SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AEROSPACE REPORTS

A Biweekly Publication of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
VOLUME 44, ISSUE 11 - MAY 30, 2006

91 LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION
Includes planetology; selenology; meteorites; comets; and manned and unmanned planetary and lunar flights.

For spacecraft design or space stations see 18 Spacecraft Design, Testing and Performance.

20060013247 NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA

Human Factors Engineering as a System in the Vision for Exploration

Whitmore, Mihriban; Smith, Danielle; Holden, Kritina; [2006]; 1 pp.; In English; Habitation 2006, 6-8 Feb. 2006, Orlando, FL, USA Contract(s)/Grant(s): NAS9-02078; Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A01, Hardcopy

In order to accomplish NASA's Vision for Exploration, while assuring crew safety and productivity, human performance issues must be well integrated into system design from mission conception. To that end, a two-year Technology Development Project (TDP) was funded by NASA Headquarters to develop a systematic method for including the human as a system in NASA's Vision for Exploration.

The specific goals of this project are to review current Human Systems Integration (HSI) standards (i.e., industry, military, NASA) and tailor them to selected NASA Exploration activities. Once the methods are proven in the selected domains, a plan will be developed to expand the effort to a wider scope of Exploration activities. The methods will be documented for inclusion in NASA-specific documents (such as the Human Systems Integration Standards, NASA-STD-3000) to be used in future space systems.

The current project builds on a previous TDP dealing with Human Factors Engineering processes. That project identified the key phases of the current NASA design lifecycle, and outlined the recommended HFE activities that should be incorporated at each phase. The project also resulted in a prototype of a webbased HFE process tool that could be used to support an ideal HFE development process at NASA. This will help to augment the limited human factors resources available by providing a web-based tool that explains the importance of human factors, teaches a recommended process, and then provides the instructions, templates and examples to carry out the process steps.

The HFE activities identified by the previous TDP are being tested in situ for the current effort through support to a specific NASA Exploration activity. Currently, HFE personnel are working with systems engineering personnel to identify HSI impacts for lunar exploration by facilitating the generation of systemlevel Concepts of Operations (ConOps). For example, medical operations scenarios have been generated for lunar habitation in order to identify HSI requirements for the lunar communications architecture. Throughout these ConOps exercises, HFE personnel are testing various tools and methodologies that have been identified in the literature. A key part of the effort is the identification of optimal processes, methods, and tools for these early development phase activities, such as ConOps, requirements development, and early conceptual design. An overview of the activities completed thus far, as well as the tools and methods investigated will be presented. Author

Human Factors Engineering; Systems Integration; Lunar Exploration; Aerospace Systems; NASA Space Programs

20060013412 NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, USA

EXPLORING MARS WITH SOLAR-POWERED ROVERS

Landis, Geoffrey A.; [2006[; 4 pp.; In English; 31st Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 3-7 Jan. 2005, Orlando, FL, USA; Original contains color and black and white illustrations Contract(s)/Grant(s): WBS 22-390-30-20; No Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A01, Hardcopy

The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) project landed two solar-powered rovers, 'Spirit' and 'Opportunity,' on the surface of Mars in January of 2003. This talk reviews the history of solar-powered missions to Mars and looks at the science mission of the MER rovers, focusing on the solar energy and array performance. Author

Roving Vehicles; Mars Exploration; Solar Energy; Mars Surface; Mars Missions

20060013432 NASA Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, FL, USA

NASA Space Exploration Logistics Workshop Proceedings

deWeek, Oliver; Evans, William A.; Parrish, Joe; James, Sarah; April 2006; 33 pp.; In English; 1st NASA Space Exploration Logistics Workshop, 17-18 Jan. 2006, Washington, DC, USA; Original contains color illustrations Contract(s)/Grant(s): NK05OA50C Report No.(s): NASA/CP-2006-214202; No Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A03, Hardcopy

