SLS - space launch system (3-я попытка)

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Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 21 мин. назад

At least the slides are working: here's his slide about current plans for SLS missions in "Phase 1" of its exploration strategy.

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Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 16 мин. назад

Phase 2 adds a "Deep Space Transport" to the Deep Space Gateway.

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Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 14 мин. назад

Plans for future missions for Phases 2 and 3, through EM-11 in "2030+":

[Astro Cat]

Мда. Они ЛОС собрались лепить. А то летать некуда. )))

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Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 2 мин. назад

Free presents "sample architecture guidelines" for initial phases of the exploration plan.

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NASA_SLS‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_SLS 19 ч. назад

Watch @NASA_Orion test article undergo pyroshock tests, simulating service module separation from SLS at launch: https://go.nasa.gov/2najAcj .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQsIzwrfM0A

Orion Test Article Pyroshock Test
Orion test article underwent pyroshock tests, which simulated the shock the service module will experience as it separates from the SLS during launch.

[Salo]

Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 24 ч.24 часа назад
Plans for future missions for Phases 2 and 3, through EM-11 in "2030+":
 
 
  Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 24 ч.24 часа назад
Phase 2 adds a "Deep Space Transport" to the Deep Space Gateway.
 
 
  Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 24 ч.24 часа назад
He adds that Japan would like to add a module to this outpost as well, but want to keep overall concept "minimalistic."
 
  Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 24 ч.24 часа назад
Gerst is talking about building up this "deep space gateway" outpost using elements flown on EM-2 and later flights.
 
  Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 24 ч.24 часа назад
At least the slides are working: here's his slide about current plans for SLS missions in "Phase 1" of its exploration strategy.
 

[Salo]

 Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust  2 ч.2 часа назад
Good news: NASA has finished an "external markings document" that spells out how they'll apply logos to SLS and Orion. Important...
 
   Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust  2 ч.2 часа назад  
Hill: Orion service module and SLS core stage "neck and neck" for being the critical path for EM-1 launch. Tornado cost 2-3 months on SLS.
 
   Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust  2 ч.2 часа назад  
Hill: core stages on the critical path for SLS EM-1. Working with Boeing to see how we can recover some schedule.
 
   Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust  2 ч.2 часа назад  
Hill: another Michoud building, leased to USDA, heavily damaged by tornado; "uninhabitable" now.
 
   Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust  2 ч.2 часа назад  
Bill Gerstenmaier: we were really surprised by the amount of damage by tornado. Major disruption to overall schedule at Michoud.
 
   Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust  2 ч.2 часа назад  
Hill: asking for a supplemental [appropriaitons] to cover repair costs; for now paying for them out of SLS.
 
   Marcia Smith‏ @SpcPlcyOnline  2 ч.2 часа назад  
Hill summary chart of tornado damage to Michoud.
 
 
   Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust  2 ч.2 часа назад  
Hill: if the tornado's path had shifted just a bit, it would have gone right over Bldg 103, would have been out of business for a while.
 
   Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust  2 ч.2 часа назад  
Hill shows this figure of the tornado damage to Michoud in February affecting SLS work:
 

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NASA_SLS‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_SLS 8 мин. назад

Structural testing is under way for @NASA 's SLS rocket: https://go.nasa.gov/2nw7V9y 
https://video.twimg.com/tweet_video/C8HEvebX0AAYYoP.mp4

https://nasa.tumblr.com/post/158969921189/under-pressure

Under Pressure
Structural Tests Underway for Top of World's Most Powerful Rocket

Спойлер

Testing is underway at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on the agency's new Space Launch System, the world's most powerful rocket. SLS and NASA's Orion spacecraft will enable deep-space missions, beginning a new era of exploration beyond Earth's orbit.



Engineers at Marshall have stacked four qualification articles of the upper part of SLS into a 65-foot-tall test stand using more than 3,000 bolts to hold the hardware together. Tests are currently underway to ensure the rocket hardware can withstand the pressures of launch and flight. 

