NASA Space Technology Roadmaps and Priorities Restoring NASA's Technological Edge and Paving the Way for a New Era in Space (2012) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
2 Top Technical Challenges and High-Priority Technologies by Roadmap
2 Top Technical Challenges and High-Priority Technologies by Roadmap
Pages 16-58
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 16... ...
The high-priority technologies do not include items for which engineering development is the next step in advancing capabilities. 1 The draft space technology roadmaps are available at http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/strategic_integration/technology_roadmap.html.
|
From page 17... ...
The challenges were developed to identify the general needs NASA has within each technology area, whereas the technologies themselves address how those needs will be met. Once the top technical challenges were identified, the panels then determined the relative importance of the challenges within each technology area to put them in priority order.
|
From page 18... ...
4. Component and/ Following successful "proof- A low fidelity system/ Key, functionally Documented or breadboard of-concept" work, basic component breadboard critical software test performance validation in technological elements must is built and operated components are demonstrating agreement laboratory be integrated to establish that to demonstrate integrated, and with analytical environment.
|
From page 19... ...
TRL 7 is engineering unit exists having all key test performance an operational a significant step beyond TRL that adequately functionality available demonstrating agreement environment. 6, requiring an actual system addresses all critical for demonstration and with analytical prototype demonstration in a scaling issues is built test.
|
From page 20... ...
a minor improvement in mission performance (e.g., less than a 10 percent reduction in system launch mass)
|
From page 21... ...
Regarding the expected level of effort and timeframe for technology development: (a) are they believable given the complexity of the technology and the technical challenges to be overcome; and (b)
|
From page 22... ...
Score: 3 3. The technical risk associated with development of this technology is moderate to high, which is a good fit to NASA's level of risk tolerance for technology development, but the likely cost to NASA and the timeframe to complete technology development are expected to substantially exceed those of past efforts to develop comparable technologies.
|
From page 23... ...
The panels subsequently decided to override the QFD scores to elevate 18 medium priority technologies and 1 low priority technology (6.4.4 Remediation) to the high priority group.
|
From page 24... ...
It should be noted that the top technical challenges for each roadmap have been prioritized by the panels and are listed here in priority order. The panels were not instructed to prioritize level 3 technologies, other than to categorize them into high, medium, and low priority "bins." All high-priority technologies are described below; the order is determined by the QFD score the technology received.
|
From page 25... ...
Breakthrough technologies are not on the near horizon; therefore research and development efforts will require both significant time and financial investments. TA01 Top Technical Challenges 1.
|
From page 26... ...
, robotic science and Earth observation missions, high-thrust Earth orbit departure for crewed vehicles, low-thrust cargo transfer for human exploration, and planetary descent, landing, and ascent propulsion, and results in diverse set of technologies including traditional space-storable chemical, cryogenic chemical, various forms of electric propulsion, various forms of nuclear propulsion, chemical and electric micropropulsion, solar sails, and space tethers.
|
From page 27... ...
TA02 Top Technical Challenges 1. High-Power Electric Propulsion Systems: Develop high-power electric propulsion systems technologies to enable high ΔV missions with heavy payloads.
|
From page 28... ...
could enable larger-scale or faster missions, more efficient in-space transportation systems in Earth orbit, more afford able sample return missions, and pre-positioning of cargo and ISRU facilities for human exploration missions. Technology 2.4.2, Propellant Storage and Transfer Propellant Storage and Transfer in space includes both the long-term storage of cryogens and the transfer of these fluids between refueling stations and the propulsion systems on spacecraft, upper stages, and Moon/Mars landing and ascent vehicles.
|
From page 29... ...
thermal storage. TA03 Top Technical Challenges 1.
|
From page 30... ...
Space fission power systems would overcome mission infrastructure limitations associated with low power level availability, and can potentially provide a power rich environment to planetary surface explora tion missions and enable high power electric propulsion systems for deep-space exploration and science missions. Technology 3.3.3, Power Distribution and Transmission As science and human exploration missions of the future are examined, the need for significant increases in electrical power on spacecraft becomes a clearer and higher priority.
|
From page 31... ...
As a result, the steering committee and responsible panel did not have a list of well-defined technologies originally identified in the draft roadmaps, and have recommended a new set of level 3 technologies. TA04 Top Technical Challenges 1.
|
From page 32... ...
