2011 American Astronautical Society Robert H. Goddard Memorial Symposium--Laurie Leshin, NASA

1. PLANS FOR HUMAN EXPLORATION BEYOND LOW EARTH ORBIT Laurie Leshin, Deputy AA ESMD March 30, 2011

2. Explore to Prosper Discover Address grand challenges about ourselves, our world, our cosmic surroundings Innovate Provide opportunities to develop new technologies, new jobs, and new markets Inspire Inspire students to explore, learn, contribute to our nation’s economic competitiveness, and build a better future

3. A Bounty of Opportunity for Human Explorers Near Earth Asteroids: – Compelling science questions: How did the Solar System form? Where did Earth’s water and organics come from? – Planetary defense: Understanding and mitigating the threat of impact – Potential for valuable space resources – Excellent stepping stone for Mars 3 Mars and its Moons: – A premier destination for discovery: Is there life beyond Earth? How did Mars evolve? – True possibility for extended, even permanent, stays – Significant opportunities for international collaboration – Technological driver for space systems HEO/GEO/Lagrange Points: – Microgravity destinations beyond LEO – Opportunities for construction, fueling and repair of complex in-space systems – Excellent locations for advanced space telescopes and Earth observers Earth’s Moon: – Witness to the birth of the Earth and inner planets – Has critical resources to sustain humans – Significant opportunities for commercial and international collaboration

4. Destinations for Expansion of Humans Into the Solar System Enabled by FY 2012 Investments Mars 4 “Planetary Exploration” Access to Planetary Surfaces Phobos/Deimos “Full Capability” NEA “Exploring Other Worlds” Access to Low-Gravity Bodies “Minimal” NEA Mission Lunar Surface Missions “Into the Solar System” Human Exploration of Interplanetary Space Lunar Flyby & Orbit Increments in technology, systems, flight elements development and operational experience GEO/HEO Missions “Gaining the High Ground” Human Access to Cis-Lunar Space Key New LEO Missions Candidate Destination

5. The President’s Budget Request and Authorization Act of 2010 Align with Capability-Driven Framework Needs In Low Earth Orbit: ISS being utilized for critical exploration research and demonstrations Cargo and crew access to ISS being developed through innovative partnerships with private sector SLS and MPCV are initial essential capabilities required for NASA and the U.S. to lead exploration beyond LEO These vehicles provide capabilities needed for exploration of many destinations, including cis-lunar space, the moon, asteroids and Mars and its environs Required research, technologies and capabilities development beyond SLS and MPCV are supported in ESMD and OCT Exploration of more complex destinations will be enabled as key capabilities are developed over time 5

6. Capability-Enabled Framework NASA will open the inner solar system to human explorers via investments in capabilities that will enable more complex missions over time Full Capability Near-Earth Asteroid Minimum Near-Earth Asteroid Geosynchronous/ High-Earth Orbit Mars Moons Lunar Orbit/Vicinity Mars Surface Full Capability Near-Earth Asteroid Lunar Surface Minimum Near-Earth Asteroids Orbit Mission Lunar Orbit/Vicinity Destinations Capability 6

7. Opening the Solar System: A Sustainable Future for Human Explorers

8. If Star Trekcan reimagine itself… …why not NASA?

10. Expansion of Human Exploration Capabilities Minimal NEA Missions 34A Mars Elements 6: Enable Mars Missions Distance Surface Capabilities Needed Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV) Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) 5: Enable Deep Space Missions Long Duration Habitation Needed Deep Space Habitat (DSH) Lunar Flyby &Orbital Missions 33A 33B 4: Enable Long Duration Missions New LEO Missions Crew EVA Suit Block 2 31A Lunar Lander & GPOD Mars Missions 35A 35B 3: Enable Lunar Surface Missions Advanced Propulsion Needed GEO/HEO Missions 32A 32B Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (CPS) Key High Thrust in-Space Propulsion Needed 2: Enable Missions Beyond LEO Robotics & EVA Module (REM) Full Capability NEA Missions Capability Gates 34B Crew EVA Suit Block 1 Lunar Surface Missions Candidate Destination Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) 33C DRM Space Launch System - HLLV Ultimate Destination Goal DRM Element Capability 10 1: Enable New LEO Missions Mission Duration