[Senate Hearing 115-900]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 115-900
DESTINATION MARS: PUTTING AMERICAN BOOTS
ON THE SURFACE OF THE RED PLANET
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE, SCIENCE,
AND COMPETITIVENESS
of the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
__________
JULY 25, 2018
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
60-769 PDF WASHINGTON : 2025
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota, Chairman
ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi BILL NELSON, Florida, Ranking
ROY BLUNT, Missouri MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
TED CRUZ, Texas AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut
JERRY MORAN, Kansas BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts
DEAN HELLER, Nevada TOM UDALL, New Mexico
JAMES INHOFE, Oklahoma GARY PETERS, Michigan
MIKE LEE, Utah TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia MAGGIE HASSAN, New Hampshire
CORY GARDNER, Colorado CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO, Nevada
TODD YOUNG, Indiana JON TESTER, Montana
Nick Rossi, Staff Director
Adrian Arnakis, Deputy Staff Director
Jason Van Beek, General Counsel
Kim Lipsky, Democratic Staff Director
Chris Day, Democratic Deputy Staff Director
Renae Black, Senior Counsel
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE, SCIENCE, AND COMPETITIVENESS
TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts,
JERRY MORAN, Kansas Ranking
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
MIKE LEE, Utah TOM UDALL, New Mexico
RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin GARY PETERS, Michigan
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
CORY GARDNER, Colorado MAGGIE HASSAN, New Hampshire
C O N T E N T S
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Page
Hearing held on July 25, 2018.................................... 1
Statement of Senator Cruz........................................ 1
Statement of Senator Markey...................................... 2
Statement of Senator Nelson...................................... 4
Statement of Senator Peters...................................... 28
Witnesses
Dr. Peggy Whitson, Former NASA Astronaut......................... 7
Prepared statement........................................... 8
Salvatore T. ``Tory'' Bruno, President and Chief Executive
Officer, United Launch Alliance, LLC........................... 10
Prepared statement........................................... 11
Chris Carberry, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Explore
Mars, Inc...................................................... 14
Prepared statement........................................... 16
Dr. Dava J. Newman, Apollo Program Professor of Astronautics--
Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Health, Sciences, and
Technology--Harvard-MIT HST; Former NASA Deputy Administrator.. 18
Prepared statement........................................... 20
Appendix
Response to written questions submitted to Dr. Peggy Whitson by:
Hon. Bill Nelson............................................. 35
Hon. Gary Peters............................................. 35
Response to written questions submitted to Salvatore T. ``Tory''
Bruno by:
Hon. Bill Nelson............................................. 37
Hon. Gary Peters............................................. 38
Response to written questions submitted to Chris Carberry by:
Hon. Gary Peters............................................. 39
Response to written questions submitted to Dr. Dava J. Newman by:
Hon. Bill Nelson............................................. 41
Hon. Gary Peters............................................. 42
DESTINATION MARS: PUTTING AMERICAN BOOTS
ON THE SURFACE OF THE RED PLANET
----------
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2018
U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 3:11 p.m. in
room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Ted Cruz,
Chairman of the Subcommittee, presiding.
Present: Senators Cruz [presiding], Markey, Nelson, and
Peters.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,
U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS
Senator Cruz. Good afternoon. Welcome to this hearing.
Thank you to each of the witnesses for being here.
On December 14, 1972, before returning home, Apollo
Astronaut Gene Cernan took the last steps on the lunar surface
and stated, ``As I take man's last step from the surface, back
home for some time to come, but we believe not too long into
the future, I'd like to just say what I believe history will
record, that America's challenge of today has forged man's
destiny of tomorrow and as we leave the Moon at Taurus Litra,
we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return with
peace and hope for all mankind.''
These words are just as true today as they were in 1972.
America's challenge during the Apollo era has forged man's
destiny. That destiny, I believe, is to put American boots on
the surface of Mars.
It has been more than four decades since Gene Cernan left
the lunar surface. NASA's once again looking to return to the
Moon in the 2020s and will use it in turn as a stepping stone
to reach Mars in the 2030s.
Even though we've been to the Moon before, our return will
not be easy as a generation of engineers and scientists at NASA
have since left the workforce. While the moon will provide a
great testing ground in preparation for the journey to Mars, we
must remain vigilant and ensure that we limit costly delays
that could push a crude Mars mission in the 2030s out of reach.
Let me be clear. Mars is today the focal point of our
National Space Program and if American boots are to be the
first to set foot on its surface, it will define a new
generation, Generation Mars.
In preparation of a crude mission to Mars, NASA has been
sending scientific robotic missions to the fourth planet in our
Solar System for the past four decades, yet we still have much
more to discover.
Last month, NASA's Curiosity Rover discovered organic
compounds which may be a sign that there was once life on Mars.
While the discovery of organic compounds leaves scientists with
more and more questions, it also leads us to believe that we
may be on the right track.
And just today, the Journal of Science published a report
on radar evidence of sub-glacial liquid water on Mars. Using
radar profiles collected from a satellite between May 2012 and
December 2015, scientists have found evidence of a 12-mile-wide
reservoir of briny water beneath the South Polar Layer
Deposits.
This and other exciting discoveries deserve to be built
upon, explored, and studied to their full potential. That's why
we're gathered here today. To build upon the framework that was
established in the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017
and to make progress in ensuring that our Nation's exploration
priorities are being met so that we can push humans further
than they've ever gone before.
Somewhere in a classroom today, in Texas or Florida or
Massachusetts, sits a child who may one day become the first
American to reach the surface of the Red Planet. It's our
responsibility to ensure that we have a national space program
that can help turn that dream into a reality.
With that, I'll recognize the Ranking Member of our
Subcommittee, Senator Markey.
STATEMENT OF HON. EDWARD MARKEY,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS
Senator Markey. Thank you. By the way, there was already a
schoolchild from Massachusetts, from Rindge Tech, Matt Damon.
He was already the first person to step foot on----
[Laughter.]
Senator Markey.--the Moon.
Senator Cruz. And one of these days, we'll bring him back.
Senator Markey. So we're very proud of our high school and
grammar school educational process.
So next year, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the
Apollo 11 Lunar Landing. For nearly 50 years, we have known
that our sky is not a ceiling. We have known that no mission is
beyond the power of American ingenuity, and we have transferred
our knowledge into transforming galactic astronomy into earthly
technology, building better rockets and even researching better
designs for faucets and for tires.
We have set our sights further beyond the Moon and on to
Mars. For nearly 50 years, NASA has stood for new adventures in
space abound and in the 1960s, NASA's first successful Mars
mission showed us the first up-close images of the cratered
Martian surface.
Only last month, the Curiosity Rover found ancient organic
molecules on the Martian surface and our next adventure will be
the launch of the Mars 2020 Rover, which will look for signs
that Mars was once habitable billions of years ago.
Just today, we learned that the Italian Space Agency found
a lake of liquid water beneath the Southern Polar Ice Cap of
Mars. As Ray Bradbury writes in the Martian Chronicles, ``It is
good to renew one's wonder,'' said the philosopher. ``Space
travel has again made children of us all.''
All of these missions have not only inspired wonder and
raised questions, they have also prepared us for mankind's next
great achievement in space, putting humans on the surface of
Mars.
As a nation, we've dreamed of putting humans on Mars since
the year we put boots on the moon. NASA has made great strides.
The Space Launch System rocket and Orion Spacecraft are in
development as we speak. Critical scientific experiments are
being carried out on the International Space Station in low-
Earth orbit, including technology demonstrations from one of
our witnesses, Dr. Dava Newman of the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, who will testify here later.
However, NASA faces many setbacks, some self-inflicted.
NASA was supposed to deliver a human exploration roadmap by
December 2017, but still has not provided it to Congress.
Without this step-by-step plan, we will be flying blind as
to what comes next in our quest to have humans reach the Red
Planet.
This Administration also has not made its own priorities
clear when it comes to human spaceflight. In December of last
year, President Trump stated, ``Beginning with missions beyond
low-Earth orbit, the United States will lead the return of
humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization
followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations.''
This sounds less like a plan to go boldly where no human
has gone before but, rather, a plan to return to where we have
already been.
We need to help NASA lift its gaze past the Moon and
understand how the work we do in space closer to Earth will
serve us in our quest for Mars.
NASA and Congress will have to make tough decisions when it
comes to funding. We have heard testimony in the Subcommittee
that the International Space Station is a vital platform on
which astronauts perform essential scientific studies, but we
have to make the math add up.
How can we fund the Space Station while also funding a
human spaceflight program that gets us to the Martian surface?
How can we balance the push for new discoveries on Mars with
the continued importance of performing science in the low-Earth
and other orbits?
These are the questions we have to ask ourselves as we move
forward on a NASA authorization bill that lays out a trajectory
for this agency.
I know that my colleagues and I look forward to that day
when we bid farewell and God speed to our best and brightest
explorers and scientists as they journey to the Red Planet of
our Solar System, going where none have gone before.
It has been nearly half a century since that greatest of
all human achievements, Apollo 11. We must ensure that the
extraordinary space race is not merely a sprint but an
interplanetary marathon.
We thank all the witnesses today and I thank you, Mr.
Chairman, for this very important hearing.
Senator Cruz. Thank you, Senator Markey.
I would now recognize the Ranking Member of the Full
Committee, Senator Nelson.
STATEMENT OF HON. BILL NELSON,
U.S. SENATOR FROM FLORIDA
Senator Nelson. I want to say that you boys are getting
pretty good with your visionary rhetoric. I could close my
eyes, Senator Markey, listening to that lilting Bostonian
accent and I could think back to the time when it was a
Bostonian that set us off on this journey and a Bostonian that
allowed that journey because he had the vision to say we're
going to the moon and back safely within the decade that
allowed Dr. Buzz Aldrin, who is with us in the front row, along
with Neil Armstrong, to set foot on that body 250,000 miles
away. So, thank you for your soaring rhetoric.
To bring it right back down here, the excitement is
palpable. We are about ready to start having Americans crawl
into American spacecraft and lift off from the Cape and when
that happens, what we're going to see is this nation suddenly
gripped and captivated because we are back in space flight,
even though we've been there and six humans are up there in the
Space Station right now.
By the way, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for joining me and
others as we are going to keep the Space Station alive instead
of this nonsense that they're going to shut it down in a few
years and lose that $100 billion investment.
We've got to keep it operating safely and productively. We
need to get our new crewed vehicles across the finish line, get
them launched, first test flight hopefully by the end of this
year, and then the first human flights early next year.
We need to finish building SLS, Orion, and the
infrastructure on the Cape to launch all of the exciting new
activities, and we need to keep up NASA's world-leading work on
science and aeronautics, the first A in NASA.
And we need to prioritize the kinds of technology
investments that will make a mission to Mars safer, more
productive, and more affordable. Also, your constituent, Matt
Damon, who, by the way, in the book and the movie, was
propelled there by a technology that was developed by an MIT
graduate, one of two astronauts that have flown the most, Dr.
Franklin Chang-Diaz, who is still working on that plasma
rocket.
This year's budget request from NASA proposed some new
programs, including efforts to develop a range of small,
medium, and larger lunar landers, and ultimately leading toward
a human lunar lander. The request also included development of
a human-attended Gateway to Orbit.
Now the good thing about a Gateway is lunar orbit would
become what earth orbit used to be in the assembling of
spacecraft and the launch point from which commercial ventures
could go to the surface of the Moon. We've got to watch our
expenditures for NASA about going down to the Moon because we
don't want to rob NASA's budget dedicated to the goal of
getting to Mars with humans.
The Gateway was previously portrayed by NASA leadership as
a test vehicle for deep space transport to take us to Mars but
notably absent from this request is any mention of the Mars
transport vehicle. We better watch that if we want to stay on
the course for Mars.
And so, as we review these proposals, we need to think
about two important points. Do these missions help us achieve
our goal of getting humans to Mars, and, second, show me the
money.
