sign in sign up
<<
Home , Astra (aerospace), Functional Cargo Block, Jarvis (rocket), Magnum (rocket)

News Vol. 36, No. 24, December 5, 1997 John F.

FromFrom OriginsOrigins toto DestinyDestiny

U.S. in the Next Century Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS December 5, 1997

s explorers, pioneers, and Ainnovators, we boldly expand frontiers in air and space to inspire and serve America and to benefit the quality of life on Earth.

— 1998 NASA Strategic Plan

Table of Contents

Page 2 — Introduction Page 12 — New Shuttle health monitoring system anticipates Page 3 — Space Center sees future in trip to Mars future demands Page 4 — KSC scientists favor plant-based life support Page 13 — 2004: Deadline for Mars vs. moon decision Fuel supply will borrow from Earth and Mars Pages 14–15 — U.S. space exploration yesterday, today and Page 5 — will lead the way tomorrow Page 6 — Links between Earth and space are spiritual, practical Page 16 — Martian odyssey: Milestones in the U.S. exploration of and economical Mars Page 7 — NASA Strategic Plan is agency's roadmap to future Pages 8–9 — KSC visionaries paint the future (Photos: Cover photo is Hubble image of the Page 10 — Beyond cutting edge: NASA-sponsored group searches collision between two galaxies known as the Antennae galaxies. for ways to revolutionize space travel Photo above shows the Shuttle Endeavour prior to its maiden Page 11 — Launch vehicles of future taking shape today launch in May 1992. In the foreground is a full-sized replica of the Page 12 — Shuttle upgrades will keep fleet operational until year sailing ship that carried Christopher Columbus and his crew to the 2030 New World 500 years before.) Introduction

he theme for this spe- The complete phrase, taken Programs like Mission to Planet In implementing all these en- cial issue of Spaceport from the Space Science mission Earth also focus on our origins, terprises, we continue to evolve T News, From Origins to statement, reads: From origins to allowing us to better understand as a nation and culture. Destiny, comes from the Space destiny, chart the evolution of the and predict the global changes The articles and material pre- Science Strategic Enterprise universe and understand its gal- sweeping over the planet. sented in this special issue are not Plan. axies, stars, planets and life. The impulse to send humans intended to be a comprehensive Space Science is one of four All four strategic enterprises into space, be it to Earth's , overview of U.S. space explora- strategic enterprises in NASA's encompass this concept in some back to the moon, or onward to tion in the next century. Strategic Plan. The other three way. Exploration of the sys- Mars, perpetuates a quest that Rather they represent a enterprises are Mission to Planet tem — through both crewed and has characterized the human race glimpse of some of the most in- Earth, Human Exploration and uncrewed missions — allows us since our beginning. triguing aspects of what our na- Development of Space, and Aero- to better understand the evolution It is humanity's destiny to dis- tion hopes to achieve, as well as nautics and Space Transportation of our own planet and life forms cover where boundaries lie and a recognition of some of our ac- Technology. as well as of the universe itself. then surpass them. complishments to date. December 5, 1997 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Space Center sees future in trip to Mars

By Chuck Weirauch CAPE CANAVERAL — (AP) Exploration Office at Johnson At 4:25 a.m. Dec. 15, 2013, the Space Center, is not a final first human mission to Mars plan but a tool to help the lifted off from agency determine what would 39B at Kennedy Space Center. be required to accomplish The Magnum-1 such a feat. Several NASA performed flawlessly as it field centers have been asked lofted the six-member interna- to determine just how they tional crew into a low-Earth could contribute to such a orbit, where their mission. The KSC Exploration docked with the Mars propul- Think Tank has the job of sion module launched last determining the areas of month. After docking, the applicable KSC expertise and propulsion module engines will promoting their use by NASA be ignited and the crew will in the development of hard- begin its 180-day journey to the ware, new technologies and Red Planet. They will touch strategies that will be re- down near the Cargo Lander-1, quired for the human explora- already on the surface, to tion of the Red Planet. establish the first human “One of KSC’s primary ABOVE RIGHT — Hubble Space Telescope image of Mars, March 1997. Above, artist's concept of crewed vehicle on the surface (in foreground) with inflated habitation module outpost on an extraterrestrial areas of expertise that will be in front of it. The living quarters are transported to Mars in the Cargo Lander-1, shown planet. After inflating a of enormous benefit to the in the distance, then destowed and inflated. habitation module already on Mars mission is more than 30 Mars, the crew will begin years of spacecraft ground as well as the new heavy of Space (HEDS) enterprise, preparations for the 550-day processing and launch systems launch vehicle that would be calls for a launch vehicle like exploration phase of their experience,” O’Neal said. “KSC required to lift them into the Magnum currently under mission. Orbiting overhead will be required to put to- space.” consideration by NASA. This will be the Earth Return gether a plan to support the The Reference Mission, an rocket would be designed to Vehicle that will bring them processing of spacecraft and element of NASA’s Human place payloads weighing up to back to Earth when their payloads for the Mars mission, Exploration and Development 80 metric tons into low Earth mission is complete. orbit. This lift capacity would be sufficient to propel Mars Although this quick look at cargo modules, human habita- a possible KSC future may tion modules and their respec- seem like science fiction, work tive propulsion modules into is now under way to make the low-earth orbit. Once there, Mars Reference Mission a part the cargo and habitation of the Space Center’s long- modules would dock with their range plans. propulsion modules and then “We can make a substantial set off to Mars with the crew contribution to NASA’s newest on a fast-transit trajectory. plan to send a human mission Instead of flying everything to Mars,” said KSC Explora- that would make up the Mars tion Think Tank manager base along with the crew Mike O’Neal. “As a member of habitation module, two cargo the agency’s Integrated Mars missions to Mars would be Mission Team, we are now in launched well before the first the process of helping NASA human mission lifted off. The determine what technologies first Mars cargo mission, with need to be demonstrated for an initial launch opportunity the Mars mission concept.” AN unpressurized rover is unloaded from the Cargo Lander-1 by the first humans to land on the Red Planet's surface. The rover would be used to transport an inflatable in September 2011, would send The Reference Mission, habitation module from the lander to the transport vehicle that carried the crew to developed by the Mars/Lunar Mars. Visible inside the lander is an automated fuel manufacturing plant. (See MARS, Page 4) Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS December 5, 1997

