1. A Synergistic Strategy for Robotic and Human NEO Exploration Tom Jones Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition IPEWG 2011 24 Aug 11 1

2. Synergistic NEO Strategy Setting the Stage NASA Human Spaceflight Policy is “Flexible” – End of space shuttle program – Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle – Space Launch System – Flat budgets from White House – Budget cutting threat – No clear path toward stated 2025 Human NEO Expedition 2

3. Synergistic NEO Strategy Importance of NEO Search Program NASA Advisory Council’s Ad Hoc Task Force on Planetary Defense (Oct 2010) – http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/490945main_10-10_TFPD.pdf Target NEO workshop conclusion: – “comprehensive NEO survey should be NASA priority” -- http://targetneo.org – At least as important as MPCV and SLS vehicles 3

4. Synergistic NEO Strategy Importance of NEO Search Program (cont’d) Catalog of hazardous NEOs – Early detection  time for planning deflection – Cues ground-based systems for precise orbit determination, characterization – Rapid revisit of detected NEOs  orbit precision Identify human mission targets – Low delta-V – Minimum mission duration – Program flexibility for launch windows 4

5. Synergistic NEO Strategy Synergies NEO activity is “3-D”: exploration, science, planetary defense (PD) Minor incremental cost to “other” NEO missions can yield large increase in exploration, PD knowledge Time is a 4 th, powerful dimension of synergy Early integration of exploration & PD into NEO missions drives maturity of ops techniques, technology Can reduce need for, and cost of, duplicate flight missions 5

6. Synergistic NEO Strategy Examples: Science, Exploration, Planetary Defense Low-g, irregular-g proximity operations algorithms Descent, ascent sensors, guidance NEO interior structure, physical and mechanical properties, surface material stability Anchoring technologies 6

7. Synergistic NEO Strategy Synergies (cont’d) Budget projections are not rosyBudget projections are not rosy Integrating PD, science, and human exploration objectives increases overall knowledge returnIntegrating PD, science, and human exploration objectives increases overall knowledge return Raises value of mission Raises value of mission Meets needs of managers, policy makers, scientists, public Meets needs of managers, policy makers, scientists, public Each mission adds momentum toward human NEO exploration Each mission adds momentum toward human NEO exploration 2010 Discovery AO noted value of science, exploration, PD 2010 Discovery AO noted value of science, exploration, PD 7

8. Synergistic NEO Strategy Sequence of NEO Exploration Milestones 1.Space-based NEO search – NEOSSat, NEOCam, NEO Survey, etc. 2.Series of small rendezvous spacecraft to visit spectrum of NEO types, compositions – Hayabusa II, OSIRIS-REx, etc. – New line of affordable micro-spacecraft – Characterize range of terrains, materials for astronauts 3.Robotic exploration of Moon in parallel 4.Astronauts to lunar orbit, EM-L1 for deep space testing 5.Limited series of astronaut NEO expeditions in 2020s 6.Lunar option if resources demand human access 8

9. Synergistic NEO Strategy Robotic precursors enable human explorers at NEO Need early, space-based search to provide program flexibility (launch windows, lower Δ-V, flight duration) Scouting a NEO target in advance enables: Sampling site selection Resource extraction processes Surface mechanical properties Arrival, departure imagery; deflection demo monitor Operations planning (filling in the crew’s checklists) – Tools, Science, Rendezvous, Descent, EVA, etc. Assessment and reduction of the biggest risks 9

10. Synergistic NEO Strategy Conclusions Astronaut expeditions to NEOs will occur for reasons “in addition to” scientific investigation Can expect important results in: – Science – Planetary defense – Resource potential for future exploration, wealth – Mars-forward experience and momentum – Participatory exploration by public Much leverage to be gained by early NEO search, robotic precursor program Clear potential for international collaboration in a synergistic program of robotic & human NEO exploration 10

11. Synergistic NEO Strategy 11 Questions? Tom Jones tjones@ihmc.us NASA

12. Synergistic NEO Strategy 12