Overview of InSitu Resource Utilization ISRU Activities

1
Overview of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)
Activities Goals

• Space Resources Roundtable Meeting
• Nov. 1, 2004

Jerry B. Sanders NASA/JSC Houston, TX,
77058 [phone] gerald.b.sanders_at_nasa.gov
2
New Space Exploration Vision
This cause of exploration and discovery is not
an option we choose it is a desire written in
the human heart. President Bush January 14,
2004

• On January 14, the President announced a new
  vision for NASA
• Implement a sustained and affordable human and
  robotic program to explore the solar system and
  beyond
• Extend human presence across the solar system,
  starting with a human return to the Moon by the
  year 2020, in preparation for human exploration
  of Mars and other destinations
• Develop the innovative technologies, knowledge,
  and infrastructures both to explore and to
  support decisions about the destinations for
  human exploration and
• Promote international and commercial
  participation in exploration to further U.S.
  scientific, security, and economic interests.

3
NASA Vision, Mission, Exploration Overview

• Human Exploration Overview
• Missions are exploration-driven and
  science-enabled
• Progressive expansion of robotic and human
  exploration from Earth Orbit to
• Return to the moon robotically by 2008
• Human flight of the Crew Exploration Vehicle by
  2014
• Utilize robotic precursors to explore and
  demonstrate critical capabilities for human
  exploration
• Return to the moon with humans by 2020 to prepare
  for Mars

• To Meet NASAs Vision Mission robotic and human
  exploration must be Sustainable, Affordable,
  Flexible, Beneficial, and Safe

• In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) was
  identified as a significant goal
• Use lunar exploration activities to develop and
  test new approaches, technologies, and systems,
  including use of lunar and other space resources,
  to support sustained human space exploration to
  Mars and other destinations
• Conduct robotic exploration across the solar
  system to search for evidence of life, to
  understand the history of the solar system, and
  to search for resources
• Develop and demonstrate power generation,
  propulsion, life support, and other key
  capabilities required to support more distant,
  more capable, and/or longer duration human and
  robotic exploration of Mars and other
  destinations
• Pursue commercial opportunities for providing
  transportation and other services supporting the
  ISS and exploration missions beyond low Earth
  orbit

4
ISRU Steering Committee Working Group

• In February 2004, NASA re-established an ISRU
  Steering Committee and Working Group
• Open Forum at STAIF 2004, Albuquerque, NM
• ISRU Steering Committee (SC)
• Members are main points of contact at each Center
  and are considered leads for
• Center activities
• Enterprise activities
• Specific area of ISRU
• Members wear more than one hat to keep size to
  a manageable level
• Members lead/co-lead different areas of ISRU
  development
• ISRU Working Group (WG)
• Consists of individuals in government, industry,
  academia willing to participate in open
  discussions and meetings
• AIAA Space Colonization TC/ISRU TC
• Space Resources Roundtable
• Supports Steering Committee activities by
• Providing ideas, suggestions, feedback on
  Steering Committee products

5
ISRU Steering Committee Roles

• Coordinate ISRU activities across Codes,
  Committees, et.al.
• Standing weekly telecons, regularly scheduled
  meetings
• Common Internet site for pitches, papers
  (ISRU.ksc.nasa.gov)
• Establish element sub-element leads across
  agency to fulfill One NASA objective
• Identify critical ISRU Capabilities and
  identify technologies
• Develop criteria for prioritizing
  technologies/capabilities
• Formulation, Reviews selection of NRAs,
  proposals, quad charts, etc.
• Perform Studies System modeling
• Develop plans and roadmaps, perform gap analyses,
  and help define funding requirements
• ASTP, TMP, SBIR
• NASA and Corporate IRD
• Foster and promote collaborative activities
• Joint proposals studies
• Focus topics at conferences, session chairs,
  calls for papers, ISRU short course, etc.
• Symposium, Space Resources Roundtable, AIAA ISRU
  TC
• Serve as Points of Contact (POCs) for DOD,
  DARPA, DOE

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Over ISRU Activities Since February, 2004

• Core/Blue/White/Red Team
• 2 Design Reference Architectures (DRAs) examined
• Minimum moon approach
• Only go to moon if it reduces risk of going to
  Mars
• spend on moon is taken from Mars
• Short staytime on Mars (lt90 days)
• No pre-positioning or split missions
• Current architectures and budget minimize need
  for ISRU
• Large number of issues and studies identified
  that must be resolved before proceeding
• ISRU Architecture Study for RASC
• JSC, KSC, Colorado School of Mines, Florida
  Institute of Technology participating
• Examining impact of ISRU on broad mission
  concepts from both mass economic modeling point
  of view
• Mars Human Precursor Science Steering Group
• Considered both Measurements and
  Technology/Infrastructure required before humans
  explore Mars
• 3 Mission Phases Transit Phase, Entry, Descent,
  Landing, Assent Phase, and Surface Phase
• ISRU identified as mid to high priority for
  Measurements precursor Demonstrations