The integrated tests consists of:

1. Launch Vehicle Adapter
2. Frangible Joint Assembly
3. Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage
4. Orion Stage Adapter



Engineers are using 28 load pistons to push, pull and twist the rocket hardware, subjecting it to loads up to 40 percent greater than that expected during flight. More than 100 miles of cables are transmitting measurements across 1,900 data channels.



The Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter, LVSA, connects the SLS core stage and the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage, ICPS. The LVSA test hardware is 26.5 feet tall, with a bottom diameter of 27.5 feet and a top diameter of 16.8 feet. The frangible joint, located between the LVSA and ICPS, is used to separate the two pieces of hardware during flight, allowing the ICPS to provide the thrust to send Orion onto its mission.



The ICPS is a liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen-based system that will give Orion the big, in-space push needed to fly beyond the moon before it returns to Earth on the first flight of SLS in 2018. For this test series, the fuel tanks are filled with nonflammable liquid nitrogen and pressurized with gaseous nitrogen to simulate flight conditions. The nitrogen is chilled to the same temperature as the oxygen and hydrogen under launch conditions.



The Orion Stage Adapter connects the Orion spacecraft to the ICPS. It is 4.8 feet tall, with a 16.8-foot bottom diameter and 18-foot top diameter.



The first integrated flight for SLS and Orion will allow NASA to use the lunar vicinity as a proving ground to test systems farther from Earth, and demonstrate Orion can get to a stable orbit in the area of space near the moon in order to support sending humans to deep space, including the Journey to Mars.

For more information about the powerful SLS rocket, check out: http://nasa.gov/SLS.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com/

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[Борис Лучников]

Astro Cat пишет:
Мда. Они ЛОС собрались лепить. А то летать некуда. )))

В другой теме обсуждалось, хочу уточнить - ЛОС будет на орбите высотой 77 тысяч км от поверхности Луны?

Орион к ЛОС будет летать с сервисным модулем?

[Борис Лучников]

Названы первые 10 заказов на пуски американской сверхтяжелой ракеты            29/03/2017                             Просмотров: 22             

NASA определилось с планами по первым 10 пускам сверхтяжелой ракеты Space Launch System (SLS). Материалы соответствующей презентации главы подразделения агентства по пилотируемым полетам Билла Герстенмайера, представленные экспертному совету, опубликовало издание Ars Technica.
Первый испытательный пуск SLS запланирован на 2018 год. Пока не известно, будет ли данная миссия пилотируемой. В 2022 году при помощи сверхтяжелой ракеты ожидается отправка к Европе, спутнику Юпитера, миссии «Europa Clippe»r. В течение 2023-2025 года NASA планирует произвести три пилотируемых запуска SLS, целью которых станет создание станции на орбите Луны. Вероятно, в качестве ее прототипа выступит один из шести рассматриваемых в настоящее время проектов для обитания человека в условиях дальнего космоса.

В ходе первого из трех стартов планируется вывод на окололунную орбиту мощной двигательной установки. Миссия четырех астронавтов продлится 8-21 суток. В ходе второго запуска SLS на окололунную орбиту планируется отправить жилой модуль, а во время третьего — материально-технический. На этом, согласно Герстенмайеру, развертывание базовой станции завершится, к ее дальнейшей модернизации могут быть привлечены частные компании.


Предполагается, что окололунная база станет форпостом для пилотируемых полетов в дальний космос, прежде всего, к Марсу. В 2027 году планируется запуск 41-тонного жилого модуля, затем — материально-технического модуля. На 2029 год запланировано испытание связки из двух модулей — в течение 300-400 суток в них будут жить и работать четыре астронавта. Данная проверка, имитирующая годовую марсианскую миссию, станет последней.
После этого в начале 2030 годов два марсианских модуля снабдят дополнительными логистическими и транспортными средствами, туда также прибудут большие запасы топлива. На 2033 год запланирован старт марсианской миссии — он предполагает пролет мимо Венеры и непродолжительное пребывание на орбите Марса.
 Пилотируемый полет к Марсу наряду с обнаружением внеземной жизни считаются главными задачами NASA. В настоящее время практически готовы лунно-марсианские ракета SLS и корабль «Orion», на это потрачено более 40 миллиардов долларов. В миссиях к спутнику Земли также заинтересованы частные компании, прежде всего SpaceX, Blue Origin и Orbital ATK. Кроме того, первая компания запланировала в 2018 году отправить туристов к Луне, а в 2020 году — беспилотную миссию на Марс.
http://aboutspacejornal.net/2017/03/29/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%8B-%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B2%D1%8B%D0%B5-10-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8-%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8/

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Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 38 мин. назад

ARTICLE: SLC-41 completes EES installation ahead of Starliner missions - (plus SLS EES upd ate) - https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/04/slc-41-completes-ees-starliner-missions/ ...