The Augustine Commission found NASA needed an increase of a
few billion dollars a year and increases that will at least
keep pace with inflation to do any sort of meaningful
exploration program, and a couple of years later, the National
Academies found that if we only get increases in NASA's budget
equivalent to inflation, forget the scenario of going to Mars
in the decade of the 2030s. It would take us until 2050. I
don't think we want to wait that long because international and
private partnerships, if employed smartly, could certainly help
us improve the affordability of our exploration program.
And in recent years, Congress has given NASA some pretty
healthy budget increases. I know we're going to continue to
push for those increases, but we need a plan that keeps
everyone, industry, Congress, our international partners, the
men and women of NASA, all pulling in the same direction.
Our 2017 NASA Authorization Bill, Senator Cruz, required
NASA to define and deliver to Congress a step-by-step plan for
reaching Mars. We don't have this roadmap yet. It's 7 months
overdue.
But, anyway, NASA is moving on major acquisitions, like the
development of a large lunar lander. What gives? Let's see the
program for going to Mars and how all of this other stuff fits
in.
We need to make sure we're making smart choices. We don't
have the luxury of having near five percent of the Federal
budget going to NASA as it was in the time of Astronauts
Armstrong and Aldrin. We need to make sure that we understand
what NASA needs to do and what is being asked of them.
So thank you, Mr. Chairman, for calling this hearing.
Senator Cruz. Thank you, Senator Nelson.
Let me thank Senator Nelson and Senator Markey, both, for
your strong leadership in ensuring and continuing the
bipartisan support for NASA and our space exploration mission.
I guess I have to apologize to the witnesses that
apparently you've been overshadowed by a mystery witness, Matt
Damon, and, you know, I would note that in his journey to Mars,
Mr. Damon demonstrated the ability to grow potatoes in human
excrement and I would note likewise there is no greater
repository of expertise in that biofuel than the U.S. Congress.
[Laughter.]
Senator Cruz. So with that,----
Senator Markey. May I just say that we are the most Irish
city in the United States and we're very good at growing
potatoes, something that we learned in the New World, and to
Senator Nelson, I did not use the full accent in talking about
the future and leaving behind the past. I decided to use the
Mauldin version of that accent, but nonetheless the vision of
President Kennedy still lives.
Senator Cruz. With that, I am happy to introduce our
distinguished witnesses today.
Our first witness is Dr. Peggy Whitson, who is a retired
NASA astronaut and a biochemist. A native of Iowa, Dr. Whitson
has had a career at NASA which includes becoming the first
woman to serve as their Astronaut Core Chief and the first
female Commander of the International Space Station.
Dr. Whitson has completed three long-duration missions to
the ISS, which include 10 space walks and setting the record
for the most time in space by a U.S. astronaut at 665 days.
Prior to being selected to serve as an astronaut, Dr.
Whitson received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Rice
University, my mother's alma mater, and worked as a research
biochemist in the Biomedical Operations and Research Branch at
NASA's Johnson Space Center.
Our second witness is Mr. Tory Bruno, who is the President
and Chief Executive for United Launch Alliance, which utilizes
the Atlas and Delta Rocket Families, and has achieved more than
120 consecutive launches since 2006.
In his role as CEO, Mr. Bruno serves as the principal
strategic leader of the organization and oversees all business,
management, and operations while managing a nationwide team of
nearly 2,500 employees.
Prior to joining ULA, Mr. Bruno served as the Vice
President and General Manager of Lockheed-Martin's Strategic
and Missile Defense Systems.
Mr. Bruno holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical
Engineering from the California Polytechnic State University.
Our next witness is Mr. Chris Carberry, who is the CEO and
Co-Founder of Explore Mars, Inc., a nonprofit created to
advance the goal of sending humans to Mars within the next two
decades.
Prior to joining Explore Mars, Mr. Carberry served as the
Executive Director to the Mars Society. In recent years, Mr.
Carberry has led the successful International Conferences,
including the ISS and Mars Conference in Washington, D.C., and
Strasburg, France.
Prior to his space career, Mr. Carberry worked as an
Archivist of Modern Political Papers and was a research
assistant for numerous best-selling biographers.
And, finally, Dr. Dava Newman, currently serves as the
Apollo Program Professor for Aeronautics and Astronautics at
the Harvard-MIT Division of Health, Sciences, and Technology.
Dr. Newman's research includes advanced spacesuit design,
dynamics, and control of astronaut motion, mission analysis,
and engineer systems design and policy analysis.
From May 2015 to January 2017, Dr. Newman served as the
Deputy Administrator of NASA. In the role as Deputy
Administrator, Dr. Newman was responsible for providing overall
leadership, planning, and policy direction for NASA.
Dr. Newman received her Ph.D. from MIT in Aerospace
Biomedical Engineering.
And with that, Dr. Whitson, you may begin.
STATEMENT OF DR. PEGGY WHITSON,
FORMER NASA ASTRONAUT
Dr. Whitson. Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I'm
really pleased to be here today to chat with you about
America's plans for deep space exploration, including missions
to Mars.
Within my 30 years of experience at NASA, I have watched
our exploration goals evolve, becoming a global effort now, and
advancing humanity's presence and continued exploration of
space.
The future exploration plan is complex and necessarily
integrated across commercial and international lines, as was
recommended by some of the Committee members, and I also agree
that that is as it should be.
While the idea of expanding our horizons is a simple one,
the actual design solutions, the implementation of a plan,
adapting when problems invariably strike, and pressing forward,
in spite of obstacles is the embodiment of exploration.
Sustainability is going to be key to our success in our
future exploration, so learning from each successive
advancement will give us an enduring platform for growth, and
although space is the goal, the benefits of the end results
will be here much closer to home, spurring additional
commercial activity in low-Earth orbit and expanding our
knowledge and opportunities here on Earth as we search for and
find those necessary and innovative solutions that we're going
to need for those next exploration steps.
For example, our technologies that we've developed onboard
the International Space Station on water purification and
recycling, they're a critical component for our continued
exploration to the Moon and Mars, but they also have huge
potential here on Earth in areas where clean water is limited
and now maybe in a lake, it might be handy there, too.
United States-led exploration of humans to the Moon via the
Lunar Orbiting Platform Gateway will allow for sustainable
exploration and scientific utilization as well as the practical
testing of new partial gravity technologies and operations
methods, solar electric propulsion techniques that are all
critical components for our subsequent missions to Mars.
Mr. Chairman, in my 665 days in space, I've personally
experienced overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles, learning
resourcefulness imposed by the unique and harsh environment of
space, and I've seen some of the best of what human beings have
to offer, and been lucky enough to be a part of a world
community that has striven to each new level of competence,
including the advancement of commercial capabilities.
So I recommend we take the lessons that we've learned on
the International Space Station, understanding that it is a
microcosm of what we need to happen on a much larger scale for
our future exploration activities.
I believe that developing a flexible deep space
infrastructure to support a steady cadence of increasingly
complex missions will strengthen American leadership in our
quest to go where no person has gone before.
By leveraging commercial and international collaborations,
we will ensure that the best minds in the world are working
toward our exploration objectives and with NASA's leadership, a
logical approach to expand our reach and sustainability of
human space exploration will continue, building on the station
and increasing with our capabilities in our new Heavy Lift SLS
and Crew Orion Capsule and the Exploration Ground Systems.
These strategies hold the highest likelihood of success and
promise to extend technical and scientific benefits to all of
humankind.
On a personal note, thinking back to on my rural Iowa farm
beginnings and seemingly impossible dreams, I want our
exploration to fire the imaginations of all people. There
really are no boundaries.
So I'd be pleased to respond to any questions from you, Mr.
Chairman, and the Committee.
[The prepared statement of Dr. Whitson follows:]
Prepared Statement of Dr. Peggy Whitson, Former NASA Astronaut
Introduction
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I am pleased to have
this opportunity to discuss America's plans for deep space exploration,
including sending human missions to Mars. Within my 30 years of
experience at NASA, I have watched our exploration goals evolve,
becoming now a global effort to advance humanity's presence and
continued exploration of space. The future exploration plan is complex
and necessarily integrated across commercial and international lines.
As it should be. While the idea of expanding our horizons is simple,
the actual design solutions and the implementation of a plan, adapting
when problems invariably strike, and pressing forward in spite of
obstacles is the embodiment of exploration.
Sustainability will be a key in the success of our future
exploration as we expand our presence across the solar system. Learning
and building from each successive advancement will give us an enduring
platform for growth. And though space is the goal, the benefits of the
end results will be closer to home, spurring additional commercial
activity in low-Earth orbit [LEO] and expanding our knowledge and
opportunities here on Earth as we search for and find those necessary
innovative solutions. For example, our technologies developed for water
purification and recycling on the International Space Station [ISS], a
critical component for continued exploration to the Moon and Mars, also
have applications on Earth in areas where clean water is limited. A
United States led expansion of humans to the Moon via the Gateway will
allow for sustainable exploration and scientific utilization, as well
as the practical testing of new partial gravity technologies and
operations methods that are critical for the subsequent missions to
Mars.
NASA's Exploration Campaign addresses the necessity of developing a
sustainable approach, pursuing a new lunar exploration program by
employing expertise and resources across the Agency and commercial and
international partners in support of: a science and technology
initiative; a small commercial lander initiative; a development
activity for commercial mid-to-large landers to address both science
and human exploration objectives; and Gateway. The effort is built to
enable early successes, with seamless collaborations.
International Space Station
With three trips to the ISS over the last 16 years, I can
personally vouch for its value in the evolution of our space
exploration. International and commercial relationships have been built
and forged and continue to expand in ever-changing roles. These
partnerships will be critical to future successes in space, as we
approach even more difficult problems, further from our home world.
Also, on ISS we have incorporated the hard-earned lessons of building,
repairing and living in the most complex engineering achievement ever
constructed in the vacuum of space. All of these lessons will apply
during the establishment of our presence in deep space and on the lunar
and Mars surfaces. The ISS also serves as an invaluable platform for
testing, redesigning and re-testing technologies that will make our
next steps away from the planet sustainable.
For the human part of the equation, we have conducted literally
hundreds of experiments during our 18-year presence on board the ISS,
specifically expanding our knowledge about the effects of living in
space and developing new protocols and mitigations to reduce our risks
of being there. Studies ranging from bone loss and exercise mitigations
to spaceflight neuro-ocular system changes, nutrition requirements,
host-microorganism interactions, and immune response have been
completed or are on-going now. Knowledge gained is being incorporated
into future vehicle designs and operations protocols that will enable
our continued human presence beyond Earth.
As a scientist myself, I am truly excited about the whole range of
research that we are able to conduct on board station, including
research in engineering and physical sciences, biology, the Earth, and
the universe. Soybeans to superconductor crystals, cardiac stem cells
and antibody-conjugated cancer drug therapies, and fuel combustion
experiments is just a tiny list of some of the space research in which
I personally participated. Under the auspices of the ISS National
Laboratory, managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science In
Space (CASIS), NASA and CASIS continue to expand research on the ISS
sponsored by pharmaceutical, technology, consumer product, and other
industries, as well as by other Government agencies, such as the
National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. I
anticipate that this research will grow into a commercial industry as
more and more studies demonstrate the value of the ISS as a National
Laboratory.
Systems for Exploration
New deep space systems, including the heavy-lift Space Launch
System (SLS), Orion crew vehicle, the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS)
that support them, commercial launch vehicles, lunar landers, and new
deep space habitation capabilities, are being developed by NASA through
public-private and international partnerships. Missions planned on SLS
in the 2020s will establish the capability to operate safely and
productively in deep space.
A key component of the sustainability and flexibility of the plan
will include the presence of a Gateway. In addition to a U.S. strategic
presence in lunar space, the Gateway will be a place to live, learn and
work around the Moon and will provide opportunities to support missions
to the surface. Leveraging the knowledge gained in exploring the Moon
and utilizing its situ resources will then directly apply toward human
missions to Mars. Testing and refining in-space power and propulsion
and deep space habitation will also be critical objectives to test and
refine for the success of a human presence on Mars.