NOT THAT FAR AWAY — Mars . . . This artist's concept (Continued from Page 3) shows five of the six crew members from the first human mission to Mars. a fully fueled Earth Return Vehicle The Mars Reference (ERV) into orbit around Mars. This first Mission timeline would be: cargo mission would take a little more • 2011 – Fully fueled Earth than two years to reach Mars. The Return Vehicle lifts off, second cargo mission, also slated to lift arrives at Mars about six off in late 2011, would land the Cargo months later and begins Lander-1 on the surface. Inside would be orbiting planet; • 2011 – Second mission, the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). At the called Cargo Lander-1, conclusion of the exporation phase of lifts off, carrying Mars their mission, the crew will fly the MAV Ascent Vehicle that will to the ERV, and return to Earth in the land on surface. Also stowed inside are rover, ERV. propellant plant, and Also stowed in the cargo lander: an inflatable habitat module; unpressurized rover for traversing the • 2013 — First human Martian terrain and an inflatable habitat crew lifts off, lands on Mars 180 days later to module. The crew would transfer the begin 550-day exploration inflatable habitat to the spacecraft which of Martian surface. brought them to Mars, attach it and then inflate it, establishing their living impact on the bioregenerative part of the Bioregenerative Research Lead of quarters on the Red Planet. mission because of our considerable NASA’s Advanced Life Support Systems. Also located in the lander would be an experience in this area.” “There are many other areas of exper- automated propellant plant, capable of Since 1985, KSC has been developing tise at KSC where we can have a major manufacturing fuel and liquid oxygen and conducting research on such a self- impact on NASA’s Mars and other long- (LOX) and storing it in cryogenic tanks contained, plant growth-based life duration missions in the future,” O’Neal prior to the arrival of the first crew. This support system formerly known as the said. “Our goal is to apply KSC opera- unit, known as the In-Situ Propellant Controlled Ecological Life Support tions know-how, resources and technical Production (ISPP) system, would carry System (CELSS) Breadboard Project. expertise to help enable the human liquid hydrogen (LH2) from Earth. This project is now called the exploration of the solar system while Prior to the crew's arrival, the plant delivering world-class products.” would automatically manufacture methane fuel and LOX oxidizer for the On matters of food ... Mars Ascent Vehicle using the on-board LH2 and carbon dioxide found in the Martian atmosphere. (Methane and LOX KSC scientists favor plant-based life support are leading candidates for propellants, If KSC Life Sciences researchers have of the planet for more than 500 days, the but this is still under review.) their way, the science-fiction vision of life support system for the crew should “KSC has the expertise in the cryogen- greenhouse-grown plants sustaining a be mostly bioregenerative,” said Life ics, autonomous systems and remote colony of Mars explorers just may Sciences agricultural engineer Dr. John monitoring disciplines that would be become reality. Sager. “The most current version of the required for the development of the “We believe that on a Mars mission ISPP,” O’Neal said. where the crew would be on the surface (See FOOD, Page 13) To sustain the crew in their habitat for an approximately one-and-a-half-year stay on the surface, an advanced type of ... and fuel. life support system will have to be designed and developed. According to the latest version of the Mars Reference Fuel supply will borrow from Earth and Mars Mission, this system and its primary backup would be mostly based on a Just as early explorers of the North Johnson. He is also the KSC lead for physical/chemical system such as the one American continent learned to bring NASA’s In-Situ Propellant Production on the Shuttle to scrub impurities from along only what was essential for sur- (ISPP) Team at Johnson Space Center the crew supply of air and water, while vival and to live off the land for the rest, and chief of the Process Engineering the second backup system would rely on so too will the first Mars mission crews Directorate’s Main Propulsion/ Space stored supplies. and future residents of a Mars colony. Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Branch. “However, the Reference Mission also “This philosophy of living off the land “The ISPP is a perfect example of how states that demonstrating the ability to is the basis for NASA’s new Mars Refer- KSC’s expertise can be used to support produce food and revitalize the air in the ence Mission and will provide the neces- future NASA missions.” Mars habitat is a mission-critical objec- sary resources required for the possible The ISPP is a critical element of the tive,” O’Neal said. “We feel that KSC can colonization of the planet,” said KSC also make a substantial technological Exploration Think Tank member Robert (See FUEL, Page 13) December 5, 1997 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Space Station will lead the way

Diagram from Station prime contractor The Boeing Co.

By Bruce Buckingham crews with more than 46,000 station remains on schedule. journey to ISS in a for a n the summer of 1998, cubic feet of living and work- The Russian Functional two-month mission beginning NASA will inaugurate ing space – that’s about the Cargo Block and the U.S. in late 1999. That crew will be one of the greatest same as the combined passen- Node 1 are the first elements commanded by veteran astro- I undertakings in the ger cabins of two Boeing 747s. to be assembled on orbit; they naut Kenneth Bowersox and history of U.S. human space The end-to-end wing span of both remain on track for include the first rookie space flight when the first element of the station will measure 356 launches next year. The third flyer to journey to Station, the International Space feet and it will be 290 feet element, the Russian Service cosmonaut Mikhail Turin. Station (ISS) is carried into long. Its mass will total nearly Module, is also set for launch Cosmonaut Vladimir Dezhurov orbit aboard the one million pounds when late next year. will act as flight engineer. Endeavour. The launch will complete. The European Space These three are now training mark a major milestone in the The International Space Agency’s Columbus Orbital as backups for the first crew. on-orbit assembly phase of the Station is not only a great Facility will be carried aloft in The fourth crew named to station, culminating many technological accomplishment. October 2002. date will be commanded by years of dedicated work. It also is a hugely successful cosmonaut Yuri Onufrienko. From the initial conception international cooperative 4 ISS crews Joining him on this four- of the station to the final project, combining the efforts The first four International month mission will be astro- checkouts of the flight ele- of 16 countries from all parts Space Station crews have been nauts Carl Walz and Daniel ments to major modifications of the globe. In an effort to announced in anticipation of Bursch. They are scheduled to to the orbiter fleet, the Inter- popularize the program and to flying the first flights to the arrive at the station in the national Space Station will share the expense of building a station. Astronaut William year 2000 via the Shuttle soon realize its ultimate goal state-of-the-art orbiting Shepherd will be the first ISS Discovery. of providing a long-term platform, NASA sought and commander. He will travel The first astronauts to work habitat for humans to work found interested partners who there on a Soyuz vehicle, along on the station on-orbit, how- and live in space. would share in the cost of with Russian cosmonauts Yuri ever, won't be the first to station development and Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev. inhabit it. Astronauts Robert 44 Shuttle flights construction. All three are training for an Cabana, Frederick Sturckow, Assembling the station early 1999 launch and will Nancy Currie, Jerry Ross and while orbiting the Earth at an 6 laboratories remain in orbit five months. Jim Newman have the task of average altitude of 220 miles The pressurized station will Also announced is the first beginning the station assem- and having it become opera- include six laboratories. The relief crew which will replace bly process in July 1998, when tional will keep the Shuttle U.S. will provide one and Shepherd, Gidzenko and they attach Node-1 to the fleet and her multinational others will be provided by Krikalev. The second incre- already on-orbit Russian astronaut crews busy well into Russia, Japan and the Euro- mental crew will arrive at ISS Functional Cargo Block the next century. Forty-four pean Space Agency. via Shuttle Atlantis. Russian delivered just weeks earlier. Shuttle missions are currently In October, representatives cosmonaut Yuri Usachev will The node arrived at KSC earmarked to deliver key from the various nations command this crew which earlier this year and continues components to the on orbit building ISS gathered in includes American astronauts to undergo preflight processing construction site. Houston and confirmed that James Voss and Susan Helms. in the Space Station Process- The Station will provide its ground construction of the The third crew named will ing Facility. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS December 5, 1997 Links between Earth and space are spiritual, practical and economical

