aMARTE A MARS ROADMAP FOR TRAVEL AND EXPLORATION Final Report International Space University Space Studies Program 2016 © International Space University. All Rights Reserved. The 2016 Space Studies Program of the International Space University (ISU) was hosted by the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel. aMARTE has been selected as the name representing the Mars Team Project. This choice was motivated by the dual meaning the term conveys. aMARTE first stands for A Mars Roadmap for Travel and Exploration, the official label the team has adopted for the project. Alternatively, aMARTE can be interpreted from its Spanish roots "amarte," meaning "to love," or can also be viewed as "a Marte," meaning "going to Mars." This play on words represents the mission and spirit of the team, which is to put together a roadmap including various disciplines for a human mission to Mars and demonstrate a profound commitment to Mars exploration. The aMARTE title logo was developed based on sections of the astrological symbols for Earth and Mars. The blue symbol under the team's name represents Earth, and the orange arrow symbol is reminiscent of the characteristic color of Mars. The arrow also serves as an invitation to go beyond the Earth and explore our neighboring planet. Electronic copies of the Final Report and the Executive Summary can be downloaded from the ISU Library website at http://isulibrary.isunet.edu/ International Space University Strasbourg Central Campus Parc d’Innovation 1 rue Jean-Dominique Cassini 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden France Tel +33 (0)3 88 65 54 30 Fax +33 (0)3 88 65 54 47 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.isunet.edu I. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The International Space University Space Studies Program 2016 and the work of Team Project aMARTE were made possible through the generous support of the following organizations and individuals: Chair: Jacob Cohen NASA Ames Research Center Teaching Associate: Josh Richards International Space University Staff Editors: Ruth McAvinia International Space University Vanessa Stroh International Space University Visiting lecturers and supporters: John F. Connolly NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, International Space University Michael Hecht Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chris McKay NASA Ames Research Center Doug Archer NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Vincent Guillard Airbus Defense and Space Richard Quinn NASA Ames Research Center, SETI Institute François Spiero Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales Alfonso Davila Carl Sagan Centre at the SETI Institute, NASA Ames Research Center Kris Lehnhardt School of Medicine and Health Sciences at George Washington University John Hogan NASA Ames Research Center Michael Flynn NASA Ames Research Center David Beaty NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Gerald Sanders NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Raymond M. Wheeler NASA Kennedy Space Center Jonathan Faull International Space University Petter Skanke International Space University Sponsor: ISU and Team Project aMARTE wish to express their sincere appreciation to the NASA Mars Exploration Program for its sponsorship of this project. i II. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS MANSOOR AHMAD UNITED KINGDOM MOR LANGER APPEL ISRAEL ALON ATARY ISRAEL JINGBIN BAI CHINA DINA BEGUN ISRAEL EDWARD BURGER SWITZERLAND DAMIANA CATANOSO ITALY LINDA DAO CANADA MATTHEW FOSTER CANADA RAVI GANDAM INDIA MATHIEU GRIALOU FRANCE ZHENFENG GU CHINA HONGQING LI CHINA BAPTISTE LOMBARD FRANCE ADAM MCSWEENEY UNITED KINGDOM NICOLAS MEIRHAEGHE FRANCE MARIA NESTORIDI GREECE TOBIAS NIEDERWIESER AUSTRIA JOHANNES NORHEIM NORWAY ELIZAVETA ORLOVA RUSSIA HANNAH PETERSSON SWEDEN HARRY PRICE UNITED KINGDOM JÉRÉMY RABINEAU FRANCE NAHUM ROMERO MEXICO DAVID SHMUEL ISRAEL MAAYANE SOUMAGNAC FRANCE ZHENGJI SONG CHINA GEN TANG CHINA LIU YEKUI CHINA BING ZHANG CHINA ii III. ABSTRACT Recent science results from robotic Mars programs revealed a new perspective on the Martian environment that is directly relevant to human exploration. New discoveries that have been identified are the detection of shallow ground ice at middle latitudes, hydrated soils at the equator, nitrates, perchlorates, organic material, methane, and residual crustal magnetism, as well as first measurements of radiation, mineralogy, and the upper atmosphere. These findings may provide important resources for human exploration and insight into Martian history while at the same time pose new challenges. As part of the 2016 Space Studies Program of the International Space University, hosted at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, an international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary team of professionals participated in a project