An Integrated Effort
NASA's Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy
and Heat Transport (InSight) lander launched in May, 2018 and will land
on Mars in November--joining a series of NASA rovers, landers, and
orbiters already at the Red Planet. InSight's advanced payload will
provide unique information on the interior structure of Mars, providing
glimpses into the processes that shaped the rocky planets of the inner
solar system. The future Mars 2020 rover and planning for a potential
Mars Sample Return mission, incorporating commercial and international
partnerships, will also provide essential data for human presence in
the future.
Lunar Activities and Beyond
As part of the NASA's overall strategy to conduct deep space
exploration, the Agency is supporting the development of commercial
lunar exploration. A new cross-Agency campaign will combine science and
exploration objectives in Advanced Cislunar and Surface Capabilities.
One specific example of this approach is the Lunar Cargo Transportation
and Landing by Soft Touchdown (CATALYST) initiative, which encourages
the development of U.S. private-sector robotic lunar landers capable of
successfully delivering payloads to the lunar surface using U.S.
commercial launch capabilities. As part of the Exploration Campaign,
NASA will initiate a series of robotic lunar missions in partnership
with industry as early as 2019, eventually leading to a continual human
presence on and around the Moon.
NASA also is at work on the second phase of the Next Space
Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP), an effort to
stimulate deep-space capability development across the aerospace
industry. Through these initial public-private partnerships, NextSTEP
will provide advanced concept studies, technology development projects,
and significant measurements in key areas, including habitat concepts,
environmental control and life support systems, advanced in-space
propulsion, and small spacecraft to conduct missions related to
strategic knowledge gaps. NASA is already integrating ground testing of
habitation capabilities developed by the NextSTEP partners.
Conclusion
In my 665 days in space, I have personally experienced overcoming
seemingly impossible obstacles, learning resourcefulness imposed by the
unique and harsh environment of space. I have seen some of the best of
what human beings have to offer. And been lucky enough to have
participated as a member of our world community in striving for each
new level of competence, including the advancement of commercial
capabilities. I recommend that we take these lessons from Space
Station, understanding that it is a microcosm of what will need to
happen on much larger scale in our future exploration.
I believe that developing a flexible deep space infrastructure to
support a steady cadence of increasingly complex missions will
strengthen American leadership in a quest to go where no person has
gone before. By leveraging commercial partnerships and international
collaborations, we will ensure that the best minds in the universe are
working toward our exploration objectives. With NASA's leadership, a
logical approach to expand the distance and sustainability of human
space exploration will continue, building on the on the ISS, and
increasing capabilities with SLS, Orion, and EGS programs. These
strategies hold the highest likelihood of success and promise to extend
technical and scientific benefits to all of humankind.
Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to respond to your questions and
those of other Members of the Committee.
Senator Cruz. Thank you, Dr. Whitson.
Mr. Bruno.
STATEMENT OF SALVATORE T. ``TORY'' BRUNO,
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE, LLC
Mr. Bruno. Thank you. Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Markey,
Ranking Member Nelson, and members of the Subcommittee, thank
you for the opportunity to appear today on a subject of
profound importance to our Nation and the world, Putting
American Boots on Mars.
I am privileged to represent the talented team at ULA who
have joined NASA in exploring missions that lay the foundation
for future landings by Americans on the Red Planet.
ULA is proud to be playing its part in extending the
presence of humanity to Mars. Since the company's formation in
2006, ULA has successfully launched every United States mission
to the Red Planet. Our rockets have gone to Mars 18 times.
ULA's Atlas V and Delta rockets have an unmatched record of
a hundred percent launch success. Our rockets have launched
missions to every planet in our Solar System and beyond.
In May, we launched the Mars Insight Lander, the first
mission to Mars from California. In a few weeks, ULA will
launch the Parker Solar Probe, the mission that will study the
sun and unlock new understanding of our nearest star and its
impact on our planet and the environment between here and Mars.
Clearly, Mars exploration is a vast undertaking, requiring
a space industrial base of enormous breadth and depth, and ULA
is critical to stabilizing that workforce.
Our company is comprised of employees at facilities in
Denver, Pueblo, Decatur, Harlingen, Cape Canaveral, and
Vandenberg. ULA also partners with more than 2,700 suppliers
from across the country. By working with large and small
suppliers, ULA plays a critical role in ensuring a stable space
industrial base.
ULA recently entered into a long-term strategic partnership
with AeroGen Rocketdine, selecting the flight-proven RL10
engine to power our Vulcan Centaur Upper Stage.
We have also entered into strategic partnerships with
several other companies, such as L3 for avionics, and SpinCraft
for fuel tank domes. All of these companies and many others
supply critical components to NASA's Space Launch System, which
will be the world's most powerful rocket, providing super-heavy
lift for the Orion Capsule in human missions to Mars and other
deep space destinations.
With ULA's core customer, these supplier companies are able
to provide components to NASA and their SLS and Orion partners
more affordably and demonstrate reliability in their systems
with dozens of flights aboard Atlas, Delta, and soon Vulcan
Centaur.
The nation's launch industrial base is critical to
America's status as the premier spacefaring nation as well as
to our national security and economic well-being.
With domestic and foreign competition on the rise and a
launch forecast that may be flat or even declining, it is
crucial Congress take steps in any space legislation to
stabilize our competitive industrial base and prevent U.S.
taxpayer-funded payloads from being sent overseas to be
launched on foreign vehicles from foreign launch pads.
NASA must lead humanity's return to the Moon and travel to
Mars and the SLS and Orion are going to get us there. We
appreciate the strength and enduring nature of congressional
support for these programs.
I would also like to applaud the current Administration's
emphasis on returning astronauts to the Moon. Together,
Congress, the Administration, and industry can chart a path
forward that uses the lunar vicinity as a testbed and jumping-
off point to Mars. That is where ULA will play a key role,
providing cargo and scientific transportation services for
commercial activities in lunar space to complement the core
human spaceflight and large payloads provided by SLS and Orion.
At ULA, we have already taken the first steps in achieving
this goal. ULA's Lunar 1000 Roadmap envisions self-sustaining
community of a thousand people supported by some 200 companies
in the space between Earth and the Moon. Developing the
valuable resources that are abundant on near-earth asteroids
and the lunar surface will provide a foundation for this new
econosphere.
The ingenuity of America's private sector, together with
NASA, will be required to extend human presence beyond Earth.
Thank you again for inviting me to be here before you
today. I look forward to your questions.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Bruno follows:]
Prepared Statement of Salvatore T. ``Tory'' Bruno, President and Chief
Executive Officer, United Launch Alliance, LLC
Chairman Cruz, Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Markey, Ranking
Member Nelson, and Members of the Subcommittee--thank you for the
opportunity to appear today on a subject of profound importance to our
Nation and the world--putting American boots on Mars. I am privileged
to represent the talented team of ULA women and men who have joined
NASA in exploring missions that lay the foundation for future landings
by Americans on the Red Planet.
The grand vision for human exploration of Mars comes naturally to
our great nation, with its inspirational history of pioneering. The
capability to bring that vision to fruition lies in the scientific and
technical prowess and industrial might of America.
ULA is proud to be playing its part in extending the presence of
humanity to Mars. Since the company's formation in 2006, ULA has
successfully launched every United States mission to the Red Planet.
ULA's Atlas V and Delta rockets, with an unmatched record of 100
percent launch success in 128 national security, civil and commercial
space missions, have launched missions to each of the planets in our
solar system. All these missions have provided inestimable scientific
value to the world. In just a few weeks, ULA will launch the Parker
Solar Probe, a mission which will study the Sun and unlock new
understanding of our nearest star and its impact to our planet and
space environment. Our next generation Vulcan Centaur rocket, currently
in development, will continue to provide reliable access to Mars for
scientific missions while lowering launch costs.
I will briefly review our past and planned Mars exploration
launches. On November 26, 2011, we launched the Mars Science
Laboratory, the rover, ``Curiosity,'' on an Atlas V 541--a mission that
analyzed Martian soil searching for water. On November 18, 2013, we
launched the Mars Atmospheric and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN)
spacecraft, and this year on May 5, we launched the Mars Interior
Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport
(InSight) lander. Both of these missions launched on Atlas V 401 launch
vehicles, and InSight marked the first time a mission to Mars launched
from the west coast. Today, we are preparing for our launch of Mars
2020--the most ambitious of all the missions to the Red Planet. Among
this mission's objectives are gathering knowledge and demonstrating
technologies that address the challenges of human expeditions to Mars.
Our Atlas, Delta, and heritage rockets have successfully launched 18
missions to Mars. We have the talented workforce with proven knowledge
and ability to successfully accomplish missions to Mars and beyond.
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Clearly, Mars exploration is a vast undertaking that requires a
space industrial base of enormous breadth and depth, and ULA is
critical to stabilizing that workforce. Our company is comprised of
employees at facilities in Denver, Pueblo, Decatur, and Harlingen where
we conduct sophisticated launch vehicle engineering, testing,
manufacturing, assembly, and integration operations--and at Cape
Canaveral and Vandenberg, where we perform complex launch operations.
ULA also partners with more than 2,700 suppliers across the
country, in nearly every state. By working with large and small
suppliers across the country, ULA plays a critical role to ensuring a
stable space industrial base. ULA recently entered into a long-term
strategic partnership with Aerojet Rocketdyne, selecting the flight
proven RL-10 engine to power our Vulcan Centaur upper stage. We have
also entered into strategic partnerships with several other companies
throughout the country such as L3 for avionics and Spincraft for
spinformed fuel tank domes.
All of these companies--and many others--supply similar critical
components to NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), which will be the
world's most powerful rocket providing super heavy lift for the Orion
capsule in human missions to Mars and other deep space destinations.
With ULA as a core customer, these supplier companies are able to
supply these components to NASA and their SLS and Orion industry
partners more affordably, and are able to demonstrate reliability in
their systems with dozens of flights aboard Atlas, Delta, and soon
Vulcan Centaur.
ULA has also supported NASA's flagship exploration programs by
supplying the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) for EM-1 and
two additional flights. To that end, I commend Congress for funding the
development of a second mobile launch platform. Allowing SLS
flexibility is crucial to the Nation's success in exploring the cosmos.
Additionally, ULA launched the test flight of the Orion crew capsule
aboard our Delta IV Heavy (EFT-1), which provided essential data to
prepare Orion crew for deep space missions.
NASA must lead humanity to return to the Moon and travel to Mars,
and SLS and Orion are going to get us there. We appreciate the strength
and enduring nature of Congressional support for those programs. I
would also like to applaud the current Administration's emphasis on
returning astronauts to the Moon. Together, Congress, the
Administration, and industry can chart a path forward that uses the
lunar vicinity as a test bed and jumping off point for Mars. That is
where I believe ULA will play a key role: providing cargo and
scientific transportation services for commercial activities in
CisLunar space to complement the core human spaceflight and large
payloads provided by SLS and Orion, while also allowing NASA to focus
on pressing forward into deep space.
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
At ULA, we have already taken the first steps in achieving this
goal. ULA's CisLunar 1000 roadmap envisions a commercially established,
self-sustaining community of around 1,000 people supported by some 200
companies in the space between Earth and the Moon. Bigelow Aerospace, a
company that is preparing to a provide a space habitat for nearly 20
people to live and work in CisLunar space during the first phase of the
project, has already selected ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket to launch
their B330 space habitat. Additionally, Astrobotic, a commercial lunar
logistics company in Pittsburgh, has chosen to fly their Peregrine
lander on ULA's flight proven Atlas V. This will mark the first launch
of a commercial lunar lander to the lunar surface from the United
States. America's leaders understand the indispensable scientific and
exploratory roles played by human activities in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
and CisLunar space. Our leaders also understand the vast economic
opportunities we can achieve there. Developing the valuable resources
that are abundant on near earth asteroids and the lunar surface will
provide a financial foundation for the new ``Econosphere.''
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Acts of Congress and presidential directives reflect the high
priority that the United States Government has long placed on human
space exploration. With this continuing commitment, Americans will
surely land on Mars as they landed on the Moon.
The ingenuity, capabilities, and resources of America's private
sector, as well as those of NASA, will be required to achieve the goal
of extending human presence from LEO, to CisLunar space, to Mars and
beyond. I am confident that, together, Americans are more than equal to
the task.