By Susan Maurer “The visions we offer our children shape The use of space the future. It matters what those visions are. Spin-Offs for economic activities Often they become self-fulfilling prophecies. is no longer a subject Dreams are maps.” of debate. Communi- — Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot cations are an important part of our industrial growth, and the process- he exploration of space is one of ing of pharmaceuticals and biological the greatest adventures of compounds in microgravity is on the humanity. verge of becoming another commercial T FOUR TOPEX/Poseidon Discovering distant planets using activity. views at right show crewed and has been For more than 30 years, the secondary displaced warm water an achievement almost in the realm of use of NASA technology has been facili- (white area outlined in fantasy, and yet, these dreams also have tated through NASA’s Commercial darker shade) moving real-world implications benefiting Development and Technology Transfer eastward over time. The displacement of so much humankind in the here and now. Program. Its outreach activities result in warm water affects NASA’s Mission to private industry’s application of NASA- evaporation, rain cloud Planet Earth is a long- generated technology, which frequently formation and term program to study leads to the development of commercially consequently alters jet stream patterns. Down- the Earth as a total available products and services known as to-Earth system. For example, “spin-offs.” Benefits the weather phenom- A spin-off example includes light- search for religious or economic freedom, enon called El Niño, weight rechargeable batteries developed and competitive advantage. Rarely have highly publicized this for space use that also made possible the humans entered new territory and then year, has been under creation of many cordless appliances and completely abandoned it. study by NASA for several years. tools. Paints developed to keep spacecraft A human settlement on Mars, which El Niño is a climatic event that can cool by reflecting the sun’s rays could would have to be self-sufficient to be bring devastating weather to parts of the help us keep cooler on Earth in our cars, sustainable, would satisfy human urges world. Prediction of its conditions has homes, and planes. Indeed, more than a to challenge the limits of human capabil- both regional and global implications. El thousand spin-off products and processes ity, create the potential for saving human Niño events, which take place on average have emerged from reapplication of civilization from an ecological disaster on once every two to seven years, are technology developed for NASA mission Earth (e.g., a giant asteroid impact or a marked by an increase in ocean surface programs. nuclear incident), and potentially lead to temperature and a higher-than-normal a new range of human endeavors not sea level in the Eastern equatorial “Columbus sailed west attainable on Earth. Pacific Ocean. The 1982-1983 El Niño The to reach the Indies, an im- Mars could also serve as a base for our yielded catastrophic effects. It was Road possible mission with the exploration of the outer solar system. blamed for between 1,300 and 2,000 ships and provisions under With its low gravity, it would be easier to deaths and more than $13 billion in Ahead his command ... His voy- launch crafts into space from Mars than damage to property and livelihoods. age succeeded because from Earth. As part of Mission to Planet Earth he ran into something new, What can insight into the origins and (MTPE), NASA and the Centre Nationale an unknown continent. ... Space explora- evolution of the early solar system tell d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the French tion is similar: its value resides less in con- us? The study of Jupiter, , Ura- space agency, joined in TOPEX/Poseidon, firming what we already know than in expos- nus, and Neptune — which contain 99 a program that gathers data essential to ing us to something new.” percent of the planetary mass in the understanding the role oceans play in — Timothy Ferris, professor of journal- solar system and which, far from the regulating global climate, one of the least ism, University of California, Berkeley, vaporizing effects of the sun, remain understood areas of climate research. Where Next Columbus? largely unchanged since their formation The five years of global ocean topogra- — can tell us much about the composi- phy observations made by TOPEX/ The dream of human exploration of tion and evolution of the protoplanetary Poseidon have been a boon for El Niño Mars is intimately tied to the belief that masses from which planets form. researchers, who have been able to track new lands create new opportunities and Wild cards are three El Niño events since the ’s prosperity. In human history, migrations technological discov- launch in August 1992 and another of people have been stimulated by eries or conceptual strong one occurred this year. overcrowding, exhaustion of resources, Wild Cards breakthroughs that December 5, 1997 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 NASA Strategic Plan is agency's roadmap to future The 1998 NASA Strategic plan outlines four strategic enterprises representing the framework through which the agency implements its mission. The articles in this special issue touch upon all four in varying detail. The Strategic Plan appears on the agency Web site at http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/nsp/NSPTOC.html measurably to achieving the science, Aeronautics and Space mathematics and technology goals of our Transportation Technology nation, and share widely the excitement and inspiration of our missions and discoveries.

