Extensibility of Human Asteroid Mission to Mars and Other Destinations

Abstract

This paper will describe the benefits of execution of the Asteroid Redirect Mission as an early mission in deep space, demonstrating solar electric propulsion, deep space robotics, ground and on-board navigation, docking, and EVA. The paper will also discuss how staging in trans-lunar space and the elements associated with this mission are excellent building blocks for subsequent deep space missions to Mars or other destinations. NomenclatureARM = Asteroid Redirect Mission ARCM = Asteroid Redirect Crewed Mission ARRM = Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission ARRV = Asteroid Redirect Robotic Vehicle DOF = Degree of Freedom DRO = Distant Retrograde Orbit DSS = Deployable Space Systems EHF = Extremely High Frequency ELV = Expendable Launch Vehicle This material is declared a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. SpaceOps Conferences ISRU = In-Situ Resource Utilization LEA = Launch/Entry/Abort MACES = Modified Advanced Crew Escape Suit NEA = Near-Earth Asteroid NEOO = Near-Earth Object Observations NRE = Non-Recurring Engineering PLSS = Portable Life Support System RBC = Robotic Boulder Capture ROSA = Roll-Out Solar Array SAC = Small Asteroid Capture SEP = Solar Electric Propulsion SLS = Space Launch System STMD