Thank you again for inviting me to be here before you today. I look
forward to your questions.
Senator Cruz. Thank you, Mr. Bruno.
Mr. Carberry.
STATEMENT OF CHRIS CARBERRY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CO-
FOUNDER, EXPLORE MARS, INC.
Mr. Carberry. Thank you, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member
Nelson, and the Subcommittee, for the opportunity to testify at
today's hearing.
I am honored to be here to discuss how the United States
should lead humanity's efforts to land humans on Mars.
Next July, we're going to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of
the Apollo Moon Landings. Today, we are in an exciting
watershed moment, well positioned to continue where the Apollo
Program left off, and poised to land Americans on the surface
of Mars in the 2030s.
To further this goal, teams of scientists and engineers
have participated in a series of workshops to develop scenarios
for achievable Mars missions. These workshops, known as the
Achieving Mars Workshops, are organized by Explore Mars in
partnership with the American Astronautical Society.
These Mars scenarios have four essential characteristics.
One, they're affordable. Two, they're achievable without
technological miracles. Three, they're sustainable in
coordination with our partners. Four, they achieve major and
longstanding scientific goals.
The most recent workshop was largely motivated by the
passage of the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017, which
states that NASA should take steps to ``leading to human
habitation on the surface of Mars.'' The Act goes on to say
that NASA should contract outside organizations to ``study the
feasibility of the launch of a human spaceflight mission to
Mars in 2033.''
If this deadline is to be achieved, we can't allow
ourselves to postpone critical decisions. Otherwise, we will
have little hope of seeing American boots on the ground in the
2030s.
Fortunately, numerous feasible concepts to land humans on
Mars were proposed by NASA, industry, and commercial players,
and other stakeholders, and our workshops revealed significant
commonalities among most of these scenarios.
We've outlined three architectures that span the range of
likely options for human missions to Mars. The first scenario
involves sortie-like missions with a two-week stay on the
Martian surface and is analogous to the Apollo Program.
The second concept is a semi-permanent base or field camp
with a year-and-a-half stay on the Martian surface and is
analogous to early Antarctic exploration.
The third concept is sustained permanent habitation
analogous to current Antarctic exploration, but with setting
the stage for potential settlements and the full report for
that workshop will be available in the next two weeks.
These workshops also found that any plan to send humans to
Mars should acknowledge that science precursor missions in the
2020s are essential to human exploration in the 2030s.
The Mars 2020 Rover is the last robotic mission the United
States currently has funded. This must not be the end of our
Mars Robotic Program. We need new reconnaissance capabilities
as well as deep space communications and if we plan to do a
sample return mission, let's consider a heavy sample return
mission that not only can bring back a significant number or
amount of Mars samples, but can also be an intermediate test
for entry, descent, and landing capabilities and other key
technologies.
Also, precursors to the Moon should be designed and
executed in a manner that will have a clear path to Mars and
stimulate commercial and international participation, and as
plans for the Moon and Mars proceed, experts should determine
which capabilities are vital for both the Moon and Mars.
The United States is well positioned to move ahead now.
NASA and its industry partners are developing launch and crew
capabilities well beyond existing systems and commercial
entities are advancing impressive technologies.
There's also strong support for human spaceflight,
particularly Mars, amongst the public. This strength and this
support becomes clearer when the public is given precise
information.
For example, as shown in the 2013 Mars Generation Poll,
when informed that NASA accounts for less than one-half of 1
percent of the Federal budget, the public tends to
overwhelmingly support ambitious plans for space exploration.
So with bipartisan support in Congress, with unwavering
public support, and, you know, clear support from the current
and past Administrations, many of us wonder why our Nation
seems unable to commit decision to finally enable human
missions to Mars.
We don't want to squander this broad support and in 20
years find ourselves looking back to realize we were unable to
return to the surface of the Moon or send humans to Mars.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I'd like to
thank you for taking the time to hold this hearing.
I conclude by saying that while we should never be reckless
with the lives of our astronauts, we need to take calculated
risks and be bold, as we were in the 1960s, to achieve
something truly extraordinary for the United States and the
world. We are well past due for the next giant leap.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Carberry follows:]
Prepared Statement of Chris Carberry, Chief Executive Officer,
Explore Mars, Inc.
Thank you, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Markey, and the other
members of the Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness, for
your gracious invitation to testify at today's hearing. I am honored to
be here to discuss how the United States should lead humanity's efforts
to land humans on the surface of Mars by 2033.
Next July we will all be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the
historic Apollo 11 Moon landing. Today the United States and our
commercial and international partners are at a new and exciting
watershed moment in human space exploration, and we are well-positioned
to continue where the Apollo Program left off. With new launch
capabilities coming online and with the continued support of Congress,
the Executive Branch, and the American public, we are now poised to
send crews even further into deep space with Americans landing on the
surface of Mars in the 2030s.
To further this goal, teams of scientists and engineers from
industry, NASA, and academia have come together as a community in a
series of recent workshops, and have been developing scenarios for
achievable missions to Mars. These workshops, known as the Achieving
Mars Workshops (https://www.exploremars.org/affording-mars), are
organized by Explore Mars, Inc., the organization that I am privileged
to serve as CEO, in partnership with the American Astronautical
Society, and sponsored by major aerospace companies. The scenarios for
achievable Mars missions developed by these workshops have four
essential characteristics:
1. They are affordable,
2. They are achievable without technological miracles,
3. They are sustainable in coordination with our international
partners, and,
4. They achieve major and long-standing scientific goals.
Our recent workshops have been motivated to a large extent by the
long-standing support of our Nation's space program by the United
States Congress, including most recently with the passage of the NASA
Transition Authorization Act of 2017, which states in part that ``NASA
shall take all necessary steps, . . . to ensure that activities in
NASA's human exploration program balance how those activities might
also help meet the requirements of future exploration and utilization
activities leading to human habitation on the surface of Mars.'' That
Act goes on to say, ``NASA shall contract . . . to study the
feasibility of the launch of a human space flight mission to Mars in
2033.''
If this deadline is to be achieved, however, we can not allow
ourselves to postpone critical decisions about specific mission
architectures. Many such decisions need to be made in the very near
term, otherwise there will be little hope of actually seeing American
boots on the surface of Mars in the early to mid-2030s. Fortunately, we
do not need to start from scratch. Over the past several years,
numerous realistic and efficient concepts to land humans on Mars have
been proposed by NASA, industry/commercial stakeholders, and others,
and our workshops and the community that they represent have built on
and refined those concepts to the point where we as a nation are ready
and should be willing to act.
These workshops have revealed the high degree of commonality of the
critical elements of a Mars program that exists among different
scenarios for exploration of the Red Planet. There are, of course,
additional key technologies and plans that must be developed in order
to achieve the goal of human missions to Mars. However, the United
States overcame a multitude of such challenges in order to land humans
on the Moon in the 1960s, and to build an International Space Station
in the decades that followed, and America can overcome whatever
challenges lie ahead in order to land humans on Mars in the 2030s.
For many years, the space community has been unable to achieve
consensus regarding the scope and long-term goals of initial missions
to Mars. However, our most recent workshop--the 5th in the series--was
specifically addressed to that situation. Workshop participants
outlined three architectures that span the range of likely options for
human missions to Mars, with each of these missions leading eventually
to crews that would be away from Earth for roughly 1,000 days:
1. The first scenario involves ``sortie-like'' missions, with a two-
week stay on the surface, analogous to the Apollo Program.
2. The second concept is a semi-permanent base or ``field camp'' on
the surface, with a stay of a year and a half, and is analogous
to early Antarctic exploration.
3. The third concept is a sustained, permanent habitation analogous
to current Antarctic exploration, setting the stage for
potential settlements.
Our series of workshops have also found that in order to succeed,
any plan to send humans to Mars must encompass, in the decision-making
process by NASA, policy-makers, and our partners, the following:
1. Science precursor missions in the 2020s are critical for human
exploration in the 2030s. The 2020 Rover is the last robotic
mission to Mars that the United States has funded. This rover
must not be the end of our robotic missions. In advance of
humans to Mars, we will need new reconnaissance capabilities
around Mars, and more robust deep-space communication. If we
achieve a sample return mission, which is considered a top
priority, we should consider a ``heavy'' sample return mission
that not only collects a significant amount of Martian samples,
but can also provide an intermediate test for Entry, Descent,
and Landing capabilities as well as employ robust experiments
for in-situ resource utilization and other essential
technologies needed for a sustainable human presence on Mars.
2. Lunar operations should be planned with Mars as the ultimate
goal: Missions to the vicinity of the Moon should be designed
and executed in a manner that will create a clear path to Mars
and stimulate commercial and international participation.
3. Common ``Long-Pole'' Capabilities: During the 4th Achieving Mars
Workshop in 2016, over a dozen ``long-poles''--that is,
capabilities that need to be developed and such work needs to
begin immediately to accomplish humans Mars landings in the
2030s--were identified and designated. As plans for the Moon
and Mars proceed, experts should determine which `long-poles'
are vital for both the Moon and Mars.
4. Integration is essential: Missions should be designed and
conducted with unprecedented coordination among the
directorates of NASA, industrial/commercial entities, and our
international partners, the latter of which look to us to lead
these efforts.
Regardless of which approach is chosen, and that choice must be
made soon, the United States is well-positioned to move ahead now. As
we all know, NASA and its industry partners are developing launch and
crew capabilities well beyond any existing or previous systems,
commercial entities are also advancing impressive technologies, and
there is unprecedented international interest and activity in space
exploration.
In addition, and also importantly, there remains strong public
support for human space exploration--particularly Mars. The nature and
extent of this support becomes even clearer when the public is given
precise information. For example, as evidenced by the findings of the
2013 Mars Generation National Opinion Poll (https://
www.exploremars.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Mars-Generation-Survey-
full-report-March-7-2013.pdf), when informed that NASA accounts for
less than half of one percent of the Federal budget, the public tends
to overwhelmingly support ambitious plans for space exploration.
The entertainment industry--whose profits are based on
understanding the appetites and passions of the public--understands
this national Mars enthusiasm exceedingly well. As highlighted in the
2018 Humans to Mars Report (https://www.exploremars.org/the-humans-to-
mars-report), there are innumerable television and film projects
underway depicting Mars exploration and settlement. While policy should
certainly not be decided based solely on the current Hollywood movie
trend, the continuing profitability of Mars related film projects is
clear evidence of the sustained enthusiasm that the public has for Mars
exploration.
With this overwhelming bi-partisan support in Congress, clear
support from the current and previous administrations, and unwavering
public support, many of us in the space community wonder why our Nation
seems unable to commit to the decisions that will finally enable human
missions to Mars. As this Committee well knows, many larger federally
funded projects--projects with far less broad-based support--have been
able to move forward with fewer delays, despite far less unity in
Congress and among American voters.
Once again, definitive decisions are needed soon. We do not want to
squander the support we now have and in twenty years in the future find
ourselves looking back to realize that we were unable to return to the
surface the Moon or send humanity to Mars in spite of the broad support
for such missions.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, my organization, Explore
Mars, Inc., and I, would like to thank you for taking the time to hold
this important hearing. I would like to conclude by saying that while
we should never be reckless with the lives of our astronauts, we need
to take calculated risks and be bold, once again, as we were in the
`60s, in order to achieve something truly extraordinary for the United
States and the world. We are well past due for ``the next giant leap. .
.''
Senator Cruz. Thank you, Mr. Carberry.
Dr. Newman.
STATEMENT OF DR. DAVA J. NEWMAN, APOLLO PROGRAM PROFESSOR OF
ASTRONAUTICS--MASSACHUSETTS
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY; HEALTH, SCIENCES,
AND TECHNOLOGY--HARVARD-MIT HST; FORMER NASA DEPUTY
ADMINISTRATOR
Dr. Newman. Thank you. Chairman Cruz, Senators Nelson and
Markey, Peters and Sullivan, it's my great honor to be here
with you today.
Putting humans on Mars has been my lifelong passion and my
entire research career, so I'm very delighted to talk to you,
and I was honored to serve as NASA's Deputy Administrator
previously.