Human Exploration and Development of Space

Low-cost launch vehicle Mission: Pioneer the identification, development, verification, transfer, application and EL NIÑO leads to unusual and commercialization of high-payoff aeronautics and extreme weather conditions, such as drought (above) or hurricanes (above space transportation technologies. left). Technology goals: Enable U.S. leadership in global civil aviation through safer, cleaner, quieter and more affordable air travel; revolutionize air STS-76 spacewalk travel and the way in which aircraft are designed, fundamentally change the way we think Mission: To bring the frontier of space fully within built and operated; enable the full commercial and act, altering the course of human the sphere of human activity to build a better future potential of space and expansion of space for all humankind. events. For someone living in the year research and exploration. Goals: Prepare to conduct human missions of 1900, wild cards included airplanes, the Service goals: Enable, and as appropriate exploration to planetary and other bodies in the atom bomb, genetic engineering, space provide, on a national basis, world-class solar system; use the environment of space to travel, artificial organs, and communica- aerospace research and development services, expand scientific knowledge; provide safe and including facilities and expertise, and proactively tions satellites. affordable human access to space, establish a transfer cutting-edge technologies. What will be the wild cards during the human presence in space and share the human next 50 to 100 years? According to Where experience of being in space; enable the Next, Columbus?, they might include: Space Science commercial development of space. 1. Economical and practical fusion energy; Mission to Planet Earth 2. Sentient, artificially intelligent computers; 3. Indisputable evidence of extrater- restrial life; 4. Communication or contact with extraterrestrials; 5. Discovery of gravity control; 6. Indefinite extension of life; 7. Creation of new life forms by humans; Most distant galaxy, Hubble deep 8. Near- or even faster-than-light space image, July 1997 travel; 9. Harnessing antimatter as an Mission: Solve the mysteries of the universe, Earth from space energy source; explore the solar system; discover planets 10. Terraforming, the process of around other stars; search for life beyond Earth. Mission: Dedicated to understanding the total making a planet more capable of sup- Goals: Establish a virtual presence throughout Earth system and the effects of natural and porting life forms from Earth. the solar system; probe deeper into the human-induced changes on the global mysteries of universe and life on Earth and environment. beyond; pursue space science programs that Goals: Expand our scientific knowledge of the These and other wild cards will all enable and are enabled by future human Earth system; disseminate information about the have the direct effect of accelerating the exploration beyond ; develop and Earth system; and enable the productive use of inevitable — advancing the human race utilize revolutionary technologies for missions Mission to Planet Earth science and technology through exploration of the cosmos. impossible in prior decades; contribute in the public and private sectors. Majoris, approximately 44 light years orbit. Also, Cassini enters Saturn orbit. • 2007-11 – Lunar base construction From 1999 to 2081 from our own Sun. is under way, including establishment of and beyond • 2005 – The single-stage-to-orbit an optical/radio array known as the • 2002 – A strong ExtraTerrestrial vehicle becomes operational. Access to Farside telescope. Construction is Joe Dean, Quality Assurance, (ET) signal is detected that is virtually space is routine at last! Crewed Utility supported by Powerlifters and single- Boeing certain to be artificial in nature. The Service Vehicles (USV) become stage-to-orbit vehicles. signal emanates from Pavonis, operational around an expanding ISS. he mid-'90s has seen much another Sun-like star only 19 light years • 2012 – The first humans land on Tchange in the way the United away. This captures public imagination, • 2006 – Mars, touching down some 250 miles States explores space, and those resulting in a resurgence of interest in Larger version of east of the solar changes are just now becoming evident, space exploration. the Powerlifter system’s largest particularly in the unmanned planetary launch vehicle known volcano, programs such as Mars Pathfinder. • 2003 – International Space Station debuts. A robotic Olympus Mons. Gone are the mega-budget unmanned (ISS) is mission to Mars Evidence of past probes and the U.S. going it alone. completed and returns the first life on Mars is Space exploration, especially by operational. samples of confirmed. humans, is still a difficult and expensive Martian soil to venture, however. Let’s take a look at • 2004 – The Earth. Lunar Telescope, • 2014 – The what could lie ahead: Powerlifter 2007 2050 Farside lunar launcher makes telescope • 1999 – First direct visual image of its debut. The • 2007 – First element of a Mars images ExtraSolar Planet (ESP) first an ExtraSolar Planet (ESP) is recorded heavy-lift vehicle direct-type mission is launched using sighted in 1999 as a disc rather than a by the Keck telescope complex. Actually USV, 2005 is similar to the the Powerlifter. Two successive dot. Space-based industry matures. the size of Jupiter, the distant planet canceled launches carry crew and the Nuclear shows up as only a tiny dot. The planet Shuttle-C, except it becomes an Thermal Rocket (NTR) needed to get • 2020-40 – Advances in computers the yellow dwarf star, 47 Ursae operational spacecraft upon reaching them to Mars and back. and robotics usher in the age of Ask. Make space travel as Convert the S accessible as air missionsRichard Wilmoth, Orbiter Processing Ram accelerator is the travelEdgar Zapata, Fluid Systems Facility, United way to go Division, Process Engineering Space Alliance Earth's moon Bill Notardonato, Fluid Systems aving worked for some years on Division, Process Engineering Hfuture space transportation ake one of the Shuttle orbiters and initiatives, I have formed a vision of our connect an extended-duration Commercial rocket-based, combined- T evelopment of an inexpensive future in space: One in which we have consumables and fuel package into the cycle Space Express vehicle. Dmethod of launching insensitive achieved, within my lifetime, affordable, payload bay. Design a lander similar to the reliable, and safe space transportation. bulk cargo to orbit will create a and would allow large geosynchronous one used in the Apollo missions that could revolution in space operations. This That means accessible to the average dock with the Shuttle for crew transfers, satellites to be launched on smaller person. system, called a ram accelerator, has a boosters. Refueling capability would be and use the orbiter as a ferry ship to the projectile shaped like the centerbody of Air travel, once the domain of a few moon. The orbiter would not be able to built into commercial satellites, and this daredevils and the wealthy, eventually a ramjet that can be fired at high speed capability would drive manufacturers to land on the moon, but neither could the into a stationary tube filled with a opened up to the average individual who Apollo command ship. With a payload bay design them for longer life and just wanted a quick, affordable way to premixed fuel and oxidizer, and the upgradability. This will make their 60 feet long,and 15 feet wide, it would be a shock wave reflected off the tube wall get from A to B. good way to travel to and from lunar orbit. applications cheaper. Colonies on the moons of Jupiter or will create an oblique detonation wave The potential exists for orbital plane that combusts the propellant and low-Earth-orbit theme parks will come changes, now prohibitively expensive about once cheap access to space is expands the hot, high-pressure products due to high fuel usage. Surveillance past the aft end of the projectile, possible. Also, within our lifetime we satellites would have more maneuvering should be seeing the first human creating thrust. capability and hence be more robust. A Using this simple system, which exploration beyond the solar system, Where do human mission to the moon or Mars can w does not need mixing tubes, igniters, or perhaps also the first space experiments be accomplished using boosters no showing the potential to overcome the propellant tanks to carry fuel, a 2,000- more powerful than current systems, kilogram-projectile with a 40 percent chasm between our and other solar and nuclear thermal engines will not be systems. payload mass fraction can be launched needed since the fuel needed for from here? to orbit from a one-meter-diameter, four chemical engines would be plentiful on- -kilometer-long tube positioned on the orbit. Space Station resupply can be side of a mountain near the equator. accomplished more cheaply, and parts This inexpensive system will be used to and supplies would be able to be launch fuels and oxidizers, foods, raw launched immediately in case of materials, and emergency supplies to emergency. The presence of inexpen- orbit, and possibly create a new class of sive fuel and raw materials on-orbit is hardened orbital satellites built the key needed to create the next- KSC workers off specifically to be able to withstand the generation-in-space capability. A ram high G forces associated with a ram accelerator can provide that service. Jupiter accelerator launch. Preliminary price estimates predict a cost of $100-500 per pound to orbit. workers from Earth, has plenty of raw The simplicity of this system offers Let's go to the Moon solar power available, and so little the opportunity for a commercial firstDian Hardison, Safety, Reliability and gravitational penalty that many future company to create a market for low-cost Space Vehicle Safety Division missions could be launched from there. space cargo, possibly leading to an Oxygen can be liberated from lunar soil, orbiting fuel depot where satellites and e should certainly already be construction materials mined from it, manned space vehicles could dock, Wworking on definitive plans for and plants grown in it. Radio telescopes refuel and continue their missions. crewed exploration of Mars — but we would work best on the far side. Risky This would allow for a reusable could be sending small robots to the experiments could be safely conducted orbital transfer vehicle to ferry satellites moon RIGHT NOW to prepare caverns in the closed environment. And once a from low-Earth to geotransfer orbit, or (shielded from radiation by rock) for colony is up and running, the Earth- return them for refurbishment. This permanent habitation. Luna is close bound public would come to understand would eliminate heavy upper stages, enough for quick transit of supplies and that humans are in space to stay. spacecraft design and construction Lagoon Moon should be next The process should begin with plans for almost entirely by semi-intelligent Nebula, a human exploratory expedition in the machines. Human exploration and in Hubble Frank Merceret, KSC Weather Office 2014-2016 time frame using the Zubrin some cases, exploitation, of the asteroid Space “Mars Direct” strategy, taking advantage belt is under way. Fusion propulsion Telescope mmediate: Work with the private of what we learn from Space Station becomes a reality. image, Isector and other governments to and the lunar colony regarding long- January 1997 build a permanent mining, manufactur- term work in space. We must follow this • 2040s – Numerous ESPs are ing and research colony on the moon. with a PERMANENT colony, with as cataloged, some by now found to be First human return trip no later than much for-profit commercial involvement similar in appearance to Earth. 2002, with full operation by 2005. The as possible. We should be looking to private sector component should be for begin terraforming within 50 years, a • 2050s – Human exploration of Shuttle will lead the profit, with tax incentives to encourage process which will take more than a Jupiter and Saturn wayMichael Ciannilli, Test Project participation. Similar for-profit commer- century to complete. We can then begin systems is under way. Engineering, United Space Alliance cial activity aboard the space station mining the asteroids. The timing will be Molecular-level manufac- should be encouraged. excellent, since Earth-bound mineral turing is commonplace. n regard to the long-range Longer term: We should plan to resources will be near depletion by then. Idirection the United States should colonize (not merely visit) Mars through Later: Ad Astra! Human survival • 2081 – 100th take, I see two primary choices. First, a deliberate, planned long-term process. depends on it! anniversary of the first there is a human mission to Mars. Shuttle launch and 120th Undoubtedly, this would ignite worldwide anniversary of first human excitement and an “Apollo-like” Seek. in space. The first starship Beyond 2081 atmosphere. The new heavy-lift launch departs for Alpha Centauri vehicle needed to perform the mission system at 98 percent the speed of light. would most likely be derived from a should also be developed to continue After a 10-year round trip, humanity -based concept. planetary exploration, focusing on reaches its first star. Political and budgetary concerns sample return missions when possible. pose the greatest obstacle to this Continuous research, along with program, and relatively short stays on constant upgrades, should be the Shuttle for lunar-orbiting Mars would be typical for some time. mainstay of the space station program Other than using a little extra fuel for the The second choice would be for throughout the next century. Orbital Maneuvering System engines, the America to return to the moon. Again, a The vehicle that will lead us into the Lunar base flight requirements would be the same as new heavy-lift vehicle would be 21st century for a decade or two is the Send DNA first going to . A four-person crew would be employed to start construction of a lunar same one that will close out the 20th: base. Returning to the moon perhaps the Space Shuttle. Arthur Beller, Shuttle Processing more than ample for these flights to start Chief Information Officer representative with. More crew members could be added represents the best option to gain the With a commitment to upgrading the most knowledge in the near-term, as fleet and streamlining its processing, the on later flights after a pattern of safety and efore sending humans to Mars, reliability is developed. well as survive a tight budgetary Space Shuttle will continue to be the atmosphere. Either way we go, it is hallmark of America’s space program.It Bwe ought to recruit one-celled With Administrator Goldin's declaration astronauts, billions of them, to go to Sept. 29, 1997, regarding the American essential for the United States, and KSC should be remembered, the initial in particular, to continue early planning concept of the program was to fly a fleet Mars. explorer's spirit and attitude toward new Basically we want to get DNA to challenges, this would be a good time to go for those options today. of reusable vehicles, many times for An array of unmanned spacecraft many years. Mars in the most cost-effective form. back to the moon — only this time, on a We already have proven delivery more permanent basis. capability to preselected sites on Mars’ The early settlers accepted the surface, as Mars Pathfinder so challenge to try new things and explore Space travel in the 21st century spectacularly demonstrated earlier this risky ideas, sometimes risking life and limb. Bill Lembke, Checkout and Launch Control System Project, Lockheed-Martin year. Now, the payload will consist of the Can we do any less? astronauts and months or years of food he future human exploration of space should proceed in stages as our and water. T knowledge increases and technology advances.The destiny of humankind is With proper matching of selection not to remain bound to Earth, but to explore the vast unknown: criteria for the astronauts to the site environment, the astronauts would have go Location Years Objective the opportunity and expectation to we Space Station Present-2005 Phase I construction establish their own colonies on or 2005-2010 Science experiments, supply station for beneath the surface of Mars. Further- moon construction. more, with proper selection, these brave “pioneers” could pave the way for their ? 2010-2015 Phase II construction: expansion, space-based multicelled cousins. If necessary we can manufacturing. send “care” packages to sustain them 2015-2020 Additional space stations in higher orbits, between and their progeny. Earth and moon. There is real science required to design this long-term approach to 2020-2025 Construction of larger, more powerful space colonizing Mars with sustainable DNA- vehicles. based life forms regardless of whether ffer their visions. Moon 2005-2007 Explore for resources and sites for future science we ever send a human. In one of Kurt stations and a colony. Vonnegut’s novels, he criticizes humanity for its inability to plan a million 2007-2010 Construct science stations. years into the future. Here is our 2010-2015 Construct a permanent colony to accommodate chance. This has to be akin to at least 100 people. terraforming. But it really doesn’t matter 2015-2025 Expanded colony; self-sufficiency; whether Terrans ever arrive. These astronauts would be the progenitors of moon-based manufacturing. the new Martians. Mars 2025-2030 Explore for resources and sites of future science This is a great hedge on the risk of stations and colony. Earth becoming temporarily uninhabit- 2030-2035 Construct science stations. able. Since intelligence is an emergent property of DNA, if necessary the 2035-2050 Construct permanent colony to accommodate Martians could return the favor in a at least 100 people. billion years. Asteroids 2030-2035 Explore for resources and future science stations. 2035-2050 Construct science stations, mine for resources Over the horizon to construct Mars colony. Dream. Page 10 SPACEPORT NEWS December 5, 1997 Beyond cutting edge

