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Technologies for Exploration

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Technologies for Exploration SP-1254 SP-1254 TTechnologiesechnologies forfor ExplorationExploration T echnologies forExploration AuroraAurora ProgrammeProgramme Proposal:Proposal: Annex Annex DD Contact: ESA Publications Division c/o ESTEC, PO Box 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands Tel. (31) 71 565 3400 - Fax (31) 71 565 5433 SP-1254 November 2001 Technologies for Exploration Aurora Programme Proposal: Annex D This report was written by the staff of ESA’s Directorate of Technical and Operational Support. Published by: ESA Publications Division ESTEC, PO Box 299 2200 AG Noordwijk The Netherlands Editor/layout: Andrew Wilson Copyright: © 2001 European Space Agency ISBN: 92-9092-616-3 ISSN: 0379-6566 Printed in: The Netherlands Price: €30 / 70 DFl technologies for exploration Technologies for Exploration Contents 1 Introduction 3 2 Exploration Milestones 3 3 Explorations Missions 3 4Technology Development and Associated Cost 5 5 Conclusion 6 Annex 1: Automated Guidance, Navigation & Control A1.1 and Mission Analysis Annex 2: Micro-Avionics A2.1 Annex 3: Data Processing and Communication Technologies A3.1 Annex 4: Entry, Descent and Landing A4.1 Annex 5: Crew Aspects of Exploration A5.1 Annex 6: In Situ Resource Utilisation A6.1 Annex 7: Power A7.1 Annex 8: Propulsion A8.1 Annex 9: Robotics and Mechanisms A9.1 Annex 10: Structures, Materials and Thermal Control A10.1 1 Table 1. Exploration Milestones for the Definition of Technology Readiness Requirements. 2005-2010 In situ resource utilisation/life support (ground demonstration) Decision on development of alternative power sources Soft landing (Moon, Mars, asteroids) Interplanetary transfer stage In situ characterisation/resource utilisation test (Moon, Mars, asteroids) In situ exobiology (Mars) Communication network (Mars) / network of satellites Autonomous rendezvous & docking demonstration flight 2010-2020 Robotic precursor missions Sample return (Mars, asteroids) Knowledge base about humans ‘living in space’ Operational Moon mission (In Situ Resource Utilisation & life support) Man-rated soft-landing (Moon) Robotic planetary outpost / deep drilling Planetary ‘Internet’ capability (planetary relay satellites) In situ resources utilisation (Moon, Mars, asteroids) Closed-cycle life support 2020-2030 Infrastructure operational on martian surface Man-rated interplanetary transfer vehicles Man-rated soft-landing (Mars) Manned mission to Mars Human mobility on planetary surface technologies for exploration 1 Introduction This document provides an assessment of key technology areas for the Aurora Programme on Robotic and Human Exploration of the Solar System. Reference phases for exploration are defined within a preliminary scenario. This takes the status of discussion for the longer-term intentions in manned spaceflight into account and matches it with the known robotic exploration missions. This scenario is then overlaid with generic exploration missions, as suggested by the ESTEC workshop of April 2001 (see Section 2), in order to establish the timeframe for the required technology development. Key technology areas are then defined and an assessment is made of the maturity of these key technologies with respect to the needs. The Technology Dossiers in the annexes provide a first definition of the corresponding technology development and cost plans. A final overall funding profile is elaborated taking ESA internal (TRP, GSTP) and national activities into account as available. Only additional activities specific to exploration are listed. The resulting funding profile must be considered indicative only, especially for the later years, because of the preliminary nature of the mission scenario and defined exploration mile- stones. For the 3-year preparatory phase of the Aurora Programme, however, choices will have to be made on the most urgent generic technology developments, so that the resulting funding requests are in line with the available funding. 2 Exploration Milestones For the purpose of this document, a sequence of Exploration milestones was derived on the basis of two sources. Firstly, from recent publications and press statements it was concluded that an international manned mission to Mars might be launched in 2030. Secondly, during the Workshop on Robotic and Human Exploration of the Solar System, held at ESTEC on 3/4 April 2001, scientists recommended the following sequence for planetary exploration: orbiters, landers, in situ robotic exploration, sample return, robotic precursors to manned missions, and manned exploration. This led to the definition of the reference Exploration Milestones in Table 1. 