TA04 High-Priority Technologies Technology 4.6.2, Relative Guidance Algorithms Relative guidance technologies encompass algorithms that determine the desired trajectories to be followed between vehicles performing rendezvous, proximity operations, and/or docking and capture. These algorithms must anticipate applicable environmental effects, the nature of the trajectory change/attitude control effectors in use, and the inertial and relative navigation state data available to the guidance algorithms.
|
From page 33... ...
Technology 4.3.6, Robotic Drilling and Sample Processing Robotic drilling and sampling processing (RDSP) technologies will improve the science return of robotic science missions to small bodies, moons, and planets, and will also benefit in situ resource utilization for human spaceflight to the moon and small bodies.
|
From page 34... ...
Therefore, the Communication and Navigation technology area supports all NASA space missions. Advancement in communication and navigation technology will allow future missions to implement new and more capable science instruments, greatly enhance human missions beyond Earth orbit, and enable entirely new mission concepts.
|
From page 35... ...
Advancements in radio systems integration focus on one of the highest-priority technical challenges within TA05: Minimize communications constraints on data rate and range that impact plan ning and execution of future NASA space missions. The steering committee assessed the benefit of radio systems technologies as resulting in major mission performance improvements due to the potential to improve throughput, versatility, and reliability with lower SWAP impact on the host spacecraft.
|
From page 36... ...
6.5.4 was then restructured and renamed "Human Radiation Prediction." TA06 Top Technical Challenges 1. Space Radiation Effects on Humans: Improve the understanding of space radiation effects on humans and develop radiation protection technologies to enable long-duration human missions.
|
From page 37... ...
The challenge is in finding the optimum approach that reduces radiation exposure while meeting overall mission mass, cost, and other design considerations. Technology 6.5.1, Radiation Risk Assessment Modeling Radiation risk is consistently ranked as one of the highest risks to long duration human exploration missions, and risk limits based on current risk assessment models focusing on cancer incidence would be exceeded after only 4 to 6 months in deep space.
|
From page 38... ...
Technology 6.5.2, Radiation Mitigation It is generally considered that shielding alone will not eliminate galactic cosmic ray exposure; therefore there is a need to explore biological/pharmacological countermeasures to mitigate the effect of continuous radiation exposure, as well as to limit the severity of acute radiation effects should an astronaut be exposed during a solar particle event to a significant dose of radiation. ECLSS/Habitation Technology 6.1.4, ECLSS Habitation The habitation technology area focuses on functions that closely interface with life support systems, including food production, food preparation/processing, crew hygiene, metabolic waste collection and stabilization, clothing/ laundry, and re-use/recycling of logistics trash.
|
From page 39... ...
TA07 Human Exploration Destination Systems The roadmap for TA07, Human Exploration Destination Systems, includes six technology subareas: in situ resource utilization, sustainability and supportability, advanced human mobility systems, advanced habitat systems, missions operations and safety, and cross cutting technologies. The technologies included in TA07 are necessary for supporting human operations and scientific research during space exploration missions, both in transit and on surfaces.
|
From page 40... ...
Key technical challenges are the in situ characterization of the raw resources, demonstration of resource recovery and beneficiation, establishment of the optimum processes under the relevant gravity environment, and production of the strategic products necessary to support future explorations missions.
|
From page 41... ...
The production of oxygen, water, fuel, metals, and building/construction materi als would be particularly beneficial, and these capabilities would be in strong alignment with NASA's human exploration program needs. Development of system components and autonomous plant operations also ranks high in benefits and alignment.
|
From page 42... ...
The potentially long duration of future missions coupled with long response times for resupply makes it imperative not only that the health of the vehicle and habitat be known, but also that the mission team know the failure tolerance of the integrated system. Technology 7.2.4, Food Production/Processing/Preservation The ability to reduce the volume, waste, and mass associated with the mission food supply must be a priority for the development team, as it will be one of the limiting consumables in any long endurance trip.
|
From page 43... ...
. TA08 Top Technical Challenges 1.
|
From page 44... ...
Major advances can come either via a large single structure or apertures distributed across two or more spacecraft and will additionally depend on advances in high-performance computing in space. TA08 High-Priority Technologies Technology 8.2.4, High-Contrast Imaging and Spectroscopic Technologies Development of these technologies would enhance high-dynamic-range imaging and support exoplanet imag ing, enabling the discovery of potentially habitable planets, facilitating advances in solar physics, and enabling the study of faint structures around bright objects.
|
From page 45... ...