NASA-sponsored group searches for ways to revolutionize space travel

By Susan Walsh receives funding from the and credible research to make mans, is speed. The next Advanced Space Transporta- measurable toward nearest star is 4.3 light years arp drives . . tion Program under NASA’s propulsion breakthroughs. away. (A light year is the .hyperspace . . . Marshall Space Flight Center, “Admittedly, these break- distance that light travels in W tachyons . . . where some related experi- throughs may turn out to be one year or about 5.88 trillion wormholes . . . space drives . . . ments are being conducted. impossible, but progress is not miles.) If you believe that no one but The program’s sole full-time made by conceding defeat,” Consider traveling from science fiction buffs use these employee is LeRC aerospace Millis stated in a summary of Earth to that distant star in terms, think again. engineer Marc Millis, who was preliminary workshop results. these known modes of trans- A loosely formed and a KSC co-op student from Rocket technology depen- portation: expanding group of more than Georgia Tech in 1978-81. dent on propellant is adequate 150 scientists and engineers “This is the most visionary for human journeys into orbit, • A car traveling at 55 mph from NASA, other government thing going on in propulsion in to the Moon, and to Mars, and would take more than 50 labs, universities and indus- NASA,” Millis said. “This is for robotic probes to outer million years to get there! tries are looking for ways to looking at the emerging planets of our solar system. • At the speed of the Apollo make “credible progress horizons. You’re beginning to “However, to dramatically spacecraft which landed on the toward incredible possibilities” get a glimmer of light there. reduce the expense of these Moon, it would take over in space propulsion. The There’s some hope that you journeys or to journey beyond 900,000 years! ultimate goal is to revolution- can do this, but it’s still far these points in a reasonable • Even at the now-stagger- ize space travel and enable enough away that you can’t be time, some new, alternative ing 37,000 mph speed of practical interstellar voyages. sure. There is, however, propulsion physics is re- NASA’s voyager spacecraft as It’s the kind of stuff that, enough light to point to where quired,” according to Millis. it left our solar system, the even if only partially success- to look next — the next steps.” Conference attendees looked trip to the nearest star would ful, would add new chapters to The program’s first work- at ways to make interstellar still take 80,000 years! the laws of physics as we know shop held at LeRC in August travel practical by removal of it and potentially make space was to assess the prospect of the three major barriers to That’s why the Break- as navigable as Earth’s visible discovering breakthrough such journeys: propellant through Propulsion Physics sky is by airplane. means to propel spacecraft as mass, trip time, and propul- Program is looking at recent The Breakthrough Propul- far and as fast as possible with sion energy. theories about “wormholes” sion Physics Program estab- the least amount of effort. The In his essay, Warp Drive, and “warp drives” — concepts lished in 1996 is managed by 84 participants were encour- When?, Millis said that the for traveling faster than light. Lewis Research Center (LeRC) aged to be “visionary” and yet obvious challenge in interstel- As for the amount of propel- in Cleveland, Ohio, and identify affordable, near-term lar travel, especially by hu- lant it would take to get there, December 5, 1997 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 11 you can forget using the NASA's X-38 technology demonstrator chemical engines now on the for the could become the first new human spacecraft Space Shuttle — there isn’t to travel to and from orbit in the past two enough mass in the universe decades. It is shown here undergoing to supply the necessary captive-carry flight tests in California in amount of rocket propellant. July, attached to the wing of a B-52 carrier aircraft. The captive-carry flights Even with a fission rocket, will lead up to free-flight drop tests and it would take a billion super- eventually an unpiloted space flight test tanker-sized propellant tanks; targeted for launch aboard a Space with fusion rockets, a paltry Shuttle. The effort, managed by Johnson Space Center, takes thousand supertankers worth! advantage of available equipment and That’s why the group is technology for as much as 80 percent of searching for new propulsion the X-38's design in order to keep costs physics that do not require to a minimum. any propellant. Even if we could convert energy into motion without Launch vehicles of future taking shape today propellant, sending a Shuttle- sized vehicle to the nearest NASA, the Department of pre-engineering, manufactur- for interception if an asteroid star would require roughly the Defense and private industry ing and development (Module were hurtling toward Earth. same amount of energy that are working on development of II) phase for a new family of Some highlights in the RLV the Space Shuttle’s engines near-term and longer-range expendable rockets to replace category: would use if they ran continu- future expendable launch the current medium- and • X-33 and X-34: The X-34 ously for 50 years. vehicles (ELVs) and reusable heavy-rocket fleet of aging demonstrator vehicle is a Tapping the energy stored launch vehicles (RLVs). Delta, and ve- bridge between the Delta within the vacuum of space is The space agency is evolv- hicles. The first test flight is Clipper and the X-33. White one idea being explored to ing into a developer of technol- targeted to occur in 2001. Sands Missile Range, N.M., overcome this hurdle to ogy, and away from designing, • Lockheed Martin Atlas will host the initial test flights . building and owning launcher IIAR: The new Atlas IIAR to prove the major vehicle Millis readily admitted that systems, according to Gary vehicle is the latest configura- components, beginning in late he doesn’t know when a Payton, NASA’s RLV program tion in Lockheed Martin’s 1998. With a current plan to breakthrough will occur, or if director. planned evolution to a new fly a total of about 25 flights, it is even possible. “New commercial launchers family of lower-cost ELVs KSC will provide landing “Even if it will not be in my will will be built out of the featuring common elements support for the other opportu- lifetime or my children’s proven technologies,” he said. such as a booster stage. The nities. lifetime or even if it is impos- Among the highlights in the Atlas IIAR can deliver a The X-33, being developed sible, I am firmly convinced ELV category: payload of 8,600 pounds into under a cooperative agreement that we as a society will gain • Sea Launch: A two-stage geosynchronous transfer orbit, between NASA and Lockheed far more from trying to make Ukrainian Zenit rocket with a approximately an 8 percent Martin Skunk Works, is a such breakthroughs happen Russian Block DM upper stage increase over the current Atlas subscale technology prototype than if we didn’t,” he asserted will launch from a mobile, IIAS. The first launch is which Lockheed hopes to in Warp Drive, When?, calling modified self-propelled oil scheduled at the end of 1998. develop in the next century as it a “noble and honorable drilling platform in the Pacific • Magnum Launch a full-scale, commercial single- cause.” Ocean into either geosynchro- Vehicle: Still only a design stage-to-orbit reusable launch For more information on nous or medium Earth orbit. concept at this time, the vehicle called Venture Star™. the Breakthrough Propulsion Up to 11,025 pounds of pay- Shuttle-derived Magnum • X-38: The X-38 is a Physics Program, see URL: load can be launched to would be a heavy-lift vehicle technology demonstrator for http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/ geostationary transfer orbit. with a payload capacity of NASA’s emergency crew WWW/bpp/ The Sea Launch home port in some 80 metric tons, more return vehicle (CRV), a life- Long Beach, Calif., will in- than four times what the boat for the International clude docking and provisioning Space Shuttle can carry to low Space Station. The first for the Assembly and Com- Earth orbit. It likely would captive-carry flights were held mand Ship and Launch use a stretched version of the at Dryden Flight Research Platform; launch will take Shuttle’s external tank and Center in California this place along the equator in the reusable, liquid-fueled flyback summer. international waters of the boosters being considered for The X-38 would glide from Pacific Ocean. The first launch development in the Space orbit unpowered like the is targeted for late 1998. Shuttle program. Potential Shuttle orbiter and use a • DoD Evolved Expend- uses are for human explora- steerable parafoil parachute CHART from the Breakthrough Propulsion able Launch Vehicle: The tion of the Moon and Mars; to for its final descent to landing. Physics Program managed by NASA's Air Force has selected two carry the next-generation It also could be used as a Lewis Research Center illustrates the contractors, The Boeing Co. space telescope; in the Air spacecraft for humans that need for a major paradigm shift in how we look at spacecraft speed and what is and Lockheed Martin Astro- Force space-based laser could be launched on an needed for future flights. nautics, to proceed with the program; and even, possibly, booster. Page 12 SPACEPORT NEWS December 5, 1997