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Mars ISRU Flight Demo Mission Evolution
Early
Late
Mid
Pre (2009)
01 Mars Odyssey
Deep Drilling for Water

• Top 1m water content

Mars Science Drilling
Launch
03 MER Rovers
Non-mission critical ISRU ISRU-Extended
mission ISRU Enabled mission Science
mission launch Return

• 10 m drill

• Deep drilling gt3000 m (acquifer at 270 K)

• Surface regolith mechanics

04 Mars Express

• Subsurface water content

05 Mars Recon Orbiter

• Subsurface water content

In-Situ Manufacturing Construction
Regolith Processing for Manufacturing-Construction
Regolith-Water ISRU Processing (small scale)
07 Phoenix

• Validate regolith processing material/metal
  separation for in-situ manufacturing
  construction

• Regolith-water near poles
• Volatiles in regolith

• Validate regolith-based resource collection use
  for human mission
• Extract usable quantities of water

Bio-Plant Growth

• Validate plant growth in regolith use of Mars
  water

In-Situ Water
09 MSL
Human Mission w/ ISRU LO2 Fuel Plant

• Shallow water, neutron spectrometer

Mars Sample Return
In-Situ Consumable Production
Atm. ISRU Processing Env. Compatibility
ISRU Human Dress Rehearsal (large scale)
(small scale MIP-PUMPP-MECA)

• Make measurements validate ISPP hardware and
  materials in actual environment
• Validate atmosphere resource collection use
• Validate propellant production storage
  technology for sample return mission
• Perform dramatic demonstration to engage public
  (engine firing)

ISRU Human-Science Mission (mid scale)

• Validate ISRU process to be used on human mission
• Extract usable quantities of water

Each mission increases in complexity and
increases confidence in using ISRU

• Utilize ISRU to extend science, mission
  objects or support other human precursor
  subsystems. Ex.
• Hopper/Propulsion EDL Demo
• Surface Mobility/Fuel Cell Demo

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ISRU Activities (Cont.)

• Lunar Design Reference Mission Studies
• 3 Mission of interest examined
• LDRM 1 Single short stay (7 days) mission to
  equatorial region
• LDRM 2 Multiple short stay (7 days) missions
  with global access capability
• LDRM 3 Multiple mid to long stay (30 to 90
  days) missions to single lunar polar location
• Mission phasing thru L1 was always higher mass
  but had greatest mission flexibility
• Exploration Systems Research Technology
  (ESRT) Formally HRT
• ISRU Related Sections
• ASTP Power, Propulsion, Chemical Systems
• TMP Lunar Planetary Surface Operations
• Intramural Call for Proposals (ICP) Awards
  announced
• LPSO
• Regolith Environment Science and Oxygen Lunar
  Volatile Extraction (RESOLVE)
• High Mobility Lunar Rover
• Extramural Call for Proposals (ECP) Proposals
  under review
• Gap Solicitation expected in Winter FY05

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ESRT Strategic Challenges

• Strategic Challenges represent system-of-system
  level issues that must be resolved prior to final
  decisions on future exploration mission
  architectures
• Definition Systems-of-systems technologies are
  those that impact many systems and perhaps the
  overall mission or architectural concept
• ISRU-linked Strategic Challenges identified
  include
• Reusability using vehicles over multiple
  missions instead of throwing away crew
  transportation, service modules, propulsion
  stages, and/or excursion systems after only a
  single mission
• As Safe As Reasonably Achievable (ASARA)
  affordable and effective human operations in deep
  space and on lunar/planetary surfaces for
  sustained periods
• Robotic Networks - robots that can work
  cooperatively to prepare landing sites,
  habitation, and/or resources and to extend the
  reach of human explorers
• Affordable Logistics Pre-positioning sending
  spares, equipment, propellants and/or other
  consumables ahead of planned exploration missions
  to enable more flexible and efficient mission
  architectures
• Energy-Rich Systems and Missions including both
  cost-effective generation of substantial power,
  as well as the storage management and transfer of
  energy and fuels to enable the wide range of
  other systems-of-systems challenges
• Space Resource Utilization manufacturing
  propellants, other consumables and/or spare parts
  at the destination, rather then transporting all
  of these from Earth
• Access to Surface Targets - including both
  access from orbit and access from other locations
  on a planetary surface through use of advanced
  mobility systems (hoppers, aerial vehicles, fuel
  cell powered rovers, etc.)