In the past 40 years, we've learned an impressive amount
about our sister planet Mars. Thanks to NASA's scientific
robotic missions from Viking through Curiosity, we have more
information on Mars than any other planet, excluding our own.
These missions have brought back amazing images, majestic
alien landscapes. As mentioned today, the new discovery today,
every day, I get to read this stuff, you know, a lake
underneath the surface of Mars and previously the organic
molecules. So it just keeps getting better all the time every
day.
So really what we're here to talk about then is priorities
and investments. Scientific spacecraft and rovers, they're
going to continue to make great discoveries and answer the
three fundamental questions of all of exploration.
Are we alone? Are there other habitable planets? What about
life? The evidence is mounting in other planets.
So landing that first mission to Mars, that human mission,
the women and men, we're going to surpass 50 years of our
rovers. I love our rovers. They're great. But we've only gone
75 kilometers. So when we get those first boots on Mars, the
first mission, we're going to surpass the last 50 years. That's
how exciting it is to me to get humans to Mars and for
discovery and scientific purposes.
Nothing inspires the Nation, our future generations, my
students, and our students--I call them the Mars Generation--
more than human spaceflight.
Putting boots on Mars has been my dream for as long as I
can remember, and I was inspired by Apollo 11 because, Buzz,
thank you, inspired a young girl from Montana to think
everything's possible. You know, we don't have limits if we
really put our minds to it, but dreams and willpower, they're
not sufficient.
We already have some of the brightest scientists,
engineers, and technologists putting our inventiveness and
persistence to the boots on Mars journey. We've had great
bipartisan support from congressional leadership, thank you,
and across Administrations.
We need to build on those foundations with a clear strategy
and commitments for significant long-term funding. Prioritizing
on NASA's many important missions is never easy and in
Congress, you have hard decisions to make.
We spent $4 billion annually for our low-Earth orbit
missions where we do really important work. I was able to fly
technology demonstrators in 2015 and 2017 on suits for
astronauts, but from an exploration point of view and a desire
to push humanity beyond what we even think is possible, we've
been stuck in low-Earth orbit for too long. We need to rethink
the funding portfolio and timely investments to succeed in
getting to the Moon and onward to Mars.
Strategically, getting to Mars is figuring out the optimal
roles for NASA, private/commercial space ventures, and our
international partners. Within NASA, we need to better
integrate science, space technology, and human exploration
portfolios.
I recommend a synergistic Mars program office across all
three with the necessary budget.
My view of the best pathway to Mars breaks the strategy
into three phases. Currently, Phase 1 on International Space
Station, Phase 2 getting back to the Moon briefly, demonstrate
that technologies that we need to sustain our astronauts beyond
lower earth orbit; namely, they've been talked about a little
bit before, heavy-lift launch capability, our solar electric
propulsion, surface habitats, our life support systems and
mobility systems.
So, soon we'll fly to Earth-Moon orbit and land on the
Moon. We need to evaluate the feasibility, cost, schedule, and
investment portfolio and then make the decision to stay the
course, no dead-end elements.
Phase 3 is self-sufficient travel to Mars. Explorers will
be months away from home, completely autonomous, no instant
communications with Earth. Mars is hard and it's really far
away.
So we'll rely on our technology investments of the 2020s in
our advanced propulsion, in our smart habitats, in our advanced
human machine autonomy and novel radiation protection. All of
those investments now and in the 2020s will pay off to get
humans to Mars.
It's going to be a completely self-supporting journey to
realize just seamless interoperability between our humans and
our machines. It's both. It's always humans and our machines to
make the big scientific breakthroughs.
It'll take a focused strategy and technology development to
implement Phase 2, getting back to the Moon, and shortly
thereafter Phase 3 to assure that U.S. will lead human Mars
exploration.
I might say myself and my students are working on some of
these challenges. We investigate astronaut performance and
reduced gravity and design suits and engineer solutions to keep
them safe and healthy.
There are also Earth applications for everything we do.
Specifically in my case, to help humans walk, think about how
we can help with cerebral palsy, all those dual-use technology
investments here on Earth.
So those investments on universities, you know, they're
very low-technology readiness levels. So that's why it's
crucial that we integrate science and space technology as
central parts of the NASA Mars Strategy.
Increased the funding, keep it stable, develop a NASA
portfolio that greatly furthers synergies among science,
technology, and human exploration. It's a comprehensive phased
plan. With the right leadership and coalition, it will send us
beyond low-Earth orbit to the Moon and to Mars, put humans on
Mars in the 2030s.
Thank you very much.
[The prepared statement of Dr. Newman follows:]
Prepared Statement of Dr. Dava J. Newman, Apollo Program Professor of
Astronautics--Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Health, Sciences
and Technology--Harvard-MIT HST; Former NASA Deputy Administrator
Thank you, Chairman Cruz, Senators Nelson and Markey, and all the
members of the space subcommittee and full committee for the
opportunity to testify today. Putting humans on Mars has been a
lifelong passion for me and the focus of my research career, so I am
delighted to be here with you today.
In the past 40 years, we've learned an impressive amount about our
sister planet, Mars. Thanks to NASA's scientific robotic missions, from
Viking through Curiosity, we have more information about Mars than
about any other planet, excluding our own. These missions have beamed
back images of Mars' majestic and alien landscape and discovered liquid
water beneath its surface. They've provided evidence that in ancient
times there was surface water and an atmosphere rich enough to support
life.
Just last month, researchers pouring over data from our Curiosity
Rover identified complex, organic molecules in Martian sediment. Were
they produced biologically, as similar compounds are here on Earth, and
hence signs that Mars once bore life? 3.5 B years ago, Earth and Mars-
sister planets, both likely had life. What went so terribly wrong on
Mars? The answers, our scientific discoveries, tell us about life here
on Earth and throughout the Solar System.
Scientific spacecraft and rovers will continue to make great
discoveries and might someday answer the three enduring questions of
exploration: (1) Are we alone? (2) Are there other habitable planets?
(3) Is there life elsewhere, and what type? Landing women and men on
Mars will accelerate discovery by many orders of magnitude. The first
human missions to Mars will surpass the past 50 years of Mars robotic
exploration. On just one human mission, we'll travel more than the 75
km cumulatively traveled on Mars by NASA's rovers.
Nothing inspires a nation--and future generations of innovators, my
students, our students, who I call the ``Mars Generation''--more than
human spaceflight! Putting humans on Mars has been my dream for as long
as I can remember, inspired by Apollo 11 as a young girl in Montana
witnessing Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin being the
first to land on the Moon. Apollo taught me to dream, to reach for the
stars, and that anything was possible. I believe--I know--that we can
make the leap, putting humans on Mars in the 2030s.
But dreams and willpower are not sufficient. We already have some
of the brightest scientists, engineers, and technologists bringing
their inventiveness and persistence to the `Boots on Mars' mission.
We've had bipartisan support from Congressional leadership and across
administrations. We need to build on those foundations with a clear
strategy and commitments to significant long-term funding.
Prioritizing among NASA's many important missions is never easy,
and you all in Congress have to make tough choices if we are to
succeed. We spend $4 billion annually for Low Earth Orbit missions.
They do important--critical--work. I know first-hand, my patented
gravity loading countermeasure suit, flew on the ISS as a technology
demonstration on astronauts in 2015 and 2017. But from an exploration
point of view, and the desire to push humanity beyond what we think is
possible, we've been stuck in LEO for far too long. We need to re-think
the funding portfolio and timely investments to succeed in getting
humans back to the Moon and onward to Mars.
Strategically, getting boots on Mars means figuring out the optimal
roles for NASA, for private, commercial space ventures and for our
international partners. Within NASA, we need to better integrate the
Science, Space Technology, and Human Exploration portfolios. I
recommend a synergistic Mars Program Office across all three with the
necessary budget. No one nation can get to Mars alone, nor should we,
on the timescale I envision. The benefits of the journey are for all of
humanity--human exploration demonstrates the best of global
cooperation.
My view of the best pathway to Mars breaks the strategy into three
phases. Historically, we had Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. Currently,
Phase I is the human exploration we are doing now, in LEO, on the
International Space Station. Phase II is to get back to the Moon and
deep space, demonstrating the technologies we need to sustain
astronauts beyond LEO, namely, heavy lift launch capability, solar
electric propulsion, deep space and surface habitats, and life support
and mobility systems. We will fly to Earth-Moon orbit and land on the
Moon. We need to evaluate the feasibility, cost, schedule, and
investment portfolio, then make a decision and stay the course.
Phase III is self-sufficient travel to Mars. Explorers will be
months away from home, we need to be completely autonomous without
instant communications with Earth. We will rely on our technology
investments in the 2020s in advanced propulsion, smart habitats,
advanced human-machine autonomy, and novel radiation protection for
this completely self-supporting journey to realize seamless
interoperability between humans and our machines for scientific
exploration. Why send humans to Mars many ask? When we're searching for
life in the Universe, past or present, we look for liquid water that is
critical to the evolution and sustenance of life. We have data from our
Mars robotic rovers and orbiters that tell us that water was stable for
as much as a billion years on Mars' surface, but that was about 3
billion years ago. This is the same time period that life evolved here
on Earth in the oceans, formed from the building blocks of life--amino
acids--that have been delivered all over the solar system by comets and
asteroids. Astrobiologists tell us that the conditions on Mars were so
similar to those on Earth that it's the most likely, closest place
beyond Earth to have harbored--and might still harbor--life.
It will take focused research and technology development to
implement Phase II and Phase III, to assure that we can lead human Mars
exploration missions. At MIT, my students and I are working on some of
these challenges. We investigate astronaut performance in low gravity
environments and engineer solutions, like advanced second skin
spacesuits and habitats that provide autonomy, sensing and self-repair.
My technology demonstrated on ISS, could be furthered on the moon to
provide greater astronaut mobility, ultimately, it will be technology
realized during Mars exploration. Like many NASA investments, my
research also has applications here on Earth, such as assisting people
with locomotion and musculoskeletal disorders via soft exoskeletons.
In our lab and others across the country, the technology needed to
get to Mars is under development. But most of it is still at a low
Technology Readiness Level, or TRL. That's why it's crucial that we
integrate Science and Space Technology as central parts of a NASA's
Mars strategy.
Increase funding, keep it stable and develop a NASA portfolio that
greatly furthers synergies among science, technology, and human
exploration. This comprehensive, phased plan with the right coalition,
will send us beyond low earth orbit, to the moon, and put humanity on
Mars in the 2030s.
Senator Cruz. Thank you very much and thank you to each of
the witnesses for your testimony.
Let me start out with a question to the panel. Why Mars?
Why should the American people care if we put a human being on
the surface of Mars?
Dr. Whitson. Well, I think we have a lot to learn about
life and how it might happen and occur in other places and I
think one key aspect of exploration, if you look at the
philosophical part of exploration, is learning about life and
where we come from.
But I think, you know, the big thing that benefits of
exploration maybe are not so much those philosophical ones,
even though that's what drives some of us, I think it's the
technological advancements.
Doing these difficult things is going to improve our
capability as a country, as a nation, as a world on solving
problems here on Earth and increasing technology, having people
interested in the sciences, studying more and learning more
things in the sciences is going to be a benefit here on Earth.
Mr. Bruno. I agree with everything my colleague has said.
I'd just like to add that when you want to establish a
fundamental scientific understanding of a complex system like
our own planet, it is crucial to be able to study similar, in
this case, celestial bodies in a different state of their
evolution.
Mars uniquely offers us that opportunity to have more than
one data point in a different state than our own planet is in
today.
Mr. Carberry. It's interesting. My organization actually
has a whole program on this very question. We released a
document about a year ago where we had about a dozen different
individuals from different disciplines. We had Hollywood
actors, we had scientists, we had, you know, science fiction
writers, STEM educators, just every imaginable discipline, you
know, explaining why we did, and this is one of the biggest
questions, why I think the whole space community sometimes
doesn't answer the question well, because there are so many
good answers.
When we went to the Moon, really there was one primary
answer, to beat the Soviet Union. It was easy to articulate.