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https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/04/slc-41-completes-ees-starliner-missions/

SLC-41 completes EES installation ahead of Starliner missions
April 3, 2017 by Chris Bergin
 
 

An Emergency Egress System (EES) has completed its installation into the Crew Access Tower (CAT) at Space Launch Complex -41 (SLC-41) in preparation for Atlas V launches with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The EES is a vital element for all crew launch vehicles, with the SLC-41 EES working with the traditional "slide wire" concept.
 
 SLC-41 EES:

The requirement to have an Emergency Egress System (EES) is not just for the astronauts se t to ride uphill fr om the launch pad, but also for the engineering teams who's role includes working up close and personal with the rocket in the final days of the pad flow.



ULA began evaluating options for SLC-41 during a period Atlas V was catering for two crew-capable vehicles options, namely Starliner – or CST-100 as it was known – and Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) and their Dream Chaser spacecraft.

"Different options for emergency egress. Detailed hazard analysis of the launch operations is a key determinant," noted the since-retired Dr. George Sowers, ULA VP for Human Launch Services, during a Q&A session with NASASpaceFlight.com members in 2012. "We have the option of implementing a shuttle-like slide wire system if required."

Although Atlas V is still hoping to launch Dream Chaser missions, the spacecraft's role has been refocused on cargo missions. The EES option will still be employed for pad crews tending to the spacecraft. However, the highlighted role will be for astronauts riding on the Starliner.

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The historical heritage of the EES hardware has mainly been based around utilizing a fairly simple, gravity-powered systems with a requirement to be passive/unpowered, in case the emergency cut power to the pad. However, each option had a different take on a similar theme.



The first EES for the Saturn V used the existing launch tower elevators to evacuate crew and/or engineers to the base of the Mobile Launch Platform, before transferring to a "slide tube" that led in an underground rubber room/sealed blast room – which remains in a preserved condition at Complex 39. (Large photo collection available on L2 – LINK).

A second system was added a few years later, adding the option of a single cab on a slide wire that egressed the astronauts outside of the pad perimeter – known as the Blast Danger Area (BDA) – 2,400 feet away fr om the pad. From there, they would enter a sealed bunker and await rescue.

This slide wire system was expanded by the time the Space Shuttle began its service for NASA, with extra emphasis on the pad EES, not least because a pad abort was not possible via the vehicle, due to the lack of a LAS.



Engineers installed five slide wires to the launch tower – later expanded to seven – with baskets that could hold up to four people each.

These slidewires ended at the same Apollo bunkers outside the BDA, wh ere personnel could wait out the disaster or transfer to an armored vehicle (M-113) and drive to a triage site wh ere they could be met by rescue personnel.

The slide wire option remained relatively unchanged throughout its career with the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) and was thankfully never required or used in anger.

It was used – mostly uncrewed – during emergency drills carried out on occasions such as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), allowing the crew to practice their evacuation plans.



With ULA working on SLC-41 during regular Atlas V missions, this week's announcement that a final test of the pad's EES has been conducted is another step towards seeing US astronauts launching from the Cape.

"ULA is absolutely focused on the safety of the crews we will be supporting and although we hope to never use it, we are excited to announce the Emergency Egress System is fully operational," said Gary Wentz, Vice President of Human & Commercial Services.

"Through our partnership with Terra-Nova, a company that designs and builds zip lines for recreational use, a modified, off-the-shelf product has been designed and constructed to meet our needs and reduce costs, while maintaining reliability and safety."