10
Capability Roadmaps
Based on the Aldridge Committee Report, NASA is
establishing Strategic Capability Roadmap teams
to create recommendations plans for FY06
beyond
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In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)Capability
Breakdown Structure
In-Situ Resource Utilization
Chair Jerry Sanders/JSC Co-Chair Mike Duke
(CSM)
1.0
Resource Extraction
Resource Waste Transportation
Resource Processing
Surface Manufacturing with In-Situ Resources
Surface Construction
Surface ISRU Product Consumable Storage and
Distribution
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
Chair Kris Romig/JSC
Chair Peter Curreri/MSFC
Chair Don Rapp/JPL
Chair Lou Salerno/ARC
Chair Kurt Sacksteider/GRC
Chair Bill Larson/KSC
Resource Assessment
Fixed Mechanical Transportation
Mission Consumable Production
Metallic Part Manufacturing
Surface Preparation
Surface Cryogenic Fluid Propellant Storage
Distribution
1.1.1
1.2.1
1.3.1
1.4.1
1.5.1
1.6.1
Resource Acquisition
Mobile Mechanical Transportation
Feedstock Production for In-Situ Manufacturing
Polymer/Plastic Part Manufacturing
Excavation Tunneling
Processing Reagent Storage Distribution
1.1.2
1.2.2
1.3.2
1.4.2
1.5.2
1.6.2
Resource Separation/ Concentration
Feedstock Production for Surface Construction
Ceramic Part Manufacturing
Structure/Habitat Fabrication
Gas Storage Distribution
1.1.3
1.3.3
1.4.3
1.5.3
1.6.3
Feedstock Production for In-Situ Bio Support
Systems
Locally Manufactured Energy Systems
Radiation Plume Debris Shielding
Utility Connections Interfaces
1.3.3
1.4.4
1.5.4
1.6.4
Locally Integrated Systems Components
Landing Launch Site
Water storage Distribution
1.4.5
1.5.5
1.6.5
Hazard Detection Suppression
Manufacturing Support Systems
1.6.6
1.4.6
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Capability Roadmap Team Schedule (October 27,
2004)
13
Preliminary Milestones/Schedule

• 11/4/04 1st Workshop with external community
  after Space Resource Roundtable (11/1 to 11/3),
  Golden, CO.
• 11/5/04 ISRU Capability Team meeting at Colorado
  School of Mines
• 11/30/04 Tentative date for Public Engagement
  Conference
• 12/10/04 Interim Draft of ISRU Roadmap
• 1/TBD/05 Resource Simulant Workshop, MSFC, AL
• 2/1/05 2nd Workshop with external community after
  Space Exploration Conference (1/30 to 4/1),
  Orlando, FL
• 2/2/05 ISRU Capability Team meeting at KSC
• 2/9/05 Peer-Review Draft of ISRU Roadmap
• 2/16/05 ISRU Roadmap for Academy review

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Workshop Charts
15
ISRU Challenges Technology Drivers

• In-Situ Resource Excavation Separation
  Efficient excavation of resources in extremely
  cold (ex. Lunar permanent shadows),
  dusty/abrasive, and/or micro-g environments
  (Asteroids, comets, Mars moons, etc.)
• Efficient, wear tolerant (dust insensitive) small
  grain regolith excavation and collection
• Efficient hard resource excavation and
  collection
• Efficient thermal (solar, electrical, or
  microwave) furnace for volatile extraction from
  resources
• Flexible and efficient techniques for mining,
  tunneling, drilling, and other material
  manipulation in unknown materials and harsh
  environments
• In-Situ Resource Processing Refining
  Affordable, reliable and effective local
  production, using local materials of key
  mission/systems resources (including life support
  system consumables, propellants, etc.).
  Processing and manufacturing techniques capable
  of producing 100 times their own mass of product
  in their useful lifetimes.
• Microchannel and etched chemical/thermal
  processors for significant mass, volume, power
  reduction
• Efficient system-wide thermal management to
  minimize power requirements
• Chemically efficient processing to minimize or
  eliminate need for Earth consumables
• Manufacturing With In-Situ Resources an/or
  In-Situ Products Affordable and flexible local
  manufacture of robust, high-value components,
  systems elements, and systems (e.g., structural
  elements, tankage, solar arrays, spare parts for
  systems, etc.) in lunar and planetary venues
  using imported and local materials. In-situ
  manufacture of parts and equipment with the
  minimum of required equipment and crew training