to explore the implications of new discoveries in the Martian environment on a future human exploration mission to Mars. Water, and in particular flowing water, is essential for life as we know it on Earth and is an important resource for any future human presence on Mars. While perchlorates may pose a significant hazard to future space missions, they may also be leveraged as a resource. The detection of organics and the measurement of the radiation environment at the surface indicate potential for subsurface life, which will influence human surface operations. In•situ resource utilization for life support and habitability will reduce the mass needing to be sent from Earth and reduce mission risk. The link between the identified implications and policy, law, and business considerations is discussed. Presented in this report is a Mars human exploration science and technology roadmap of priorities needed to further understand the potential use and effect of the Mars environment on crew and hardware. This roadmap is needed to further understand the potential use and effect of the Mars environment on crew and hardware. iii IV. FACULTY PREFACE ‘‘I’ve still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission.” - HAL9000, 2001 – A Space Odyssey With their deadline approaching and the hours winding down, the aMARTE team is still hard at work. Their objective to create a Mars roadmap for travel and exploration was set particularly in the context of new discoveries about the Martian environment. Faced with the task of learning old discoveries as well as the new ones, and proposing strategies for future missions, the project team demonstrated dedication, teamwork, and ownership of the future; a future that will get us to Mars. Assembled in Israel, the team gathered from all over the world to set their sights on their new destination in space. The Mars environment presents both challenges and opportunities for space exploration and for finding Martian life. What will it take to make humans on Mars a reality and not science fiction? When will our species truly step out of our nest called Earth? The aMARTE team looked at the problem from every angle, discussing and debating their priorities and preconceived ideas. While the search for knowledge and economic growth are critical, without a space exploration destination we will not move forward. Is the overarching goal of space exploration the present or is it to create a better future for humanity through collaboration? It is the shared imagination, persistence, and compassion of humanity that will lead to a better future. Working together, the ISU SSP16 family not only advanced space education, but also developed strong bonds that will last forever. These friendships lead to future collaborations and change space exploration. I thank all the ISU staff, lecturers, our host Israel and the Technion and most of all Josh Richards, my Teaching Associate, and the participants of this project. In the words of the aMARTE team, this project was wonderful, unforgettable, eye-opening, Sababa, intense, revelatory, expanding, inconceivable, Martianic, mind-opening, forward-thinking, intensifying, and awesome. Jacob Cohen, Ph.D. “No! Try not! Do. Or Do Not. There Is No Try.” - Master Yoda, Star Wars -Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back URSE iv V. PARTICIPANT PREFACE Greetings Martian enthusiasts! Prepare to learn that solely living off potatoes will NOT attain human survivability on Mars. Space exploration has always piqued the interest of humanity. Taking this interest one step further is the idea to investigate our neighboring planet, Mars, where the potential for the establishment of a human presence is ever growing. Can humans live on Mars? For how long? What are the benefits of living on Mars? What do we need there, and what do we need to bring? What do we need to know before going there? As new discoveries about the Martian environment are made by sending robotic rovers to Mars, the implications for a human mission are increasing and extending. The challenge has been set to prepare for the human exploration of Mars in the coming years. In this report, the aMARTE Team connects the new discoveries with various implications for a human mission to Mars. As you read, you will find information giving a snapshot of the Martian environment before diving into the advancements of seven unique disciplines in the context of establishing a human presence on Mars. Individually, members of the aMARTE Team scoured a diverse range of resources within their familiarized discipline. Together, the team then tied the information in a unique format that is coherent and unified. We brainstormed future developments and recommendations to accomplish a human Mars mission and end with a clear, visual roadmap to Mars. The roadmap of recommendations is targeted towards a wide audience including, but not limited