. TA09 Top Technical Challenges EDL has commonly been one of the more challenging areas of NASA missions and has been characterized by significant failures as well as many near misses.
|
From page 46... ...
NASA's future missions will require ever greater mass delivery capability in order to place scientifically significant instrument packages on distant bodies of interest, to facilitate sample returns from bodies of interest, and to enable human exploration of planets such as Mars. As the maximum mass that can be delivered to an entry interface is fixed for a given launch system and trajectory design, the mass delivered to the surface will require reductions in spacecraft structural mass; more efficient, lighter thermal protection systems; more efficient lighter propulsion systems; and lighter, more efficient deceleration systems.
|
From page 47... ...
Technology 9.1.4, Deployable Hypersonic Decelerators Current entry systems employ traditional rigid decelerator architectures to provide thermal protection and deceleration following entry interfaces. The shape and size of rigid devices define aerodynamic performance and in order to improve performance, size becomes the first order driving parameter.
|
From page 48... ...
While systems integration and analyses technology is not expected to be game-changing, it is considered a high-priority technol ogy because it supports the complete mission set, provides low risk and reasonableness, requires minimal time and effort, and is applicable to achieving all six of the EDL top technical challenges. Additional Information Facilities and continuity are two subjects that are not within the purview of the Office of the Chief Technologist but are critical to the success of EDL developments and therefore forefront to discussions by the panel and also by numerous participants in the EDL workshop and in the open survey.
|
From page 49... ...
The success of NASA space missions relies heavily on a variety of sensing methods and sensor technologies for numerous environments in addition to scientific data collection. Nano-sensor technology allows the incorpora tion of sensors in structures and systems that are smaller, more energy efficient, and more sensitive, allowing for more complete and accurate health assessments.
|
From page 50... ...
Additional Information Future NASA missions depend highly on advances such as lighter and stronger materials, increased reliability, and reduced manufacturing and operating costs, all of which will be impacted by the incorporation of nanotechnol ogy. Major challenges to the broad use and incorporation of nano-engineered materials into useful products are the limited availability of certain raw nanomaterials and their variable quality.
|
From page 51... ...
Before prioritizing the level 3 technologies of TA11, 11.2.4, Science and Engineering Modeling, was divided into two parts: 11.2.4a, Science Modeling and Simulation, and 11.2.4b, Aerospace Engineering Modeling and Simulation. TA11 Top Technical Challenges 1.
|
From page 52... ...
NASA identified human radiation protection and reliability technologies as two critical areas upon which the technologies in TA12 should be focused. TA12 Top Technical Challenges 1.
|
From page 53... ...
Advanced NASA space missions need affordable structures, electronics systems, and optical payloads, requir ing advances in manufacturing technologies. In-space manufacturing offers the potential for game-changing weight savings and new mission opportunities.
|
From page 54... ...
A model-based virtual design certification methodology could be developed to design and certify space structures more cost-effectively. This technology provides another path to lighter and more affordable space structures while assuring adequate reliability, and is applicable to all NASA space vehicles including uncrewed, robotic, and human-rated vehicles for use in science missions, and human exploration over extended periods of time.
|
From page 55... ...
This could reduce the mass that must be carried into space for some exploration missions, and furthermore this technology promises improved affordability of one-off structures made from high-performance materials. This technology is applicable to all NASA space vehicles including uncrewed, robotic, and human-rated vehicles for use in science missions, and human exploration over extended periods of time.
|
From page 56... ...
Before prioritizing the technologies of TA13, the panel considered the TA13 breakdown structure but did not recommend any changes. TA13 Top Technical Challenges Although advanced technology can contribute to solving the major challenges of advances in ground and launch systems (for example, cost and safety concerns)
|
From page 57... ...
Operational instrumentation is necessary to understand anomalies, material or performance degradation and performance enhancements, and advanced science mission measurements. TA14 High-Priority Technologies Technology 14.3.1, Ascent/Entry TPS Effective heat shields and thermal insulation during ascent and atmospheric entry are mission-critical for all robotic and human missions that require entry into a planetary atmosphere.
|
From page 58... ...
2011. Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022.
|
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.