. Thin Film CIS Blankets) Nuclear Power reactor (heat-pipe-, liquid-metal- or gas-cooled core) 22-23/09/2003-30-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (14) Power Generation, Conditioning and Storage: Energy Storage with Fuel Cells: Production of Energy is one issue, storing it for peak power demands and/or times when energy cannot be generated is another topic. Batteries are good candidates for small energy quantities, for bigger energy quantities to be stored fuel cells are prime to any other energy storage system. Currently existing space qualified fuel cells are of low efficiency, especially when compared to the currently for the car sector developed PEM fuel cells. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, can work with CO/O 2 as reactants, hence they are excellent candidates for being used on Mars. Depending on the usage of solar arrays vs. nuclear power, fuel cells will have to be considered for high power applications like ISRU facilities and manned spaceships, as well as for big-scale rovers on planetary surfaces. 22-23/09/2003-31-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (15) Propulsion, In-Space Transportation; Ascent / Descent Vehicles: Planetary Ascent / Descent Propulsion Technologies: Any MSR mission as well as the future human planetary surface missions will have to make use of a reliable planetary ascent/descent propulsion system. Tailored to the actual need of the mission one has to either have a whole port-folio of engines or is obliged to buy it in, as considered for the ExoMars mission. Thrust level and reliability for a manned system will have to be higher, in addition such a system will need to have an adjustable thrust - no such system has been developed yet. Verification within Aurora: Making use of ISPP is to be taken into consideration for the design and development of an engine. As such a development exercise is a long task, one could foresee a first flight demonstration for the complex MSR mission. 22-23/09/2003-32-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (16) Robotics and Mechanisms: Underground Robots to drill to a Depth of 100 m: Understanding the Martian soil properties is key to questions of exobiology as well as In-Situ Resource Utilisation. Large Rovers: Large Rovers, like the Manned Pressurised Laboratory (MPL) and the Utility Truck (UT) as presented within ESA s S51 study, are an integral part of the manned exploration scenario to enable vast-area exploration but also to serve as a safe-haven for short periods of time. 22-23/09/2003-33-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (17) Structure and thermal Control: Habitat Structural Systems: The Habitat is an essential part within a human exploration programme, both for application within a spaceship as well as for planetary outposts. Early activities are to be related to configuration studies as well as to initial development steps for on-orbit welding technologies, materials and repair aspects. 22-23/09/2003-34-
Enabling Technologies for robotic and human Exploration (18) Structure and thermal Control: Thermal Control Technologies: Thermal control technologies are considered to be important for both robotic and manned missions, with the main challenge to cope with the extreme environmental conditions encountered during the mission. Technology items range from high-temperature insulting materials to loop heat pipe deployable radiators, micro coolers for planetary landers, thermal switches, high heat-lift mechanical coolers and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Foreseen activities call for the qualification and testing of variable thermooptical properties coatings, the development, manufacturing and testing of high-temperature insulating materials. High heat-lift mechanical coolers will see an EQM design and their pre-qualification testing. 22-23/09/2003-35-
Conclusions (1) Since its official start in January 2002, the Aurora Programme Office at ESA and its partners in the national agencies, universities, research centres and industries have been co-operating to define the exploration roadmap and enabling technologies. In the cause of this activities numerous technology proposals have been analysed to define the most critical for achieving a Human Mars Mission by 2030. The technologies presented in this presentation are only a small excerpt, a much broader perspective and further details can be found in the document: Technologies for Exploration, Aurora Programme Proposal: Annex D, ESA SP-1254, November 2001. 22-23/09/2003-36-
Conclusions (2) Aurora s Website: http://www.esa.int/export/esami/aurora/ 22-23/09/2003-37-