A CAREFULLY planned and Upgrades will keep fleet implemented program of upgrades will keep the fleet of four Shuttle orbiters flying operational until year 2030 well into the next century, By Joel Wells cessing time while lowering possibly as far into the future as 2030. The program began operations costs by 50 percent. he Space Shuttle is in 1996 and includes four By 2000, many of the phases. Shown here is the America’s only upgrades from Phases One orbiter Columbia undergoing Tmeans of getting and Two will be in place and lifting in the Vehicle Assembly Building in October in humans into space. With the implementation of the major International Space Station preparation for Mission STS- system upgrades will begin. 87, the final Shuttle flight of (ISS) era around the corner, it These Phase Three improve- 1997. Projections call for an will be the workhorse that ments will be more extensive increased flight rate of up to 15 per year in the next helps assemble and maintain than their predecessors. The the permanent space outpost. century, and many of the changes would not alter the planned upgrades will With NASA counting on the orbiter’s original shape or contribute to a reduced Shuttle, the Shuttle program basic aerodynamics, but would turnaround time as well as is counting up ways to keep it greater safety and lower include significant enhance- costs. flying. ments to avionics and commu- In April 1996, NASA nication launched a four-phased systems. mission to assure safe and 15 flights With a continuous operation of the goal to Shuttle fleet through the year per year increase the 2012 and to incorporate major Shuttle’s New Shuttle health monitoring improvements through 2030. missions per Improving Shuttle safety, year by 2007, NASA must system anticipates future demands supporting the future flight reduce the preparation time manifest, increasing system for a launch. By replacing the NASA’s Shuttle Upgrades rather absorb and improve it. reliability and reducing current orbital maneuvering Program plans to outfit each Adding non-intrusive operational cost are the system, reaction control Shuttle in the fleet with an microsensors, strategically priorities of the Space Shuttle system and auxiliary power Integrated Vehicle Health placed remote health nodes, Upgrade units with systems that do not Monitoring System (IVHM), and reducing the amount of Program. require toxic propellants or consisting of modern technol- wiring required, are all steps Phase ogy that will reduce planned toward gradual IVHM imple- 4 phases reactants, a safer work place One leads can be achieved and signifi- ground processing work, mentation. the way, cant time savings can be streamline unplanned work, Beyond merely recording focusing on realized. enhance visibility into orbiter flight data, the evolved system performance enhancements Using non-toxic liquid systems operation and ulti- will process the information which extend the Shuttle’s oxygen and ethanol instead of mately improve vehicle safety. in-flight and dump the data to capability to carry payloads to noxious ammonia-based fluids The current onboard Modu- ground controllers once a day. the ISS orbital inclination of will allow work to be done in lar Auxiliary Data System Onboard trend analysis will 51.6 degrees and altitude of parallel with traditionally (MADS) collects and records give engineers snapshots to about 220 miles. The super hazardous operations. In- pressure, temperature, strain, help predict downstream lightweight external tank creased productivity, fewer vibration and event data from maintenance, and improved (SLWT) made of a new, alumi- components and cheaper sensors placed throughout the ground support equipment will num-lithium alloy and the propellants promise a savings orbiter. The information is help Shuttle technicians do Block II Space Shuttle main of about $24 million every gathered during ascent, orbit their jobs quicker. KSC man- engines with new safety year. and entry and recorded for agers estimate a fully opera- features and a higher thrust Candidate projects for postflight review. While tional IVHM system will rating are among the fully Phase Four will significantly effective, MADS requires reduce work shifts for orbiter funded projects that will help change the Shuttle’s configura- labor-intensive manual pro- processing by up to 20 percent. accomplish the goals of Phase tion, and new design imple- cessing. “For example, Marshall One by the year 2000. mentation will be carefully “This is a high-priority Space Flight Center currently High-value upgrades that planned to minimize any project,” said Jack Fox, project waits up to four weeks after a can be implemented at low impact to the flight rate. development manager for Shuttle lands to receive its cost and still provide reliable A banner project being KSC’s Shuttle Upgrades engine data from KSC,” adds support to the current flight studied for Phase Four imple- Office. “When I see plans to Fox. “Through IVHM, earlier manifest define the Phase Two mentation is the liquid fly- increase the Shuttle’s flight access would give it a jump on projects. The Checkout and back booster (LFBB). The new rate to 15 flights per year, I planning the processing flow Launch Control System boosters will not only shorten know we need IVHM to help for the Shuttle’s main en- (CLCS), now under develop- turnaround time, but are reduce turnaround time.” gines.” IVHM hardware ment at KSC, is a Phase Two expected to demonstrate key The goal is not to scrap the installation is slated to begin effort to reduce launch pro- safety features as well. proven MADS system, but in late 1999. December 5, 1997 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 13