As NASA has embarked on a new Vision for Space Exploration, there is new energy and focus around the area of manned space exploration. These activities encompass the design of new vehicles such as the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) and Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) and the identification of commercial opportunities for space transportation services, as well as continued operations of the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. Reaching the Moon and eventually Mars with a mix of both robotic and human explorers for short term missions is a formidable challenge in itself. How to achieve this in a safe, efficient and long-term sustainable way is yet another question. The challenge is not only one of vehicle design, launch, and operations but also one of space logistics. Oftentimes, logistical issues are not given enough consideration upfront, in relation to the large share of operating budgets they consume. In this context, a group of 54 experts in space logistics met for a two-day workshop to discuss the following key questions: 1. What is the current state-of the art in space logistics, in terms of architectures, concepts, technologies as well as enabling processes? 2. What are the main challenges for space logistics for future human exploration of the Moon and Mars, at the intersection of engineering and space operations? 3. What lessons can be drawn from past successes and failures in human space flight logistics? 4. What lessons and connections do we see from terrestrial analogies as well as activities in other areas, such as U.S. military logistics? 5. What key advances are required to enable long-term success in the context of a future interplanetary supply chain? These proceedings summarize the outcomes of the workshop, reference particular presentations, panels and breakout sessions, and record specific observations that should help guide future efforts. Derived from text

Space Commercialization; Robotics; Spacecrews; Spacecraft Launching; Space Logistics; Space Exploration

20060013464 NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA

To Mars by the Way of the Moon

Carpenter, Joyce; 2004; 21 pp.; In English; Mars Society Meeting, 4 Nov. 2004, Atlanta, GA, USA; Original contains black and white illustrations Contract(s)/Grant(s): 7611012-E0608; No Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A03, Hardcopy

The Vision for Space Exploration defines a new U.S. space exploration policy. In support of this policy, through a renewed spirit of discovery, NASA will: a) Implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program to explore the Solar System and beyond; b) Extend human presence across the Solar System, staring with a human return to the moon by the year 2020, in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations; c) Develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures both to explore and to support decisions about destination for future human exploration; and d) Promote international and commercial participation in exploration to further U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests. Derived from text

Space Exploration; Solar System; Policies; Moon; Mars (Planet); Robotics

20060013465 Lockheed Martin Space Operations, Houston, TX, USA

The Advanced Integration Matrix Project and Analog Sites: Difference or Duplication?

Wells, Kevin M.; [2004]; 5 pp.; In English; 34th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 19-22 Jul. 2004, Colorado Springs, CO, USA Contract(s)/Grant(s): NAS9-19100 Report No.(s): 04ICES-336; Copyright; Avail.: Other Sources

Several project teams have conducted Mars and Lunar mission simulations at analog sites and facilities over the past decade. These projects have a range of scope, participants, and objectives. NASA has provided many of these projects with funding, equipment, and personnel. Despite their variety, a consistent aim of these sites is advancing our capability to return to the Moon or to go to Mars. The Advanced Integration Matrix (AIM) Project was begun in 2002 with a corollary aim: that of advancing the technology needed for long duration human exploration of space. As a new project, it is prudent to ask and answer the question: 'What does AIM offer to NASA that is distinct from what current and past analog sites offer?' The price tag for human spaceflight is high enough without needless duplication of efforts. The AIM Project concept is distinct from currently operating terrestrial analogs in three important ways. First, AIM is not strictly an analog site or facility; second, AIM is primarily focused on systems and integration issues; and finally, AIM is organizationally related to NASA s advanced development groups and subject to the rigors of the JSC Engineering Directorate s development process. The successful development of destination-independent, cost-effective, safe, and reliable long duration human exploration systems requires that NASA use both the analog sites and ground-based systems integration efforts. The Advanced Integration Matrix Project will not simply duplicate the former, but will give the agency the capability for the latter. Author

Mars Missions; Analog Data; Numerical Integration; Simulation; Systems Integration; Systems Engineering

Source: NASA