The egress cables are situated on level 12 of the Crew Access Tower (CAT), 172 feet above the Space Launch Complex 41 pad deck and will allow the crew to evacuate the CAT quickly to a landing zone more than 1,340 feet from the launch vehicle.

The EES can accommodate up to 20 personnel, including ground crew and flight crew.

ULA noted that Terra-Nova, LLC (makers of the ZipRider Hybrid) offered a commercially developed EES based on their "off-the-shelf," patented designs.

The ZipRider was easily adaptable to ULA's specific needs while offering an unmatched safety record, and providing the best overall value.



With Boeing's Chris Ferguson – a former Shuttle commander – enjoying a test ride on the system ahead of its installation at SLC-41, it takes just 30 seconds for the rider to reach a top speed of 40 mph. The riders control their speed by releasing pressure on the handles, with the ability to glide to a gentle stop at the landing zone.

There are 30 feet of springs on each cable located in the landing area to gradually slow a rider down if they forget to brake. Terra-Nova will install a training system located north of the CAT for riders to practice on before final training on the operational EES.

"Crew safety is paramount, and the ULA emergency egress system hits the mark for an effective yet simple system that is adapted from other commercial applications," said Commander Ferguson, Boeing director of Starliner Crew and Mission Systems.
 
"We look forward to spaceflight operations next year knowing that every measure to protect the flight and ground crew has been employed."

There's also been internal movement on the EES that will be employed for the Space Launch System (SLS) on Pad 39B, years after a trade study began to evaluate the best EES option for safely evacuating crew and engineers from the dizzy heights of the Mobile Launcher (ML). Teams have been told to accelerate options in light of the recent study into changing Exploration Mission -1 (EM-1) into a crewed mission.



Currently, only one patchy render of the system has been acquired (L2) – showing the use of a massive crane.

"Members of the Operations Integration and Analysis team developed, modeled, and created images of an Emergency Egress System concept in support of the Crewed SLS EM-1 Mission Study," noted a memo via L2.

"The orange frame depicts the fixture with the four baskets lifted by a mobile crane and attached to the west side of the Mobile Launcher. The ground distance from the tower to the end of the slide wire is over 1100 feet, and the wire would be approximately 1300ft long. These images were used in the crewed EM-1 impact briefing to NASA Headquarters."

The use of a massive crane will be far cheaper than the recommended option from the 2006 study for the since-cancelled Ares I launch vehicle EES, once again pitching several very different designs against each other – including a slide wire system.



The winner of the 2006 study was the spectacular Roller Coaster EES – a giant structure that would have been a permanent fixture out at Pad 39B, rising into the Florida skyline ready to be hooked up to the ML once it had rolled out to the pad with the vehicle.

The Roller Coaster EES included a multi-car high-speed rail system and used gravity to get personnel to a safe haven. It was deemed to be very accommodating to incapacitated crew members as well as limited 3G forces on the people riding the cars with a passive electromagnetic braking system.

It underwent a few redesigns during the life of the Constellation Program, including options to extend the rails to an area outside the BDA directly into a triage site.



For this system, NASA relied on many different areas of expertise: Safety, Medical, Operations Personnel, and the Astronaut Office. Engineers involved in Disney's roller coaster systems were also part of the design project.

The 2006 trade study – (available on L2 LINK) – helped explain the requirements of the future EES, of which there are numerous considerations. These considerations will be playing into the SLS trade study discussions.

"The EES starts at the crew hatch of the Orion and terminates at the designated safe area. Once the crew access arm is extended, a maximum of 2 minutes for 15 able bodied personnel (six crew members, three closeout crew members, and six fire/rescue members) is allowed to move from the hatch to inside the safe area during vehicle processing at the pad up to T-0.



"The EES shall provide a safe area built to withstand possible blast, fire, and flying debris within the 5,000-ft blast danger area of the tower. The EES shall accommodate the following hazards at the pad: fire, propellant spills, tank overpressure, radioactive-material release, and toxic atmosphere.

"The EES shall provide a clear route from Orion hatch to the egress vehicles with provision for 0.25 gpm/sq ft of water spray and fire detection for the EES before entering the vehicles."

The list continued for two pages, and despite being by far the most expensive, the Roller Coaster EES scored the highest in nearly all of the requirement categories.