16
ISRU Challenges Technology Drivers (Cont.)

• Surface Construction Affordable and flexible
  construction of robust local structures (e.g.,
  radiation shielding, site preparation, habitats,
  transportation infrastructures, etc.) in lunar
  and planetary venues using local (or imported)
  materials. Construction and erection techniques
  capable of producing complex structures from a
  variety of available materials.
• Conversion of Earth construction techniques to
  space environment
• Little or no atmosphere (spraying and curing
  difficulties)
• Extreme temperature variations
• Variable g-levels
• Suited astronauts
• Surface ISRU Consumables/Product Storage and
  Distribution Affordable, reliable and effective
  local management, handling, transport and storage
  of key consumables and products.
• Power efficient and long-life refrigerators and
  cryocoolers for separation, liquefaction, and
  storage
• Mass, power, and efficient insulation and storage
  tanks
• Fluid transfer systems and couplings with dust
  mitigation
• Efficient and capable surface transportation
  systems

17
ISRU Commonality-Dependency With Other
Capabilities
Capability Products To ISRU
ISRU Products To Other Capabilities

• H2 3He for NTR fusion Ar for electric
• Solar array and collector manufacturing
  assembly
• Rectenna fabrication for orbital power beaming
• Thermal storage material production fabrication
• Radiation shields for nuclear reactors

• Solar nuclear power to support power-intensive
  ISRU activities

High-Energy Power Propulsion

• Propellant production and pressurant/purge gases
  for lander reuse and in-space depots
• Aeroshells from Regolith

• ISRU-compatible propulsion
• Delivery of ISRU capabilities to sites of
  exploration
• Electromagnetic launch systems for delivery of
  ISRU products

In-Space Transportation

• Shaping crater for collector
• In-situ construction and fabrication

Advanced Telescopes Observatories

• Production of fuel cell reagents for rovers (vs
  solar arrays or RTGs for certain missions)
• Propellant production for surface hoppers or
  large sample return missions

• Resource location characterization information
• Surface mobility system design experience

Robotic Access to Planetary Surfaces

• Landing pads/plume debris shielding
• Propellant production/storage/transfer for lander
  reuse

• ISRU-compatible propulsion
• Delivery of ISRU capabilities to sites of
  exploration

Human Planetary Landing Systems

• Habitat/shelter fabrication
• Gases for inflation buffer gases
• Life support consumable production for backup
• Radiation shields from in-situ material
• Soil bio-feedstock for plant growth
• Materials for in-situ manufacturing

• Carbon-based waste products as resource for ISRU

Human Health and Support Systems

• Gases for science equipment
• Propellants fuel cell reactants for surface
  vehicles and aero-bots
• O2 production for EVA

• Crew/robotics/rovers to perform ISRU surface
  activities

Human Exploration Systems Mobility

• Robots/rovers to perform ISRU surface activities
• Software FDIR logic for autonomous operation

Autonomous Systems Robotics

• Resource location characterization information

Scientific Instruments Sensors
January, 15 2004
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Expected Benefits

• Mission mass reduction
• DDTE mission cost reduction
• Mission risk reduction
• Enables sustained surface operations and human
  exploration
• Enables space commercialization and other
  applications
• NASA-Science
• Military Missions
• Debris Management
• Satellite Servicing Refueling
• Space Solar Power

19
ISRU Applications Mission Capabilities

• Regolith excavation, pushing, transferring, and
  handling
• In-situ recovery of useful gases from surface
  resources
• H2, N2, C, 3He (solar wind volatiles)
• N2 Ar (Mars atmosphere)
• H2O
• Production of O2 from in-situ resources
• Production of propellants fuel cell reagents
  from in-situ resources
• Long-term consumable storage (surface cryogenic
  storage and management)
• System consumable resupply (transfer
  distribution)
• In situ fabrication and repair w in-situ
  resources
• Radiation shielding (regolith, H2O, ?)
• Micro-meteoroid and landing/ascent plume debris
  shielding
• Space Power w/ in-situ resources or in-situ
  manufactured products
• Thermal energy (phase change, thermal storage)
• Solar energy (PV, concentrators rectennas)
• Chemical energy (fuel cell, combustion, catalytic
  reactors, heat engine,,,,,)
• Habitat/construction (surface subsurface)
• site preparation to reduce rocket plumes (berm,
  rock removal, fused surface, etc.)
• Bio-support (soil, fertilizers, etc.) w/ in-situ
  resources or in-situ manufactured products