Let's beat the Soviets.
Today, we have so many more and so many better reasons. The
inspirational value, if you go around speaking to kids around
the country, you realize they're really inspired, you know. The
technologies that will be required for it, plus, you know, of
all the places that humans can go in the Solar System, Mars is
best-suited for humanity.
As the discovery today of the liquid water below the
surface of Mars will show, we can live off the land on Mars,
you know. While there are resources on the Moon, they're not
nearly as abundant and there's no atmosphere there. So Mars is
really the best option for sending humans for sustainability
that we can achieve any time in the near future.
Dr. Newman. I agree with all of my colleagues, but Mars and
Earth, each 4.5 billion years old are sister planets. So Mars
is really habitable, warm, wonderful, and then probably 3.5
billion years ago something went terribly wrong.
Why is that so important? It teaches us about Earth,
because it teaches us about life. So it's a fundamental
question about life and we follow the water. So we're going to
follow that water that we just found today right down into the
sub-surface because you look for those amino acids. Those amino
acids have been spewed all over by common sensors. They're all
over the universe.
So we're looking for life. So the surface of life, as was
mentioned, is close, not too closest place to go, best place to
go. We will find this answer about life other places, past or
present, in the universe. That will fundamentally rewrite all
of our scientific textbooks, and I just can't think of anything
better to do.
Senator Cruz. In your judgment, what are the biggest
scientific and technical hurdles that stand between us and
landing safely on Mars, and are we on trajectory to clear those
hurdles and get to Mars and back safely by the 2030s?
Mr. Bruno. I'll go first. From a rocket scientist point of
view, it's actually very difficult to go to Mars and I've
placed those challenges sort of into two buckets.
One is simply the trip. The orbital mechanics of traveling
to Mars is a challenge. The other are the human factors and the
safety aspects of going to Mars because it is a very long deep
space transit.
So if I start with the first aspect, just to give you a
feel for it, our two planets are always in relative motion and
the geometry of the Mars orbit is especially challenging
because not only is Mars going around the sun at only half the
rate that the Earth is, it's also very eccentric orbit.
It's highly elliptical and so the distance between our two
planets can be as small as a gigantic 35 million miles or as
large as 250 million miles, and the only times we can really
practically go to Mars is when the Earth is catching up and
about to surpass Mars and at that point, that's really our only
launch window where we send a spacecraft to sort of
tangentially drift off and later intercept with the Martian
orbit and then do that rendezvous. Those opportunities only
come around once every two years because of the relative
motions of our planets.
The orbital accuracy required to achieve that defies sort
of human imagination. It's hard to relate to what we truly have
to achieve. So I did a little quick math last night to try and
scale all that down so it fit on the Earth so that we could
sort of relate to it a little bit better.
The way it works out is if we place this on Earth scaled
down, it's much like hitting a hole in one, for those of you
who are golfers, out at California's beautiful Pebble Beach,
teeing off from Paris, while standing on a moving pickup truck.
That's a pretty difficult problem.
You are sending this spacecraft on a fixed trajectory to
travel as much as 300 million miles way back at Earth. That's
when you let it go and it heads off. So the orbital mechanics
piece is very, very difficult.
The next challenge we run into is the transit time and the
environments that our Mars astronauts will be exposed to.
Because this is deep space travel, they will be experiencing
radiation environments that are four times more severe than
what we see on the International Space Station which is largely
still protected by the Earth's magnetosphere.
Because of the extreme duration of the mission--now we can
get to Mars on the right 2-year cycle theoretically as fast as
3 months but most practical missions are really going to take
more like six to eight months.
So because of that duration, our astronauts that go to Mars
and conduct a mission and come back are going to see at least a
hundred times, probably more than a hundred times the total
radiation exposure that Apollo astronauts experienced going to
and from the moon and so it's going to be absolutely vital that
we develop ultra-lightweight shielding materials and procedures
and con-ops that will minimize the exposure of our astronauts
to that environment.
We know only some of the health effects associated with
that kind of radiation exposure and if they're not protected,
they're pretty scary. We understand there will be significantly
increased risk of cancer, potential for nerve damage, cognitive
impairment, and even cataracts, and so we cannot tolerate that.
We have to keep our astronauts safe and within reasonable risk
limits on that trip, which is also why I believe the Moon in a
way is on the way to Mars because it affords us a platform to
do that research, develop these technologies, qualify them
nearer to home, three to six days from home, before we commit
that trip that's going to take at least a year.
Senator Cruz. Thank you.
Senator Markey. Senator Nelson.
Senator Nelson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Mr. Bruno. That was a most articulate
explanation and is in response to a former statement by Mr.
Carberry that they were going to send a quick expedition there
for two weeks on the surface. That's assuming that you've got
the planets aligned and that you can get there. Therefore that
begs the question: don't we have to have a faster propulsion to
get us there?
So, Drs. Newman and Whitson, how much of a priority should
NASA place on the space propulsion technologies and other than
that, what is the benefit of shortening the time to get to
Mars?
Dr. Whitson. Well, probably the biggest benefit of
shortening the time is reduced radiation risk. It's easiest to
protect the crew from radiation risk by not exposing them for
as long of periods of time. So that decreases it, and then once
you get on Mars, you could bury your habitat and provide some
protection that way, once you got there.
So I do think getting there faster is a big part of the
solution and I do think that there will still be risk,
radiation risk. So I think developing other alternative medical
or biomedical-type solutions might also need to be necessary,
as well, just to have that as a backup, but I do think getting
there faster will help for sure.
Dr. Newman. I agree. I'd love to shorten the time by half,
so the investments, again the technology investments in
advanced propulsion, I think we can still make it even if we
use conventional, you know, chemical rockets.
One technology we haven't talked about is inter-descent
landing. It's critically important. Right now today, we know
how to land one to two metric tons. It's fantastic what we do
with Curiosity Rover. Mars 2020 coming up, but, truthfully, we
know how to land one to two metric tons. So your human mission
start at the baseline working on 20 metric tons, 40, I believe.
How about five metric tons, 10 metric tons? How about modular
designs? How about new kind of architectures? But that is a
step change. So that's the limitation right now in our
understanding but that's why we're studying it.
I agree with the propulsion. The radiation, there's some
great research going on. I'm optimistic. I mean give us 10
years. Sure, we need shielding, better materials. We're on it,
but we've got to look at biology, as well. This will help our
view of Martian astronauts but that will fundamentally help
cancer research here on Earth.
So if you want to talk about synergies and it's happening
and I think within the decade or two, so really look deep into
the biology and the genetics of this is going to help protect
our astronauts but, as well, it could be fundamental for life
here on Earth.
Senator Nelson. So, Mr. Bruno, what is the importance to
industry that NASA have a stable plan to get to Mars instead of
a herky-jerky approach?
Mr. Bruno. Yes, stability in terms of a clear plan and
direction set of priorities and funding stability is absolutely
vital.
In industry, if you don't have the work for your people to
do, they don't stay on the team. They scatter and they go to
other industries, they go to other activities, and human
capital is everything to this mission.
You know, the physical things are important but those are
the easiest things to come by, launch pads, tooling, factory.
That's the most replaceable. Know-how, expertise and
experience, that's very perishable and that is the most
important thing.
So it is absolutely the Number One priority from an
industrial point of view.
Senator Nelson. Dr. Whitson, other than the exposure to
radiation, what are we finding out by your personal experience
of many days in near-zero G that we're going to have to
overcome to go on a mission to Mars?
Dr. Whitson. Well, in engineering terms, I'm the fleet
leader right now. I've got the most revolutions, the most
radiation, but I do feel that we have come a long ways. We've
learned a lot of things. We still are learning some things. You
know, we're able to protect bone mass, which is a big deal. We
don't know for sure if it's all going to be the same bone
quality because it's always constantly being remodeled. So
we're still doing more detailed studies on that but we're
testing different types of drugs because we have a platform
where we can test those new drugs and understand them and
easily by the time we start sending people, we will have
complete solutions for those, I think, and we will be ready.
I think really the biggest hurdle right now is radiation
and, you know, we do have some changes in the vision, but I
think we're getting a handle on even those now, as well.
So I think we will be ready and we do have a roadmap of
different types of investigations and answers that we need for
the Mars missions, and I'm confident that we'll get there with
platforms, like what we have on the ISS and on the future
Gateway. That could also be an excellent platform for some
further research as we extend.
Senator Nelson. Thank you. Thanks.
Senator Cruz. Thank you.
Senator Markey.
Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Dr. Newman, you spoke in your opening statement about the
importance of human exploration rather than relying upon robots
alone.
Why is that important? Why is human exploration so
important in substitution for robots or other technologies,
given every other industry moving to automation?
Dr. Newman. So it's really our humans and robots and our
machines together. We really are now in a world versus global
exploration and it's humans and machines. Mars is so far away.
It's a communications. So we have to change our--we call them
con-ops, the mission operations. Our humans have to be
completely autonomous.
I mentioned before just the inspiration, lifting everyone
up. Let's just do the hardest thing that is possible to do
because we know we can do it and that'll raise everybody up.
I've spent my whole career in STEM education. I call it
STEAM now because I want to bring in the Arts. I bring in the
Makers because every little girl and boy I talk to says you're
in it, you know. You want to get humans to Mars inspires every
single one of them.
The human capability, when we get to Mars, we will surpass
what we've done for 50 years with rovers, I mean, I love--I'm a
robotics myself, but we've only covered--you know, these are
slow and we only go an inch at a time. So humans are--we're
really mobile. We're really good. You know, we are going there
to explore. So you can just cover so much terrain and Apollo
made a huge difference when we gave the rover, so the humans on
their machines in that rover, and we just doubled and tripled
our range of exploration. So I really do see it as time for
humans. We'll keep doing the precursor robotic missions but
when we really get there, if we haven't found life already, I
think we'll find it very quickly then with human and robotic
missions together and synergy.
Thank you.
Mr. Bruno. Could I add one thought to Dr. Newman's remarks?
Robots are really, really good at doing one thing. We
program them to do one thing. They're great at it. They can be
better than a human being at that. What human beings are good
at is doing many things and many unanticipated tasks. There's
absolutely no replacement for a Buzz Aldrin, boots on the
ground. When you get to Mars and you find the conditions are
not exactly as you anticipated or you discover something you
want to investigate further, a person can do that. We have to
send another robot from Earth if we want to do that.
Senator Markey. So thank you, Buzz Aldrin, for everything
you do.
I agree with you. We need boots on Mars, not just bots on
Mars. We need to ensure that we do both, but the boots on Mars
is the key.
Can you talk a little bit about the benefits to humanity of
going to Mars? What do you see as the derivative benefits, Dr.
Newman?
Dr. Newman. Thank you. I think it's globally hard to
really--you can't put a price tag. You can't put importance on
how Apollo fundamentally changed all of us. I am sure that I am
here today because I was a young girl watching Apollo 11. I
mean, it was so inspirational, just everything, the best of
humanity. So that's how I look at the Mars mission now.
We get humans there with all of our great science. It'll
lift us all up. It will open up the eyes and the doors. So I
really do see it as a global cooperation and lifting up
humanity. Who knows what we can do. We have some real
challenges. We have some real scientific and technology
challenges here on Earth and I liked the point that was made
perhaps, too.
We need more of an N of 1. We just have Earth now. We have
a whole Solar System out there. We have a lot happening on
Venus and Mars. So again just putting that all together and
just saying the Solar System is ours, do it together. We share
that. What a great day today with the science discovery. We're
all going to take credit for that, right? It's Italian lead
investigators but we're all in this together because, guess
what, NASA's funded most of that science to make that happen.
So that's how I look at it. It really is for all of us. It's
something that is completely inclusive and it's for everyone
and it just helps us, you know, raise our game.
Mr. Carberry. I'd like to actually comment on that.
Senator Markey. Just a minute. Mr. Bruno, can you comment a
second on what opportunities exist in SIS lunar space that can
benefit us down here?
Mr. Bruno. SIS lunar space promises the potential of a
post-scarcity human future. It's a complete paradigm change for
our civilization and for what it means to be a human being.