The 2006 study design was refined again in 2008, mainly relating to the initial drop from the ML, in turn providing a CGI view from both onboard the coaster and viewing it drop from various viewpoints (L2 Link to Video).

However, the Constellation Program was then canceled.

Pad 39A's EES will be mainly focused around the needs of the pad engineers, given astronauts onboard the Dragon 2 will find their spacecraft will be the fastest way of egressing the pad in the event of an emergency ahead of launch.

Dragon 2 will fire her SuperDraco thrusters in the event of a pad abort scenario, as has already been tested.

(Images: Via Boeing, ULA and L2's specific sections. To join L2, click here: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/l2/)

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NASA Kennedy / KSC‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASAKennedy 30 мин. назад

Crawler-Transporter 2 is really racking up the miles! (FYI, the Crawler's speedometer goes all the way up to 2mph!) https://go.nasa.gov/2oul8Dc

https://blogs.nasa.gov/kennedy/2017/04/03/crawler-transporter-2-takes-test-drive-along-crawlerway/

Crawler-Transporter 2 Takes Test Drive along Crawlerway
Posted on April 3, 2017 at 12:13 pm by Linda Herridge.

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NASA's crawler-transporter 2 (CT-2) took a test drive along the crawlerway at Kennedy Space Center to determine the structural dynamics and loading environments of the crawler's recent upgrades. The test was performed to ensure that the crawler is ready to support the first integrated flight of the agency's Orion spacecraft atop the Space Launch System.

The unloaded CT-2 rolled from the crawler yard along the crawlerway to the Pad A/B split for the first leg of the trip and traveled back to the mobile launcher platform park site near the Vehicle Assembly Building. For the loaded test, the crawler picked up Mobile Launch Platform 1 at the park site and returned to the Pad A/B split. Engineers took measurements during the entire trek using accelerometers, strain gauges and pressure transducers. The data collected will be used to validate the dynamic model of the integrated SLS.

CT-2 is the vehicle that will carry the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft on the mobile launcher to Pad B for launch. The behemoth vehicle recently was upgraded to support the heavier load of the SLS atop the mobile launcher.

Upgrades to the crawler included installation of new generators, gear assemblies, jacking, equalizing and leveling (JEL) hydraulic cylinders, roller bearings and brakes. Other systems also were upgraded.

The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing upgrades to facilities and ground support equipment necessary to support the launch and deep space missions, including the Journey to Mars.

Photo credit: NASA/Leif Heimbold

 This entry was posted in Ground Systems Development and Operations Program, Journey to Mars, Kennedy on April 3, 2017 by Linda Herridge.

[Salo]

 Eric Berger‏Подлинная учетная запись @SciGuySpace  13 ч.13 часов назад  
This is viewed as a selling point by NASA. If your principal aim is stability and survival, maybe it is.

 Jeff Foust @jeff_foust
Todd May of MSFC notes SLS has about 1,100 contracts in 43 states, including 800 with small businesses. #33SS

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Orbital ATK‏Подлинная учетная запись @OrbitalATK 26 мин. назад

Orbital ATK operators line a center forward booster segment case for the second flight of @NASA_SLS prior to installing insulation

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Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 14 мин. назад

FEATURE ARTICLE: NASA finally sets goals, missions for SLS - eyes multi-step plan to Mars - https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/04/nasa-goals-missions-sls-eyes-multi-step-mars/ ... - by @CwG_NSF

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[/B]

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/04/nasa-goals-missions-sls-eyes-multi-step-mars/

NASA finally sets goals, missions for SLS – eyes multi-step plan to Mars
April 6, 2017 by Chris Gebhardt

 

After years without concrete missions beyond the current EM-2 test flight, NASA has finally unveiled a plan for multiple missions of its SLS rocket. The plan would see NASA initiate a multi-step approach to human exploration in cislunar space while simultaneously developing the architecture to enable human missions to Mars – all of which is dependant on funding fr om the U.S. Congress, which is currently seeking deep cuts to U.S. government spending.