also meeting the oxygen 2004: Deadline for Mars vs. Food . . . supply and carbon dioxide moon decision (Continued from Page 4) removal needs of one person,” NASA Mars Reference Mission said Gary Stutte, a plant t’s 2004 and final decision upon presiden- calls for a six-member crew to physiologist with the NASA time for NASA. Should the tial and con- remain on the surface of Mars Life Sciences support contrac- Iagency press on to gressional for up to 600 days.” tor Dynamac Co. “The crop finalize plans for the human approval, as Sager is an advocate of the could also supply 35 to 50 exploration of Mars? Or should well as public primarily bioregenerative percent of the food require- the moon be used first to field- support. “It is the job of the KSC approach to NASA’s Advanced ments for one person.” test habitats, life support Exploration Think Tank to help Life Support (ALS) Program as Research in the KSC growth systems and propellant propul- provide the agency with enough opposed to a more traditional chamber is now concentrating sion units developed for the information to make a rational one of mostly chemical and on the recycling of inedible Mars mission? go/no-go decision in 2004 if we mechanical systems for several plant material — the plant And ultimately, does all of the are going to launch a crew to reasons. stems, root systems and leaves information gathered by robotic Mars by 2013,” said Think Tank “Bioregenerative systems — from the harvested crops Mars explorers and NASA manager Mike O’Neal. “To do are efficient ways to provide for use in the plant growth research personnel and mission so, we are working to deter- all life support elements — chamber. planners prove that humans mine how KSC expertise and oxygen, water Work at KSC really could be safely sent to resources can be used to and food — as will continue to explore the Red Planet and develop the technologies well as a support hu- return? Of course, any of these necessary to demonstrate the livable psycho- man-rated ALS options would be contingent Mars mission concept.” logical envi- testing at JSC, ronment for the growth of the crew over new crops, and Fuel . . . a long period further devel- of time,” opment of the (Continued from Page 4) Sager said. bioreactor, Mars Reference Mission. Once and to control fuel production “KSC’s job White globe radish harvest nutrient transported from Earth to and its loading aboard the is to obtain delivery and Mars, the unit will use liquid Mars Ascent Vehicle, the sufficient ALS data for the lighting systems, Sager said. hydrogen brought from home Exploration Team has pro- agency to make an informed “Reliable regenerative life and carbon dioxide from the posed the use of the KSC- decision about how much of support systems will reduce Martian atmosphere to manu- developed Knowledge-based the life support system on the amount of materials that facture tons of liquid oxygen Autonomous Test Engineer Mars will be bioregenerative,” need to be sent from Earth to and methane for the Mars (KATE), Johnson said. Sager said. Mars and use less power than Ascent Vehicle which will lift “The KATE system can The bioregenerative life currently available life support the crew off the surface to provide the kind of autono- support effort at KSC, for- systems,” Sager said. “They begin the return to Earth. mous control that will be merly the Controlled Ecologi- are an integral element of Because propellants make up required for ISPP operations,” cal Life Support System NASA’s Human Exploration the majority of a launch Johnson said. (CELSS) Breadboard Project, and Development of Space vehicle’s weight, propellant Preventive failure analysis is located in Hangar L on Cape effort and essential to the production on Mars greatly can also be provided for the Canaveral Air Station. successful human exploration reduces the size and cost of the ISPP design by the KSC The KSC-developed and colonization of space.” vehicles required to get there. Materials Science Laboratory, bioregenerative hardware and “The liquid hydrogen to be Johnson said. The lab is data from the successful used by the ISPP as well as planning to build a large growth of soybean, potato, the liquid oxygen to be pro- environmental chamber that wheat, lettuce and tomato duced on Mars calls for experi- will simulate conditions on the crops are now supporting ence in the handling, transfer surface of Mars. closed-chamber testing of an and long-term storage of In spite of the futuristic ALS regenerative life support cryogenic liquids,” Johnson purpose of the ISPP, its design systems with human subjects said. “We have a lot of experi- for the most part does not call at Johnson Space Center. The ence at KSC in doing just that, for new technologies or the latest phase of the Lunar-Mars and we want to apply that development of new chemical Life Support Test Project at knowledge to help design and processes, Johnson said. JSC began Sept. 17. test the Mars cryogenic “What it does call for are the “Data from experiments up systems to assure that they knowledge and experience that to more than a year long have operate as efficiently and can lead to the development of shown that potato and wheat reliably as possible with an efficient, reduced-weight crops grown in the 20-square- minimum human involvement and reliable system that is meter KSC Biomass Produc- from Earth.” critical to the success of tion Chamber could provide PLANT researchers examine a harvest of lettuce from the KSC Biomass Production To provide an autonomous NASA’s human exploration of all of the water needs for four Chamber. Wheat, potatoes, soybeans and system to monitor the ISPP Mars.” or five crew members while tomatoes also have been harvested. Page 14 SPACEPORT NEWS December 5, 1997

Aug. 7, 1959. Explorer 6, -Able. Returned first 1970s television images of Earth from space. March 2, 1972. Pioneer 10. Atlas-Centaur-27. First spacecraft to explore beyond Pluto, first man- made object to leave the solar system.

July 23, 1972. LANDSAT 1, Delta-89. First satellite to perform major assessment of Earth resources from outer space.

Dec. 7-19, 1972. Saturn V/Apollo 17. Cernan, Evans, Schmitt. Final Apollo mission; first night launch in program.

Apollo 11 April 5, 1973. Pioneer 11, Atlas-Centaur-30. Performed flyby of Jupiter and first flyby of Saturn.

May 25, 1973. Saturn IB, 2, Conrad, U.S. Kerwin, Weitz. First crew on Skylab. Nov. 3, 1973. Mariner 10, Atlas-Centaur-34. First space flyby of Mercury. Three encounters, 1974-75.

Alan Shepard July 15-24, 1975. Saturn IB, Apollo-Soyuz Test exploration Project. Stafford, Slayton, Brand. First linkup 1960s between U.S. and Soviet crews in space. yesterday, Oct. 16, 1975, GOES-1, Delta 116. First weather April 1, 1960, Tiros 1, Thor-Able-5. First weather satellite to photograph complete disk of Earth today satellite. every 30 minutes from . May 5, 1961. Freedom 7, Mercury-Restone 3. Aug. 20, 1977. Voyager 2, Titan III-Centaur-7. First Alan Shepard become first American to fly in flybys of Uranus, Neptune and their moons. and suborbital space. Sept. 5, 1977. Voyager 1, Titan III-Centaur-6. tomorrow Feb. 20, 1962. Friendship 7, Mercury-Atlas 6. Performed flybys of Jupiter and Saturn. John Glenn. First manned U.S. orbital flight.

July 10, 1962. Telstar 1, Delta-11. First commercial .

Aug. 27, 1962. Mariner 2, Atlas-Agena-6. First U.S. interplanetary probe to reach Venus.

Aug. 22, 1963. X-15 aircraft achieves altitude record of 354,200 feet (67 miles).

July 28, 1964. Ranger 7, Atlas-Agena-9. First U.S. spacecraft to impact on the moon.

June 3-7, 1965. Gemini-Titan 4. Edward White becomes first American to walk in space. Mariner 10 May 15, 1966. Nimbus 2, Thor-Agena D. Produced satellite pictures that became popular feature on television evening news. 1980s

May 30, 1966. Surveyor 1, Atlas-Centaur-20. First U.S. spacecraft to soft-land on the moon (in the April 12-14, 1981. STS-1, Columbia. Young, Ocean of Storms area). Crippen. First flight of the Space Shuttle and first Explorer I flight of a reusable space transportation system. Jan. 27, 1967. Apollo 1 ground test fire takes lives 1950s of astronauts Grissom, Chaffee and White. June 18-24, 1983. STS-7, Challenger. Crippen, Hauck, Fabian, Ride, Thagard. Sally Ride Dec. 21-27, 1968. Apollo 8, Saturn V. Borman, becomes first American woman to fly in space. Jan. 31, 1958. Explorer I, first U.S. satellite.* Lovell, Anders. First manned flight to the Moon. Nov. 28 – Dec. 8, 1983. STS-9, Columbia. Young, October 1958. National Advisory Committee July 16-24, 1969. Apollo 11, Saturn V. Armstrong, Shaw, Garriott, Parker, Lichtenberg, Merbold. First Agency (NACA) becomes National Aeronautics Aldrin, Collins. First humans to set foot on another flight of laboratory module, provided by and Space Administration (NASA). celestial body, Earth’s moon, July 20. the European Space Agency. December 5, 1997 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 15

Oct. 15, 1997. Cassini, Titan IVB/Centaur. Mission to Saturn. Largest U.S. interplanetary spacecraft ever launched.

