sign in sign up
<<
Home , Genesis (spacecraft)

Planetary Science Division Status Report

Jim Green NASA, Planetary Science Division November 14, 2017

Presentation at VEXAG Planetary Science Missions Events 2016 March – Launch of ESA’s ExoMars July 4 – inserted in Jupiter orbit * Completed September 8 – Launch of Asteroid mission OSIRIS – REx to asteroid Bennu September 30 – Landing on CG October 19 – ExoMars EDM landing and TGO orbit insertion 2017 January 4 – Discovery Mission selection announced February 9-20 - OSIRIS-REx began -Trojan search April 22 – Cassini begins plane change maneuver for the “Grand Finale” August 21 – Solar Eclipse across America September 15 – Cassini end of mission at Saturn September 22 – OSIRIS-REx Earth flyby October 28 – International Observe the night (1st quarter) 2018 May 5 - Launch InSight mission to Mars August – OSIRIS-REx arrival at Bennu October – Launch of ESA’s BepiColombo to Mercury November 26 – InSight landing on Mars 2019 January 1 – flyby of Kuiper Belt object 2014MU69 Formulation Implementation Primary Ops BepiColombo Lunar Extended Ops (ESA) Reconnaissance Orbiter New Horizons

Psyche

Juno

JUICE (ESA) ExoMars 2016 MMX MAVEN MRO (ESA) (JAXA) Mars (ESA) Odyssey OSIRIS-REx ExoMars 2020 (ESA) Mars Rover InSight 2020 Rover Rover NEOWISE Discovery Program

NEO characteristics: Mars evolution: Lunar formation: of dust/coma: sampling: NEAR (1996-1999) (1996-1997) (1998-1999) (1999-2011) Genesis (2001-2004)

Comet diversity: Mercury environment: Comet internal structure: Lunar Internal Structure Main-belt asteroids: CONTOUR (2002) MESSENGER (2004-2015) (2005-2012) GRAIL (2011-2012) Dawn (2007-TBD)

Exoplanets Lunar surface: ESA/Mercury Surface: Mars Interior: Trojan Asteroids: Metal Asteroids: Kepler (2009-TBD) LRO (2009-TBD) Strofio (2017-TBD) InSight (2018) Lucy (2021) (2022) NEW Discovery Missions for Flight

Launch in 2022

Launch in 2021 14 New Frontiers Program

1st NF mission 2nd NF mission 3rd NF mission New Horizons: Juno: OSIRIS-REx: Pluto-Kuiper Belt Jupiter Polar Orbiter Asteroid Sample Return

Launched January 2006 Launched August 2011 Launched September 2016 Flyby July 14, 2015 Arrived July 4, 2016 PI: Dante Lauretta (UA) PI: Alan Stern (SwRI-CO) PI: Scott Bolton (SwRI-TX) New Frontiers 4 AO

Investigations (listed without priority): – Comet Surface Sample Return – Lunar South Pole-Aitken Basin Sample Return – Ocean Worlds (Titan, Enceladus) – Saturn Probe – Trojan Tour and Rendezvous – 12 Proposals received on …...... April 28, 2017 Step-1 Selections Announced (target)...... December 2017 Phase A Concept Study Reports due...... January 2019 Downselection for Flight (target)...... July 2019 Launch Readiness Date...... NLT Dec. 31, 2025

Mission Studies VEXAG: Venus Bridge

• VEXAG was directed by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate Associate Administrator to determine if useful Venus exploration can be performed within a $200M cost cap, a concept termed Venus Bridge. • Specifically, VEXAG will determine if one or more small missions can perform important science investigations, as defined in VEXAG Goals, Objectives, and Investigations launch dates in the early-to- mid 2020s • The VEXAG Venus Bridge Focus Group was established (2017) to develop the Venus Bridge concept and determine feasibility. • Venus Bridge preliminary findings will be reported later today