Спойлер

NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017:

As part of the agency's standard updates to the NASA Advisory Council (NAC), Bill Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD), has presented the NAC with the agency's Deep Space Gateway and Transport Plan.



According to the accompanying HEOMD presentation, the Deep Space Gateway and Transport Plan's goal is to "lead an effort that expands human presence deeper into the solar system through a sustainable human and robotic spaceflight program."

As Mr. Gerstenmaier stated, "the good news here is that this is really unchanged fr om where we've been. This is consistent from the past administration and is consistent for the current administration."

Now, however, the Deep Space Gateway and Transport plan relates directly to the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017.

Under the authorization act, NASA's long term goals are: "(1) to expand permanent human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and to do so, wh ere practical, in a manner involving international, academic, and industry partners;

"(2) crewed missions and progress toward achieving the goal in [paragraph one] to enable the potential for subsequent human exploration and the extension of human presence throughout the solar system; and

"(3) to enable a capability to extend human presence, including potential human habitation on another celestial body and a thriving space economy in the 21st Century."

Deep Space Gateway and Transport Plan:

To fulfill the goals set forth in the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017, the HEOMD is operating on a refined five phase plan stretching from "now" to the "2030s".



The first phase, Phase 0, involves the current utilization of the International Space Station.

According to the HEOMD presentation to NAC, Phase 0 will "Solve exploration mission challenges through research and systems testing on the ISS."

Phase 0 will also help NASA "Understand if and when lunar resources are available."

For the lunar resources aspect, Mr. Gerstenmaier stated to the NAC, "We've talked about Lunar Resource Prospector. We've talked about some way of going to the surface of the moon in the regions that are potentially volatile rich.

"So we really want a mission that can go to the surface of the moon, characterize the volatiles that are there, at what quantities they're there. I think we've done about all we can from orbit ... and I think to really understand if they're usable and if they fit into some other architecture, we need to really go down to the surface to do that."



Following Phase 0, Phase 1 in the 2020s will see NASA undertake missions to cislunar space for construction efforts of the agency's new Deep Space Gateway (DSG).

Phase 2 will see construction of the Deep Space Transport (DST) and its subsequent shakedown and verification.

In the 2030s, Phases 3 and 4 – which the HEOMD presentation does not distinguish between – will see the DST utilized for "missions to the Mars system, the surface of Mars."

Presumably, the "Mars system" language refers to previously notional missions to one of Mars' two moons – Phobos or Deimos – before committing to human landings on the surface of the Red Planet.

Of the five phase approach, the HEOMD presentation to the NAC went into specific detail about Phases 1 and 2 of the plan.

Phase 1:

According to the HEOMD presentation, the DSG "provides ability to support multiple NASA, U.S. commercial, and international partner objectives in Phase 1 and beyond."



Specifically, the DSG will be designed for deep space environments to support a "crew of 4 for total missions up to 42 days" as long as Orion is docked to the DSG.

Moreover, according to Mr. Gerstenmaier, "The purpose of this Deep Space Gateway is that it can support activities towards the surface of the moon. It could be a transportation node to the surface of the moon. It can also be maneuvered into a high elliptical lunar orbit, a rectilinear orbit around the moon.

"It can essentially be a staging point to go beyond the Earth-Moon system."

Mr. Gerstenmaier also specifically noted that the DSG is a "piece of hardware that stays in space for multiple decades."
 
Under the Phase 1 plan, NASA would utilize its SLS rocket for four dedicated DSG construction missions.

Notably, this provides the first concrete representation of SLS's potential missions beyond the currently planned EM-2 flight.

Overall, though, the Phase 1 plan includes six SLS flights.

The first SLS mission, EM-1, according to the HEOMD 28 March 2017 presentation, shows an uncrewed EM-1 mission launching on an SLS Block 1 vehicle in 2018.



This EM-1 mission would be a 26-40 day mission to a Distant Retrograde Orbit around the moon.

Interestingly, this is a significantly longer EM-1 mission than previously discussed by NASA – which had until now showed EM-1 as a No Longer Than three week flight.

Importantly, this description of an uncrewed EM-1 flight should not be read as any indication from NASA that their study into flying EM-1 as a crewed flight is off the table.

