The first return of humans to the lunar surface will take the form of short-duration sorties. Current mission planning at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for lunar sorties includes four crew members living out of their landed lunar surface access module (LSAM) for 4 to 7 days. Potential landing sites of high scientific interest or with potential resources for development and utilization have been identified, including sites on the near side, far side, and polar regions. Extravehicular activities (EVAs) with suited astronauts out on the lunar surface will dominate surface operations. Critical capabilities that will be needed to support these activities include, surface mobility systems, long-lived power systems, global communication and navigation systems, teleoperated robotic systems, the ability to explore sub-surface, and dust mitigation and planetary protection techniques. Though extremely short in mission duration, human sorties to the Moon can also begin the testing of Mars-forward operational techniques and surface systems technologies.
Operational Strategies and Critical Capabilities for Human Sortie Missions on the Lunar Surface
10th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments and Second NASA/ARO/ASCE Workshop on Granular Materials in Lunar and Martian Exploration ; 2006 ; League City/Houston, Texas, United States
Earth & Space 2006 ; 1-8
2006-03-02
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Operational Strategies and Critical Capabilities for Human Sortie Missions on the Lunar Surface
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006
|Operational Strategies and Critical Capabilities for Human Sortie Missions on the Lunar Surface
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006
|