8 PSDS3: Venus Studies For SmallSats

• Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat PSDS3 research announcement scope: – Small satellites are defined as less than 180 kilograms in mass (about 400 pounds) – CubeSats are built to standard specifications of 1 unit (U), which is equal to 10x10x10 centimeters – Launched into orbit as auxiliary payloads, significantly reducing costs. • Four Venus PSDS3 studies were selected PSDS3: Venus Studies For SmallSats PSDS3 Venus (4) studies selected: • Valeria Cottini, University of Maryland, College Park: CubeSat UV Experiment (CUVE), a 12-unit CubeSat orbiter to measure ultraviolet absorption and nightglow emissions to understand Venus’ atmospheric dynamics. • Christophe Sotin, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California: Cupid's Arrow, a 30-kilogram probe to measure noble gases and their to investigate the geological evolution of Venus and why Venus and Earth have evolved so differently. • Attila Komjathy, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California: Seismicity Investigation on Venus Using Airglow Measurements (VAMOS), a SmallSat to measure Venusian seismic activity by observing variations in the Venusian nightglow. • Tibor Kremic, NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH: Seismic and Atmospheric Exploration of Venus (SAEVe), an ESPA-class lander to study conditions in the deep atmosphere, surface, and interior of Venus. Venus Gravity Assist Science Opportunities (VEGASO) • The VEGASO panel was chaired by Marcelo Coradini and Sanjay Limaye • The study was conducted from Oct. 2014 to Feb. 2015 to identify opportunistic Venus science that could be done during mission related gravity assist. • Study Goals: • Maximized mission science return. And, • “Cross-discipline interaction among scientists from and planetary communities will produce greater insights into the ’s influences on planetary environments, and observing planets as systems influenced by the space environment in which they live.” • 15 gravity assist fly-bys of Venus will occur by 3spacecraft to be launched during 2018-2028: • BepiColombo (2 VGA) • (7 VGA) • (6 VGA) • VEGASO report is at: • http//www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/reports/VEGASO-04-24-15.pdf High Operating Temperature Technology (HOTTech)

• The Hot Operating Temperature Technology (HOTTech) research announcement supports the advanced development of technologies for the robotic exploration of high-temperature environments, such as the Venus surface, Mercury, or the deep atmosphere of Gas Giants. – Goal: to develop and mature technologies that will enable, significantly enhance, or reduce technical risk for in-situ missions to high-temperature environments (500 Celsius or higher). – HOTTech call was limited to high temperature electrical and electronic systems applicable to in-situ missions.

• The HOTTech selection completed by December 2016 – 13 Selections were made (solar cells, power systems, motor, attenuators, electronics, motor, etc.) – The Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER) will aid in evaluation and test many of these technologies

4 GEER: Glenn Extreme Environment Chamber • NASA Glenn Extreme Environments Rig (GEER) is a unique and world class ground-based test rig that can accurately simulate atmospheric conditions for any planet or moon in the solar system. • GEER enables science investigations and pre-flight development and validation of spacecraft systems and instrumentation at extreme environments.

• GEER is a 28 cubic ft. (800 L) chamber and is able to simulate the extreme temperatures up to 500°C (932° F) and pressure (from near vacuum to over 90 times the Earth’s surface pressure).

• GEER has gas mixing capabilities to reproduce unique planetary environments, such as the very caustic sulfuric acid found in Venus’ atmosphere, or hydrocarbons like methane found in the atmosphere of Jupiter and Saturn. Venera-D Joint Science Definition Team (JSDT) Background: NASA and IKI/Roscosmos established a Venera-D Joint Science Definition Team (JSDT) in 2015.

Study Goal: • Refine the Venera-D mission science goals, priorities, and architecture

• Evaluate the Venera-D concept and study possible NASA contributed element to enhance and complement the mission.

Study Reports: • Phase I report was completed on January 31, 2017

• Phase II report is due on January 31, 2019 Venus Sponsored Activities and Venera D Schedule

Activity• Calendar Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 Venera-D JSDT JSDT Report

Mission Design

Payload Definition

Contributed Element Analysis

Risk Assessment

Final Report HOT Tech program Venus Aerial Platforms Venus Bridge Study PSDS3 PS/ PICASSO, MATISSE Research/GEER 12 NAS Studies for Planetary Science Timeline of Studies • 1st Planetary decadal: 2002-2012 • 2nd Planetary decadal: 2013-2022 • Cubesat Review: Completed June 2016 • Extended Missions Review: Completed Sept 2016 • R&A Restructuring Review: Completed June 2017 • Searching For Life Across Space & Time Sept 2017 • Large Strategic NASA Science Missions – Tasked December 23, 2015 – Report to NASA August 24, 2017 • Midterm evaluation: – Tasked August 26, 2016 – Cubesats, EX Missions, R&A Restructuring & Large Strategic Missions will be input – Expect report to NASA due March 2018 • Sample Analysis Investment Strategy (to start soon) • 3rd Planetary Decadal: 2023-2032 – To be tasked before October 2019 – Expect report to NASA due 1st quarter 2022 • CAPS reviewed completed studies and recommended several more to be completed Mission Studies Completed Thus Far • Mars orbiter – 2015 MEPAG’s Next Orbiter Science Analysis Group • Uranus and Neptune (Ice Giants) system missions – 2017 NASA science definition team report • – 2017 NASA science definition team report • Venus orbiter and lander (Venera-D) – 2017 joint U.S.-Russian science definition team report CAPS Priority Areas Candidates for Large or Medium Class Mission Studies (Unprioritized) Venus exploration missions Additional concepts beyond the Venera-D orbiter and lander Lunar science missions Understanding interior processes and polar volatiles (Volatiles SAT Team-2) Mars sample-return next-step missions Mission elements beyond necessary for second and third phases of a Mars sample-return campaign Mars medium-class missions Multiple mobile explorers, polar explorers, & life-detection. Investigations responsive to new discoveries Dwarf planet missions Large- & medium-class mission concepts to Ceres, Pluto, Triton Io science (NEW FRONTIERS FIVE) Reexamine mission to Io