Bill Gerstenmaier noted specifically to the NAC that NASA's teams are still investigating a crewed EM-1 flight and that no decision had been reached at this point.

EM-1, under the Phase 1 plan, would then be followed in the 2022-ish timeframe by the first flight of the SLS 1B Cargo vehicle.



This flight would be used to launch NASA's Europa Clipper mission on a direct trajectory flight to Jupiter.

This would afford NASA the opportunity to both demonstrate the SLS's cargo launch ability for outer solar system robotic exploration missions and to verify the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) in flight prior to flying a crewed mission using the EUS.

Curiously, the HEOMD presentation lists the Europa Clipper launch on SLS as "subject to approval", and Mr. Gerstenmaier talked somewhat extensively about the other launch option available.

This is highly suspect given Congress' mandate via legislation (essentially, Congress has made it the law) that Europa Clipper's launch be on an SLS rocket.



Regardless, after the SLS Europa Clipper mission in 2022, the next four years would see one SLS crewed flight per year.

The first, called EM-2 in the plan (a viewpoint into how the new SLS manifest will shake out in terms of what EM-2 might now look like), will see SLS and a four person crew launch on an 8-21 day "Multi-TLI Lunar Free Return" mission to deliver the first element of the DSG to cis-lunar space.

The DSG component is slated to be the 8-9 metric tonne (mT) Power and Propulsion Bus – of the same design as the one that would have been used on the now-defunct Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission – capable of generating 40 kW of power.



The Power and Propulsion Bus will also have 12kW thrusters for maneuverability and will also have chemical propulsion capability as well, noted Mr. Gerstenmaier.

Importantly, Mr. Gerstenmaier noted that Orion and the 4-person crew of EM-2 would not dock to this power bus.

This EM-2 mission would be followed in 2024 by EM-3 – a 4 person flight to deliver the ≤10 mT Habitation module to the DSG – which at this point would have maneuvered into a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO).

EM-3 would last between 16 and 26 days and would be the first flight capable of performing scientific objectives on the DSG.



This mission would be followed by a commercially-contracted Cislunar Support Flight (CSF).

"[The Deep Space Gateway] doesn't preclude the commercial industries or using their vehicles to take significant logistics to this gateway," noted Mr. Gerstenmaier.

"This is a demonstrable, objective way to build the skills ... as directed by the Authorization Act."

The EM-4 mission would then follow in 2025 with a 4 person crew to add a ≤10mT Logistic module (which will include a Canadian-built robotic arm) to the DSG.



At this point, the DSG could support a 4-person crew for up to 42 days and would have the ability to "translate to/from other cislunar orbits" from its NRHO.

EM-4 would be followed by another commercially-contracted CSF before the final Phase 1 flight in 2026 of the EM-5 mission to deliver the ≤10mT airlock to the DSG.

As with EM-4, EM-5 would last between 26-42 days and would have the ability to translate between cislunar orbits.

According to Mr. Gerstenmaier, these EM-4 and EM-5 extended missions would replace the crewed Asteroid Redirect mission, with the goals of longer-duration cislunar flights shifting to these DSG missions.

Moreover, the Japan Aerospace and eXploration Agency (JAXA) has expressed interest in adding a further module to the DSG, noted Mr. Gerstenmaier.

Phase 2:

Phase 2 would begin in 2027 via a series of three flights – starting with a commercially-contracted CSF mission.



After this, 2027 would see two SLS flights.

The first SLS mission would be an uncrewed cargo flight, called EM-6 (confirming that uncrewed SLS missions can received an "EM" flight designation), to deliver the ≤41t Deep Space Transport (DST) into cislunar space.

The DST would be docked remotely to the DSG.

Under the Phase 2 plan, EM-6 would be followed later in 2027 by a 4 person crewed SLS flight, EM-7, on a logistics module run to the DSG/DST.

In addition to bringing logistics to the DSG/DST, the EM-7 crew would also perform a 191-221 day NRHO checkout mission of the DST (while the DST remains docked to the DSG).



In 2028, another commercially-contracted CSF mission would occur before the EM-8 mission – an uncrewed DST logistics and refueling flight of the SLS Block 1B cargo vehicle.