Future: January 1998. Lunar Prospector, launch vehicle. Discovery Program mission.

June 1998. Earth Observing System (EOS)-AM 1, aboard an intermediate class vehicle. First spacecraft in the EOS series. Will provide detailed measurements of clouds, atmospheric chemistry Deep Space 1 and the Earth’s energy balance. Mission to Planet January 2001. Genesis spacecraft, launch vehicle Earth Program. TBD. Discovery Program mission. Designed to collect samples of the charged particles in the June 1998. Functional Cargo Block, first solar wind and return them to Earth for study. International Space Station (ISS) element, to be launched on a Russian launch vehicle. February 2001. STS-113, Columbia. X-38 Return Crew Vehicle flight demonstration. STS-1 July 1998. STS-88, Endeavour. First U.S. International Space Station assembly flight. December 2001. Space Infrared Telescope Jan. 28, 1986. STS 51-L, Challenger. Scobee, Facility (SIRTF), Delta. Astrophysics mission to Smith, Resnick, Onizuka, McNair, McAuliffe, July 1998. Deep Space 1, Delta. Asteroid and provide infrared imaging and spectroscopy. Part Jarvis. Crew killed during mishap 73 seconds into comet flyby, also Mars flyby. New Millennium of NASA's Origins Program. flight. Program. Late 2001. New Millennium Interferometer. Three May 4-8, 1989. STS-30, Atlantis. Walker, Grabe, August 1998. STS-93, Columbia. Advanced X- spacecraft to be launched together and then Thagard, Cleave, Lee. Magellan mission to ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF-I). Great deployed in formation. NASA Origins program. Venus. First U.S. interplanetary explorer in 11 Observatories mission, will perform extended years. research of X-ray sources. July 2002. Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR), launch vehicle TBD. Discovery Program mission. September 1998. Wide-Field Infared Explorer Will take images and comparative spectral maps (WIRE), Pegasus. Small telescope to study of at least three comet nuclei and analyze the dust evolution of galaxies. NASA's Origins as well as flowing from them. Small Explorer Programs. 2007. Next Generation Space Telescope, launch Late 1998. First flight of the X-34 technology vehicle TBD. Will use infrared imaging and demonstrator spacecraft. Suborbital. spectroscopy to study first stars and galaxies that formed after universe first cooled. Will operate First half 1999. Earth Orbiter 1 (EO-1). Mission farther away from Earth than Hubble. to validate revolutionary technologies for Earth observation. Part of New Millennium as well as End of first decade of new millennium. Terrestrial Mission to Planet Earth Programs. Planet Finder, launch vehicle TBD. NASA Origins Program to detect planets that fall into category January 1999. ISS 2R, Soyuz. Establishes first of Earth-like. International Space Station habitation with three- person crew. Provides assured crew return STS-61 capability without the orbiter present.

1990s February 1999. Stardust. Will capture samples of interstellar dust particles and samples of dust from a comet. Discovery Program mission. April 24-29, 1990. STS-31, Discovery. Shriver, Bolden, Hawley, McCandless, Sullivan. Deployed Late 1999. First flight, X-33 Advanced Technology Hubble Space Telescope, first of NASA’s four Demonstrator, possible predecessor of next- Great Observatories. generation launch vehicle.

Dec. 2-13, 1993. STS-61, Endeavour. Covey, StarDust Bowersox, Musgrave, Hoffman, Thornton, Akers, 2000s Nicollier. First Hubble Space Telescope servicing 2010s mission. 2000, date TBD. High Energy Solar Spectroscopic 2013. Space Shuttle support for International June 27-July 7, 1995. STS-71, Atlantis. Gibson, Imager (HESSI), Pegasus. Small Explorer Space Station is completed. Precourt, Baker, Harbaugh, Dunbar, Solovyev, mission. Will observe the Sun to study particle Budarin. First Shuttle-Mir docking. acceleration and energy release in solar flares. 2013? First human mission to Mars.

Sept. 16-26, 1996. STS-79, 4th Shuttle-Mir 2001, date TBD. Galaxy Evolution Explorer * This is a selection of highlights from U.S. space docking, Atlantis. Shannon Lucid returns to Earth (GALEX), Pegasus. Small Explorer mission. Two- exploration history rather than a complete after 188 days in space, setting a U.S. record for year mission using an ultraviolet telescope to chronology. Dates provided indicate when the human long-duration as well as a explore the origin and evolution of galaxies and mission was launched. See also Page 16 for record for a woman in space. the origins of stars and heavy elements. Mars-related missions, past, present and future. Page 16 SPACEPORT NEWS December 5, 1997 Martian Odyssey Milestones in the U.S. exploration of Mars • Nov. 5, 1964, Mariner 3. Failed Mars Mars flyby. Pathfinder arrives on • Nov. 28, 1964, Mariner 4. First Mars, July 4, 1997. successful Mars flyby, July 14, 1965, returned 21 photos.

• Feb. 24, 1969, Mariner 6. Mars flyby, July 31, 1969. Mars Sample Return Mission, • March 27, 1969, Mariner 7. Mars 2005 flyby. Returned 126 photos. • Dec. 4, 1996, Mars Pathfinder. • June 2003, Mars Surveyor '03 • 2005, Sample Return Mission to • May 8, 1971, Mariner 8. Mars Landed on Mars July 4, 1997, Lander/Rover. Characterize terrain Mars. Return a sample from one of flyby. Failed during launch. deployed a rover to surface. over wide area at a site chosen the rovers launched in 2001 and earlier. Other objectives, related to 2003. • May 30, 1971, Mariner 9. First • 1998, Planet-B. U.S./Japanese eventual human exploration, are spacecraft to orbit another planet. mission to study Martian expected to be added. • 2011? Two Cargo Lander Began orbiting Mars July 13, 1971. atmosphere. missions launched toward Mars, • 2003, Mars Surveyor '03 Orbiter. paving way for humans to follow. • Aug. 20, 1975, Viking 1. Placed • December 1998, Mars Surveyor Provide communications and an orbiter in orbit around planet and '98 Orbiter. Will characterize the navigation for 2003 and later • 2013? First human crew lifts off on a lander on the surface. Martian atmosphere. missions to Mars. 180-day trip to Red Planet. • Sept. 9, 1975, Viking 2. Same as • January 1999, Mars Surveyor '98 Viking 1. Lander. Will access Martian water reservoirs and deliver two soil microprobes that are part of the Deep Space 2 mission.

Mars Surveyor, 2001

• March 2001, Mars Surveyor '01 Orbiter. Characterize surface Human mission to Mars, 2013? mineralogy and chemistry. Mariner 4 spacecraft simulator test • Sept. 25, 1992, Mars Observer. • April 2001, Mars Surveyor '01 John F. Kennedy Space Center Lost prior to Mars arrival 1993. Lander/Rover. Characterize the terrain over greater geographical Spaceport News • Nov. 7, 1996, Mars Global distances. Select and gather soil Surveyor. Arrived Sept. 11, 1997. samples for possible later return. The Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and is published on alternate Fridays by the Public Affairs Office in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks before publication to the Media Services Branch, PA-MSB or sent via e-mail to the following SMTP: [email protected] Managing editor...... Bruce Buckingham Editor...... Paula Shawa

Editorial support provided by Sherikon Space Systems Inc. Writers Group. Photographic support provided primarily by The Bionetics Corp. and Viking 1 liftoff, Aug. 20, Photographer George Shelton, also of Bionetics. 1975, aboard Titan Centaur launch vehicle. USGPO: 532-112/20060