Saturn system missions Affordable, large strategic missions that visit multiple targets Dedicated space telescope for solar Dynamic phenomena on planetary bodies system science Potential New Opportunity Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) SIMPLEx-2: AO

• SALMON3 – PEA: Third Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON-3) Program Element Appendix (PEA) • Small Complete Missions (SCM): Investigation that can be realized within the PEA-specific Cost Cap. – The term “complete” encompasses all appropriate mission phases from project initiation (Phase A), through all phases of development, mission operations (Phase E), which must include analysis and publication of data in the peer reviewed technical literature, delivery of the data to an appropriate NASA data archive, and closeout (Phase F). SIMPLEx-2 : Overview • Solicits formulation and development of science investigations that require a spaceflight mission that can be accomplished using small spacecraft – ESPA-Class or smaller (< 180Kg) – Solicitation for secondary payload on specific primary missions, which will determine: • Launch readiness date • Initial release trajectory – Cost-capped missions – Continuously Open call with mission-specific deadlines – Foreign Participation will be allowed SIMPLEx-2 : Process Soon: Release Draft Open Call for proposals On-going: Regular Panel Reviews of submitted missions

Mission Specific Milestones: • L-4 years: Cut-off consideration for a specific mission – Select and award ~1 year Phase A/B studies; expected product is PDR-level design – Launch Vehicle is unknown

• L-3 years: Down-select secondary mission(s) for specific primary mission – May be possible to select multiple secondaries for a given primary mission – Selectability coordination with LV selection – Provided for Phase C design/build: • More detailed Launch Vehicle trajectory, environments and interfaces

• L-2 years: Build/test secondary payload

• L-1 years: Build/test/integrate secondary payload 2016 VEXAG Meeting Findings Finding #1

• VEXAG again requests a reassessment of the Venus flagship described in the 2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey (PSDS), before the next Decadal Survey convenes in 2020. The Venus Climate Mission (VCM) was ranked below the Ice Giants flagship, whose detailed study is nearing completion. VCM was ranked equally with Enceladus, which is now a key target in the new Ocean Worlds program. Therefore a Venus flagship mission concept will now also benefit from more detailed study in order to provide a framework to the 2020 deliberations. Driving factors include (1) advancements in instrument maturity that would decrease mass and cost, (2) new concepts in aerial platforms that could enable greater vertical mobility or directed flight, (3) innovation in geophysical techniques and technology that could expand the scope of orbital, aerial, or landed science, (4) the impact of the imminent Discovery selections and upcoming New Frontiers as well as international competitions, and (5) new observations of extrasolar planets that frame Venus in the context of the question: “Does Earth-sized mean Earth-like?”

• Response: With the study of the Venus orbiter and lander (Venera-D) ongoing, PSD projects a Venus flagship study to be performed in the next two years Finding #2

• VEXAG reaffirms its endorsement of the Venus Gravity Assists Science Opportunity (VeGASO). We appreciate that the BepiColombo (BC) mission has already agreed to operate its science instruments during the Venus flybys, and we encourage continued science dialogue about the forthcoming Venus gravity-assist opportunities provided by Solar Probe Plus, Solar Orbiter, Europa Multiple-Flyby Mission, and other future missions. VEXAG suggests that a simple two-step sequence is the most efficient path to VeGASO implementation. Beginning with BC, the flight project first issues a Proposal Information Package (PIP) that would describe (in greater detail than the VeGASO report), the spacecraft trajectory and operating parameters and capabilities of the instruments. Next, NASA and ESA would issue concurrent Participating Scientist (PS) calls that would propose science consistent with the PIP, and selections would be coordinated between NASA and ESA. VEXAG recommends this path to ensure that the best possible detailed science justification for potential investigations rests directly with the proposers. VEXAG will encourage participation by interested US scientists at a VeGASO splinter meeting during the BepiColombo Science Working Team in May 2017.