Notably, EM-8 is listed as the last flight of the SLS Block 1B design.

The following year, 2029, would see the introduction of the SLS Block 2 variant – with advanced side-mounted boosters.

This first Block 2 flight would be the EM-9 mission, a crewed flight with 4 astronauts.



EM-9 would see the 4 person crew rendezvous with the docked DSG/DST spacecraft and perform at 300-400 day DST shakedown mission in cislunar space.

According to Mr. Gerstenmaier, "This will verify that the vehicle we're going to take to Mars can operate on its own for one year and is ready to go do its three year trip to Mars."

Furthermore, the goal of the one-year shakedown is to operate as if it were a three year mission to Mars by placing all of the logistics, all of the supplies, all of the spares on the vehicle and simulating – as safely as possible – the habitat and crew's ability to function without a direct rocket supply line to Earth.

Ultimately, though, this shakedown will have the ability to terminate quickly should the need arise.

Right now, the plan for this year-long mission would be to keep the DST docked with the DGS, though Mr. Gerstenmaier did note that there is an option to undock the DST to perform a solo year-long shakedown cruise.

At this point, according to the HEOMD presentation and Mr. Gerstenmaier, the stage would be set for the agency's first human flight to Mars.



A commercial CSF flight would then kick off NASA's Mars campaign ahead of a "2030+" timeframe launch of the EM-10 mission, a Block 2 SLS cargo run to DSG/DST for logistics and refueling.

This would be followed in the same general "2030+" timeframe by EM-11.

The EM-11 crew would board the DST, undock it from the DSG, and take the DST on a Mars transit mission.

Overall, NASA envisions the DST as capable of supporting a 4-person crew on a 1,000 day mission to Mars.

Moreover, the DST would be used for three Mars-class missions before needing to be replaced.

A forward plan, but what about funding?

As with all federal agencies, bringing this plan to fruition is entirely dependent on the materialization of funding from the U.S. Congress.



Currently, the U.S. government will run out of money at the end of the day on 28 April 2017 unless Congress can pass and the White House sign a complete or temporary spending bill.

Moreover, while the stated goals of the Deep Space Gateway and Transport Plan are certainly ambitious and hold the potential to see NASA realize and utilize the SLS rocket and its capabilities, the U.S. Congress as well as the White House are currently seeking deep cuts to U.S. federal spending.

Despite promising words from President Trump when he signed the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 last month, it remains to be seen exactly what NASA's spending priorities are for Congress and whether the agency's funding line will increase accordingly to allow for a successful implementation for its announced initiatives.



Mr. Gerstenmaier specifically referenced the need for NASA to have a clear understanding of what the ultimate Fiscal Year 2018 budget for the agency will be.

"From our standpoint in HEOMD, it's real important that we get some solid understanding of what the budget is," noted Mr. Gerstenmaier to the NAC.

"We're in a very critical phase of development wh ere we need budget certainty so we can do the right planning from a contract standpoint, from a hardware and build standpoint, and an operational timeline standpoint."

Regardless, the fact that NASA has announced an architecture and multi-flight plan for SLS as well as a staged approach for its goal of landing humans on Mars by the 2030s is a promising step for the agency and for the role SLS will play in human and robotic exploration initiatives over the next two decades.

(Images: NASA and L2 artist Nathan Koga – The full gallery of Nathan's (SpaceX Dragon to MCT, SLS, Commercial Crew and more) L2 images can be *found here*))

[свернуть]

[Salo]

tnt22, не повторяйте моей ошибки - никогда не цитируйте статьи с NSF полностью. Chris Bergin это очень не любит.

[tnt22]

Salo, Благодарствую за совет  :oops:

[Salo]

Не за что.

[tnt22]

Управление Генерального инспектора НАСА 2017-04-13 выпустило документ "NASA's Plans for Human Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit" (77 стр, 6694172 B)

https://oig.nasa.gov/audits/reports/FY17/IG-17-017.pdf

и видео

https://oig.nasa.gov/Video/IG-17-017.html
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj_dSRTCJ6U - 4:39)