Today, we think on Earth about fixed resources in a world
in which there is ever-more scarcity as we go forward but when
we look out into SIS lunar space, just a scant week's journey
from where we sit today, there are such resources in such
abundance that it truly defies human imagination.
There are a thousand years of total global production of
industrial metals just in the asteroids between here and the
moon. There are more precious metals than have ever been mined
in the history of humankind.
So when it is practical and affordable to access those
resources, we're looking at a human future that is completely
different than what we have seen before.
Senator Markey. And, Mr. Carberry, if I may, international
cooperation, how important is that?
Mr. Carberry. Extremely important. We've been actually
doing a number of programs on this. We did a partnership with
the UAE recently. It has been one of our primary objectives to
try to really make sure human exploration to Mars is
international. It should be led by the United States but our
international partners want us to lead. They continually say at
various events that they will follow along, if they can see
that we are actually leading the path, but they have concerns
that we keep changing directions. They're not sure that we're
going to stick with the directions.
So I think it's extremely important not only to build that
sustainability but also to offset some of the budget, as well.
I think we absolutely need international participation with
Mars missions.
Senator Markey. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Cruz. Thank you.
Senator Peters.
STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN
Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member,
for this fascinating Committee, and certainly appreciate the
testimony.
I want to pick up on Senator Markey's question about
international cooperation, particularly in terms of how we pay
for all of this.
I am a huge booster of this. I think we've got to move
forward. I share, Dr. Whitson, some of your philosophical
dreams, as well. I think that's an important part of it but
also I'm a dollars and cents guy, so I have to go back to my
constituents and make the case as to why these investments are
important and also how we can do this in an efficient way, and
I think most taxpayers will say why would the U.S. Government
and taxpayers do this all by ourselves, notwithstanding all the
wonderful benefits, which I'll agree. I'm not arguing against
any of those benefits.
So my questions are related to how do we find those
partners. Mr. Carberry, you mentioned the international
partners, but before I go to that, it seems to me that when we
think about the advantages of this journey, beyond the
philosophical ones, it is technological advancements. We know
what happened in the Apollo Program and all of the spinoffs
that were there that benefited our society immensely.
Because of the extreme and difficult technological
challenges for Mars, I suspect those advancements will be even
greater and there will be some sort of exponential amount of
that, but I want to get your sense.
Is it possible to have private industry partners because
often with a lot of this technology. It's not happening within
government. It's artificial intelligence that's not happening
to the same extent within government labs as it is in the
private sector, which is moving very rapidly.
I'm from Michigan. Autonomy, self-driving vehicles, and
autonomous systems are moving incredibly rapidly in the private
sector, as well. What sort of opportunities do you think we
have for NASA to partner with private industry where there's a
financial benefit for them as well as a benefit for the
mission? Is that possible? How would we think that through?
Mr. Carberry. I think there are tremendous opportunities. I
think when we go to Mars, it will be NASA-run, but there are
tremendous opportunities to integrate all these new commercial
entities.
We already are doing it and, of course, all the people
developing the hardware are commercial people that make it
sound like it's all the government that's actually building all
the hardware. They're not. But as you mentioned, technologies,
like AI or VR, these are all industries that are currently
working on technologies that are interested.
We just had a conference where we highlighted a lot of
these technologies that will be integral when we go to Mars,
not only when we're actually there for the astronauts and the
scientists back on Earth, but ways to bring along the public
along with us, you know, through all these new technologies,
but also areas, kind of like with that benefit to Earth.
We were recently doing programming in partnership with the
agriculture industry. We need to learn how to grow food on
Mars, utilize water, and so there are all these different areas
of technology in order to be able to eat, areas which you
wouldn't imagine right now. You don't think of traditional
aerospace industries but this really runs enormous range of
different types of industries and capabilities that will be
required to go to Mars and will come back and benefit us as we
learn to do better agriculture in arid locations, like Mars, or
extracting water or power, you know, better power utilization.
So I see this as critical and as we move forward, we need
to integrate this in the overall plan, not just
internationally, but find ways to build these public-private
partnerships.
Senator Peters. In my comments, I'm saying it's different
when you have private industry investing as opposed to being a
contractor. I get it that they're selling their services as a
contractor. They're doing it. The government's contracting it.
But how do we get a company to say we want to actually
invest in the Mars mission because we'll put our own money in?
We're not expecting any taxpayers to contract with us. We're
expecting we will invest our own money in this because we
believe a successful Mars mission pays off to our investors.
Mr. Carberry. They already are.
Senator Peters. So the private business is investing now
with----
Mr. Carberry. Private industry is investing in a lot of
different technologies, very enthusiastic. Obviously, there are
a lot of major companies you've heard of that are investing
their own funds, you know, to advance Mars missions. But going
back to these other types of technologies I mentioned, like VR,
AI, but also agricultural elements, I know of a number of
companies that are actually--they're excited about it. They're
investing in it. They want to take part. Yes, they're going to
want a contract at some point in the future. They hope to be
part of it but it's not all about money.
They're excited about participating in Mars exploration and
helping to create a more successful mission. So there are
companies that are investing right now. Do we need more of it?
Of course we do. We want to find ways to stimulate that but
it's already happening.
Mr. Bruno. So if I might add to that, this is a special
opportunity. There are two types of private investment that you
might experience relative to space.
There are companies making investments in order to position
themselves to win government contracts, which means that
ultimately the government is still paying for all of this. Then
there are investments that companies make because there is a
commercial business case that can be closed.
A few moments ago, I referred to the tremendous natural
resources and the potential for commercial activity in SIS
lunar space. Because going to Mars needs to pass through, if
you will, the moon in order to do research and develop the key
technologies, that creates an environment that is perfect for
public-private partnerships for companies that want to leverage
that research, to then develop natural resources from the moon,
to mine ice for propellants, to tap the industrial metals that
are in the near earth objects, and invest their money because
they can close a commercial business case within a relatively
short horizon by teaming with NASA, furthering NASA's goal,
while enabling this SIS lunar economically independent and
self-sustaining econosphere.
Senator Peters. Great.
Dr. Newman. And piggybacking on to that, I agree with Tory,
and so when we look at the public-private partnerships, I had
the pleasure to be in charge when I was at NASA with 120
countries and over a thousand of them, so that's a lot, and it
just depends. A lot of it has to be government-led, I do
believe, space agency-led, when we talk about Mars. That's what
exploration is about.
When we get closer to home, low earth orbit, the smallest
sat business case, they close, they close. So we need to
further that. That's where industry is going to step up and the
business case really closer to home and SIS lunar. It seems
that those business case closes, but when we talk about Mars
have to think that again government leadership, really moving
out to say this is what we're going to do as the U.S., and
they'll be great private partners and there is a new model
under our public-private partnerships.
Industry is really coming to the table and they really are
putting in a lot of their investments. So I think we have to
get that model right in the public-private partnerships but
destination, you know, how far away we go from Earth really
makes a big difference in the distance case.
Senator Peters. Right. Thank you.
Mr. Bruno. I would even add one more thought, which is, you
know, in his opening remarks, Senator Nelson talked about
needing to be careful that the endeavor of going to the moon
does not distract us from our ultimate goal of going to Mars.
These two things are linked. There's logistic support and
activity around the research that will happen at the moon in
order to go to Mars that will allow NASA the opportunity to
quickly transition those activities to commercial companies for
commercial uses and that is how NASA will be able to stay
focused on Mars as the ultimate goal and not get bogged down in
logistics associated with being in vicinity of the moon.
Senator Peters. All right. Thank you.
Senator Cruz. Well, let me echo something Mr. Bruno said in
terms of talking about the opportunities of commercial space.
One of the reasons we've seen some of the advances we've
seen in recent years is because of the very beneficial
collaboration we've had between the public sector and NASA and
the commercial space industry, and at the end of the day, the
commercial sector is going to be able to invest billions more
in dollars to getting this job done and I share your optimism
about the potential and, indeed, I predicted before that I
think the first trillionaire that we see will be made in space.
I don't know who it will be and I don't know what they will
discover or what they will accomplish but I think it is every
bit as vast and promising a frontier as the New World was some
centuries ago.
One of the things that has been gratifying in this time of
deep partisan division on so many issues is that space has not
been one of them, that we've seen under President Obama, we've
seen under President Trump, a cooperation in the Senate, in
Congress, between Democrats and Republicans, committed to
maintaining space exploration and America's leadership.
In the past several years, we passed bipartisan legislation
authorizing NASA, commercial space launch legislation, one
signed by Obama, one signed by Trump. We're in the process of
taking up, and I hope passing, yet a second round of commercial
space launch legislation that I just recently introduced, and
the intention is to take up a longer-term NASA authorization
bill.
The one we passed last year was the first one in seven
years. It was an important milestone, but it was designed to
ensure continuity. This next NASA authorization, the hope is
that it will reach further and be bolder in aspirations and so
I guess the question that I would ask this panel is if the
objective, as all seem to agree, is getting to Mars and getting
to Mars by the 2030s, are there elements that any of you think
are particularly important for Congress to include in the NASA
authorization legislation to facilitate that, to accelerate
that, to remove barriers that may stand between us and getting
to Mars?
Mr. Bruno. I would say two things and one of them you have
already alluded to, sir, which is stability in the national
goals and the funding associated with that, so that there are
not fits and stops and starts and loss of vital workforce, as I
alluded to a moment ago.
The other thing that I think we need to be mindful of I
mentioned in my opening remarks. From the standpoint of the
launch industry, this is a flat marketplace, if anything,
expected to have a temporary dip. It's essential that we have a
healthy industrial base.
The thing that's unique about our system in America is that
we have a partnership between government and industry. NASA and
its industry partners work together. That's why we have the
greatest technology in the world. It's why we can aspire to
tremendous goals, like putting boots on Mars and putting a
permanent presence there.
The industrial base must be taken care of and so at a time
when the other commercial demands for launch, for example, are
low, we need to make sure that we have a healthy competitive
set of companies in America and we do that by keeping those
investments at home in our own industry.
Mr. Carberry. One of the critical things, I think, that is
actually needed is something we've gone over in one of our
previous workshops that brought aerospace professionals
together and we created--kind of outlined probably about a
dozen long pole technologies.
These are technologies we need to start working on pretty
much immediately if we have any hope of landing humans on Mars
in the 2030s. These include entry, descent, and landing, as Dr.
Newman mentioned, and other things, like Eclis, you know,
Assent. Some of these technologies are going to take quite
awhile to actually achieve and we can't just wait until we're
at Mars and then say, oh, now we have to figure out how to
land.
So we have to start working on them now. We have to outline
which ones, plus outline which ones have direct overlap with
lunar exploration, first defining what lunar exploration means
in the context of what we're going to do, but then figure out
which ones have direct overlap, you know, so we can actually
start working on those specifically.
Another thing, which was already actually mentioned in the
2017 Authorization, better integration, better integration with
the mission directorates and the partners to make sure they
move ahead efficiently, so like human exploration and science
and technology can all work in tandem, you know, toward that
one goal. So there are probably dozens of other things, like I
mentioned, but I'll leave it right there.
Thank you.
Dr. Newman. Yes, constancy of purpose, we like to call
that, advanced propulsion, smart habitats, incorporating all of
that autonomy that is, you know, we're on the edge of right
now, entry, descent, landing, bio-regenerative life support
systems hasn't been mentioned, suits, in situ research
utilization. That's what we do when we get to other planets.
That's what explorers always do. We live off the land, so we
have to figure that out. We have to make the habitats out of
our basalts.
When we it comes to humans, radiation is the Number One,
need to work on that more, but the human factors, the mental
well-being of folks far, far away, can't trivialize that. We
need to take care of the safety and wellness of our astronauts,
musculoskeletal, we're getting a handle on that, and my final
comment is this integration. That's really functional. That's
really the functional organization. That's hard because we have
to--we can't have the stovepipe. So we really need science,
technology, human exploration, one pot of money. So that's why
I call the Mars Program Office. That would be the true
integration. I think we could get there.