• Response: ESA is in the process of reviewing the draft BepiColombo PSP opportunity. Finding #3

• VEXAG appreciates recent support from the Planetary Science Division for international science participation and strongly encourages the continued support of these opportunities for collaboration. The VEXAG community is excited by the science results from the Akatsuki mission to Venus and the involvement of NASA’s Participating Scientists in this mission. VEXAG continues to support NASA participation in future international partnerships including mission collaboration and participating scientist programs such as the upcoming European Space Agency’s M5 opportunity. Continued NASA support of the COSPAR International Venus Exploration Working Group will facilitate the needed dialogue among other international partners including ESA, JAXA, IKI, and ISRO.

• Response: PSD plans to continue along this path. Finding #4

• VEXAG encourages NASA to support efforts that engage a broader cross- section of the US science community in the Russian Venera-D mission. We are encouraged by the imminent release of the first report of the Venera-D Joint Science Definition Team and we anticipate continued advancement on this effort. We appreciate NASA’s support of VEXAG’s May 2017 Workshop on Venus Science Priorities for Modeling and Experiments, which will include a program component for Venera-D.

• Response: A joint Venus modelling workshop was held with the goal of engaging the broader community and providing input into the JSDT. Finding #5

• VEXAG encourages NASA to continue its investment in facilities, instruments, and technology maturation that critically enable Venus missions, and we further encourage identification of novel opportunities to deliver these assets to Venus. VEXAG appreciates NASA’s significant investment in facilities like GEER and VICI and the Homesteader, MatISSE, PICASSO, and especially HOTTech programs. VEXAG strongly endorses SmallSat and CubeSat development and the goal of their regular integration into future launches. In particular, VEXAG encourages NASA to consider development of a standardized infrastructure for Venus communications relay (such as the UHF protocols for Mars) that could be sized for such spacecraft. Such a relay could facilitate long-lived surface operations or secondary payload drop-off at Venus.

• Response: PSDS3 had 4 Venus concepts under study in which the results will be discuss at a special session of the LPSC. Draft SIMPLEx soon to be released. Finding #6 • VEXAG encourages NASA to form a cross-divisional research program for Comparative Climatology of the Terrestrial Planets (CCTP). It is essential to understand Venus, Earth, and other solar system worlds in the context of exoplanets, and to leverage our detailed knowledge of Earth and our solar system to understand new data on exoplanets. Understanding Venus and other worlds in the context of solar/stellar forcings is, by its very nature, an interdisciplinary endeavor. Collaborations with the Earth climate research community have already provided important expertise and tools to understanding Venus and other worlds. These synergies have been evidenced at prior CCTP meetings. CCTP meetings have been a model of cross-divisional support and other cross-divisional programs (NAI, NLSI/SSERVI, NeXSS) have been successful. It was our understanding that a relevant new program element was forthcoming and we urge NASA to implement this important opportunity.

• Response: PSD agrees and is in discussion with the other divisions on this approach. Finding #7

• VEXAG encourages coordination between SMD and HEOMD to study the synergies presented by the human Path to Mars. Venus flyby trajectories offer unique elements of the delta-V vs mission-duration trade space for heavy lift to Mars of piloted missions and human- infrastructure elements. This enables unique opportunities for Venus science – akin to VeGASO described above – for deployed payloads and human-in-the-loop flyby investigations. Further, Earth-Venus-Earth flyby missions can also provide these science benefits while testing <1-yr interplanetary flights on the human spaceflight on the Path to Mars.

• Response: PSD has regular exchanges with HEOMD. Finding #8

• VEXAG encourages PSD support for upcoming opportunities and initiatives, including travel support to international conferences specifically for young career scientists in the following Venus-relevant meetings supported by VEXAG: a. Workshop on Venus Science Priorities for Modeling and Experiments, May 2017, Cleveland, Ohio. b. 5th International Dunes Workshop, May 2017, St George, Utah. c. 15th VEXAG meeting, October or November 2017, Location TBD. d. CCTP3 Conference, Summer 2018, Atlanta, Washington/Baltimore, or Boston e. Potential Targets Workshop 2018 or later.

• Response: PSD supports this approach when possible. Questions?

Image by john doe