Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 (2011) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
11 The Role of Technology Development in Planetary Exploration
11 The Role of Technology Development in Planetary Exploration
Pages 303-312
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 303... ...
The story is essentially the same for all pioneering robotic planetary missions: they would not have been possible, and would not have produced such extraordinary results, without the visionary technology developments that enabled or enhanced their capabilities. Continued success of the NASA planetary exploration program depends on two major elements.
|
From page 304... ...
Metaphorically, reallocating technology money to cover tactical exigencies is tantamount to "eating the seed corn." The committee unequivocally recommends that a substantial program of planetary exploration technology development should be reconstituted and carefully protected against all incursions that would deplete its resources. This program should be consistently funded at approximately 6 to 8 percent of the total NASA Planetary Science Division budget.
|
From page 305... ...
A new flight project that desires to use a specific technology must either complete the development itself, with the concomitant cost and schedule risk, or forgo the capability altogether. To properly complement the flight mission program, therefore, the committee recommends that the Planetary Science Division's technology program should accept the responsibility, and assign the required funds, to continue the development of the most important technology items through TRL 6.
|
From page 306... ...
Truly innovative, breakthrough technologies appear to stand little chance of success in the competition for development money inside NASA, because, by their very nature, they are directed toward far-future objectives rather than specific near-term missions. The committee hopes that the new NASA Office of the Chief Technologist formed in 2010 will reconstitute an activity similar to the previous NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC)
|
From page 307... ...
Since more efficient use of the limited plutonium supply will help to ensure a robust and ongoing planetary program, the committee's highest priority for near-term multi-mission technology investment is for the completion and validation of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator. Progress in these core technology areas will benefit virtually all planetary missions, regardless of their specific mission profile or destination.
|
From page 308... ...
They can benefit from, and in fact are enabled by, strategic technology investments. The following sections provide a brief summary of the technological needs for the five flagship mission candidates discussed in Chapter 9.
|
From page 309... ...
For the later elements in the Mars Sample Return campaign, the two greatest technological challenges are the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) , which will carry the samples from the martian surface to Mars orbit, and the end-to-end planetary protection and sample containment system.
|
From page 310... ...
RECOMMENDED TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS Science Instruments The instruments carried by planetary missions provide the data to address key science questions and test scientific hypotheses. Among the wide variety of missions are flybys, orbiters, atmospheric probes, landers, rovers, and sample returns.
|
From page 311... ...
The committee recommends that, as part of a balanced portfolio, a significant percentage of the Planetary Science Division's technology funding be set aside for expanding the environmental adaptability of existing engineering and science instrument capabilities. In Situ Exploration Future missions will emphasize in situ exploration in a variety of environments.
|
From page 312... ...
Table 11.3 presents an example of a technology investment profile that would have the appropriate balance. TABLE 11.3 An Example of a Possible Technology Investment Profile That Would Be Appropriately Balanced for the Future Requirements for Solar System Exploration Technology Element Percentage Allocation Key Capabilities Science instruments 35 Environmental adaptation Radiation tolerance In situ sample analysis and age dating Planetary protection Extreme environments 15 Survivability under high temperature and pressure Radiation tolerance (subsystems)
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.