3 Exploration Missions The milestones defined above and exploration missions already decided or in an advanced stage of planning set the timeframe for new missions that might be chosen within the Aurora Programme. Table 2 (p.4) shows approved and planned missions, demonstrating the compatibility of the proposed programme with the existing activities. 3 r SP-1254 able 2. Solar System Exploration Missions. T 4 technologies for exploration 4Technology Development and Associated Cost Once the mission phases are defined in the programme above, technology development schedules can be tied to it by requiring that a technology for a given mission must have reached a sufficient level of readiness at the start of the mission’s Phase-B activities. The elaboration of technology development compatible with the exploration programme defined above has also allowed identification of those technology areas for which work should be conducted immediately. The final selection of these areas and their proposed initial funding needs to take the following further criteria into account: — The available funding through ESA’s Technology Research Programme (TRP), General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and the General Studies Programme (GSP). For 2001 and 2002, significant funding has already been allocated or is foreseen in areas of direct interest to exploration. Particularly relevant from this point of view are the ongoing technology development activities of the Agency’s Scientific Programmes, most notably for BepiColombo. Overall, these activities will allow a smooth start in several areas of the Aurora Programme compatible with the limited funding available. For future years, continuation of these activities will be one the tasks of the Aurora Programme. — The ongoing and planned activities of the national programmes. These aspects are dealt with in the Annexes to the best of the Agency’s knowledge and will need to be revisited in the near future in close cooperation with the representatives of the national agencies. — The generic nature of the technology and its applicability for a range of exploration missions, in line with the preparatory nature of the first 3 years of activities. The definitions and considerations outlined above lead to the funding requirements listed in Table 3 (p.6). The overall level of resources quoted in the table is generally consistent with the goals of the Aurora Programme. Depending on the final mission selection in some areas, however, significantly higher funding would be needed for optimum utilisation and a consistent, well-structured enhancement of Europe’s existing industrial capabilities. In other areas, it is expected that national programmes could provide a significant contribution. The proposed funding therefore has to be considered as indicative, with some elements still open for different contributions. In particular, for the years 2005/2006 it should be noted that significant hardware development is expected to take place and any change in priorities may have a significant impact. During the preparatory period of the programme, the proposed investments will have to be scrutinised while taking into account the available funding 5 r SP-1254 Table 3. Exploration Initiative: Preliminary Cost Plan (in € million). Activity 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Control and Data Systems 0.5 1.2 2.3 3.8 5.0 Micro Avionics 0.2 0.9 2.2 3.0 3.2 Data Processing and Communications 0.4 1.5 1.9 3.0 3.8 Entry, Descent and Landing 0.9 2.0 2.9 3.5 3.7 Crew Aspects of Exploration 0.2 1.8 3.9 4.3 7.8 In Situ Resource Utilisation 0.2 0.7 1.3 2.6 2.6 Power 0.3 1.0 2.9 5.5 6.7 Propulsion 0.4 0.9 1.6 5.5 11.2 Robotics and Mechanisms 0.5 2.9 4.6 9.6 17.3 Structures, Materials and Thermal Control 0.9 2.3 3.2 5.5 5.5 TOTAL 4.5 15.2 26.8 46.3 66.8 and the European and national priorities. The prioritisation of the proposed development plan will have to take into account the potential cooperation with the international partners in the long term. 5 Conclusion This document provides an assessment of key technology areas for the Aurora Programme on Robotic and Human Exploration of the Solar System. Key technology areas are then defined and an assessment is made of the maturity of these key technologies with respect to the needs. The technology dossiers in the Annexes provide a first definition of corresponding technology development and cost plans. These documents are intended as a reference for future work and will have to be further enhanced, taking into account in particular the ongoing industrial and scientific investigations, before converging on the definition of a European Framework for Exploration. 6 Annex 1 Automated Guidance, Navigation & Control and Mission Analysis annex 1: automated guidance, navigation & control and mission analysis Annex 1 Contents 1 Automated Guidance, Navigation & Control A1.5 1.1 Introduction A1.5 1.2 Automated Rendezvous A1.7 1.2.1 Justification A1.8 1.2.2 Background A1.9
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