Mr. Bruno. If I could add one more thought to one of the
things that Dava brought up, I hear a lot of debate and
assertions in this question that, well, you know, this is a
great human endeavor and there's going to be risks and so we're
going to tolerate people being lost and it is true that there
are inherent risks in going to space.
Space is a physics-defying act and it is not possible to
make it risk-free. That's a fact. However, there is no reason
that we need to take unnecessary risks with human life. Our
astronauts are our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers,
husbands and wives, and it is not acceptable that we take risks
with their lives and well-being that we can avoid and apply our
ingenuity and our industrial and technological might in order
to mitigate.
Dr. Whitson. Well, I'll go back and just reiterate that the
one most important thing is constancy of purpose. We have to
have a vision that lasts more than one Administration. We have
to have a budget line that will support those goals and
objectives that we are striving to reach and to me, I think
that will help us solve a lot of the problems.
Senator Cruz. Well, thank you very much. Let me thank each
of the witnesses.
I would note on constancy of purpose that has been one area
where we have seen wide agreement in Congress and in the Senate
and, indeed, we began the NASA authorization endeavor in the
previous Administration and continued it through to this
Administration precisely to avoid the sort of cancelations
we've seen in the past, whether with Constellation or
otherwise, and the billions of wasted dollars and frustrated
man hours that were lost.
And so let me thank each of the witnesses. This has been, I
think, a very productive and informative hearing. Thank you for
your lifelong commitment. This is a labor of love. Nobody is
confused that you're doing this for anything other than
passion, and we will keep this hearing record open for two
weeks. There may be Senators who submit follow-up questions and
the witnesses are asked, if there are follow-up questions, to
promptly respond to those.
And with that, this hearing is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 4:31 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Bill Nelson to
Dr. Peggy Whitson
Question. In the International Space Station (ISS) transition plan,
NASA outlined how the ISS will be used to prepare for the journey to
Mars. NASA's proposed lunar gateway could also play a role, but it will
reside much further from Earth in the harsh deep space radiation
environment outside Earth's Van Allen belts. When it comes to doing
research and developing technologies for human missions to Mars, is
there anything we can do on a lunar platform that wouldn't be safer and
cheaper to do on the space station?
Answer. I believe that the Gateway to the Moon and beyond will give
us a strategic presence in cislunar space that will drive our activity
with commercial and international partners and help us further explore
the Moon and its resources and leverage that experience toward human
missions to Mars. We also will begin to build the in-space
infrastructure for long-term exploration and development of the Moon by
delivering to lunar orbit a power and propulsion element as the
foundation of the Gateway. In-space power and propulsion and deep space
habitation are central to future human exploration. Development and
deployment of these capabilities will be a focus of the early-to-mid
2020s, leading to crewed missions beyond the Earth-Moon system,
including to the Mars system.
NASA has already taken steps in a new campaign in Advanced Cislunar
and Surface Capabilities (ACSC) that will once again establish U.S.
preeminence to, around, and on the Moon. Working in parallel with
scientific lunar exploration, and in addition to the initial flights of
the SLS, Orion, and the elements of the Gateway, NASA is planning to
develop a series of progressively greater robotic lunar missions to the
surface of the Moon. This will also serve as a foundational training
ground to prepare for later missions to Mars.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Gary Peters to
Dr. Peggy Whitson
International Cooperation. The U.S. will likely not be alone in our
quest to put humans on Mars. With more potential international partners
now growing space programs than ever before, putting together a
coordinated effort will be challenging. As administrations change, so
do our priorities in space, making it difficult for our potential
partners to be assured of long-term plans.
Question. What sort of plans or agreements would be helpful in
building a coordinated international coalition for a mission to Mars?
Answer. The 14 space agencies participating with NASA in the
International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) have reached
consensus regarding the importance of a Gateway in expanding human
presence to the Moon, Mars and deeper into the solar system. Through
partnerships both domestic and international, NASA will bring
innovation and new approaches to the advancement of U.S. human
spaceflight goals. International partnerships with Japan, Europe,
Canada, and Russia bring over 30 years of Space Shuttle and
International Space Station (ISS) experience and have been a vital
component of U.S. space exploration. NASA expects additional
capabilities could be provided by other international partners. The
Gateway offers a compelling vision of the future that will attract
contributions from U.S. private sector companies and international
partners.
Sample Return. A recent article published in the journal Science
announced the discovery of organic molecules in ancient Martian rocks.
These were the results of data coming from the Curiosity rover. Just
think how much more could be realized with in-depth studies in
laboratories here on Earth. The Decadal Survey for Planetary Science
covering 2013 to 2023 states the start of a sample return mission from
Mars should be the highest priority mission for NASA. Yet we still have
no firm commitment to the Mars Sample Return mission in the FY19
budget.
Question 1. When will we need a commitment or specific plans for
sample return to maintain leadership in this area?
Answer. My understanding is that NASA's FY 2019 budget request
enables planning for a potential Mars Sample Return mission
incorporating commercial and international partnerships, including $50
million for specific studies and technology development aimed at Mars
sample return mission.
Question 2. Should we prioritize a multi-mission effort targeting
the return of large Martian samples to Earth sooner rather than later,
or would this be to the detriment of getting humans on Mars?
Answer. I anticipate that technologies that will inform future
crewed missions and launches will be a natural outcome of preparing for
a potential sample return mission, so I do expect significant value in
pursing Martian sample return.
Manufacturing in Space. The infrastructure build out needed for a
human mission to Mars, especially for when our astronauts reach Martian
soil is a complex and complicated challenge. NASA has worked with
America Makes--the Manufacturing USA institute focused on additive
manufacturing--to hold a competition for 3D printing of habitats using
indigenous materials. An alternate approach to indigenous materials
would be to pre-place materials and equipment on Mars, but that may
take some technology development for landing of heavy payloads.
Question. What do you think is the most likely solution for
manufacturing on Mars and how much is being invested in this area right
now?
Answer. NASA and partner Bradley University of Peoria, Illinois,
selected five teams to share a $100,000 prize in the latest stage of
the Agency's 3D-Printed Habitat Centennial Challenge competition.
Winning teams successfully created digital representations of the
physical and functional characteristics of a house on Mars using
specialized software tools. The teams earned prize money based on
scores assigned by a panel of subject matter experts from NASA,
academia and industry.
As NASA advances deep space exploration, reliable life-supporting
habitats will be essential. But creating a structure on the surface of
Mars is an extraordinary challenge considering the extensive limits on
transporting materials and the differences in atmosphere and landscape.
The 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge aims to further the progression of
sustainable shelters that will someday occupy the Moon, Mars or beyond
by pushing citizen inventors to develop new technologies capable of
additively manufacturing a habitat using indigenous resources with, or
without, recyclable materials.
The challenge, which began in 2014, is structured in phases:
Phase 1, the Design Competition, required teams to submit
architectural renderings and was completed in 2015. ($50,000
prize purse)
Phase 2, the Structural Member Competition, focused on
material technologies, requiring teams to create structural
components. It was completed in 2017. ($1.1 million prize
purse)
Phase 3 (current), the On-Site Habitat Competition,
challenges competitors to fabricate sub-scale habitats, and has
five levels of competition--three construction levels and two
virtual levels. For the virtual levels, teams must use Building
Information Modeling software to design a habitat that combines
allowances for both the structure and systems it must contain.
The construction levels challenge the teams to autonomously 3D-
print elements of the habitat, culminating with a one-third-
scale printed habitat for the final level. ($2 million prize
purse)
The 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge is managed through a partnership
with NASA's Centennial Challenges program and Bradley
University. Bradley has partnered with sponsors Caterpillar,
Bechtel and Brick & Mortar Ventures to administer the
competition. NASA's Centennial Challenges program is part of
the Agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate, and is
managed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville,
Alabama.
Gateway. The Orbital Gateway will certainly be an important
component in deep space exploration, but there is still some
uncertainty about its specific functions.
Question 1. How is the Orbital Gateway specifically being designed
to enable future exploration of Mars? For example, will it serve to
address major technology needs like long-term life support, will it
provide infrastructure for communication and in situ resource
utilization at Mars? Or will it function more to service missions to
the Moon?
Answer. Sustainability will be a key component of our future
exploration. Together with the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion, the
Gateway is central to advancing human space exploration goals in a
sustainable manner. Gateway is the unifying single stepping off point
in our architecture for human cislunar operations, lunar surface access
and missions to Mars. The Gateway is necessary to achieving the
ambitious exploration campaign goals set forth by Space Policy
Directive 1.
The Gateway to the Moon and beyond will give us a strategic
presence in cislunar space that will drive our activity with commercial
and international partners and help us further explore the Moon and its
resources and leverage that experience toward human missions to Mars.
We also will begin to build the in-space infrastructure for long-term
exploration and development of the Moon by delivering to lunar orbit a
power and propulsion element as the foundation of the Gateway. In-space
power and propulsion and deep space habitation are central to future
human exploration. Development and deployment of these capabilities
will be a focus of the early-to-mid 2020s, leading to crewed missions
beyond the Earth-Moon system, including to the Mars system.
NASA is pursuing a new campaign in Advanced Cislunar and Surface
Capabilities (ACSC) that will once again establish U.S. preeminence to,
around, and on the Moon. Working in parallel with scientific lunar
exploration, and in addition to the initial flights of the SLS, Orion,
and the elements of the Gateway, NASA is planning to develop a series
of progressively greater robotic lunar missions to the surface of the
Moon. This will also serve as a foundational training ground to prepare
for later missions to Mars.
Question 2. What timeline is expected or necessary for development
of the Gateway to support the exploration of Mars?
Answer. NASA plans to launch the first element of the Gateway--its
power and propulsion module--in 2022, with completion of the Gateway by
2025.
Technology Development. One of the reasons given for pursuing bold
exploration missions is that the technology developed to enable the
mission transfers to the commercial sector and improve the everyday
lives of people right here on Earth.
Question. In prioritizing putting humans on Mars, what sorts of
unique technologies will be developed that might benefit everyday life
that would not be realized if we concentrate only on additional work in
low Earth orbit or other missions to the Moon?
Answer. NASA's FY 2019 budget request focuses investments in
research and technologies applicable to deep-space exploration,
prioritizing environmental control and life support; power and
propulsion; advanced materials; communications; navigation and
avionics, robotic assembly and manufacturing; entry, descent and
landing; autonomous systems and enabling humans to live and work in the
space. As you know, technology drives exploration, both human and
robotic, and helps us solve problems in space and on Earth. It lays the
groundwork for our future missions and addresses many needs, including
how we'll live in space and how we'll get there, and will support the
growing U.S. commercial space industry. NASA will focus on applications
of technology toward deep space exploration and innovative ways to
further our goals from concept to testing and flight.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Bill Nelson to
Salvatore T. ``Tory'' Bruno
Question 1. The 2017 NASA transition bill required NASA to define a
plan for reaching Mars, including ``interim missions and
destinations.'' This plan is more than seven months late. Does industry
understand how NASA plans to get to Mars and what role industry will
play? From an industry perspective, how important is it for NASA to
have a step-by-step plan for reaching Mars versus a more flexible
approach?
Answer. ULA understands the supporting role we will play in sending
humans to Mars--by providing transportation for scientific missions
that will precede humans to learn as much as we can in support of human
missions; by supporting the initial flights of SLS with the Interim
Cryogenic Propulsion System; and by ensuring a stable industrial base
for our Nation's flagship programs.
Currently NASA is maintaining a great deal of flexibility.
Flexibility is a good thing, but a plan will be critical to success.
The most valuable resource for a mission of this magnitude is human
capital, and if your workforce does not believe you are on a clear path
with stable funding, they may start to move elsewhere and put the
mission at risk.
Question 2. The administration has proposed a new lunar exploration
program, including a space station in lunar orbit and a series of lunar
landers, progressing to a human-rated lander in the late 2020s. What
direction should Congress provide to ensure lunar exploration missions
most effectively advance a human Mars mission?
Answer. Congress must work with the Administration to ensure that
any government-driven requirements for lunar surface operations be
designed in a way that can also be applicable to future operations on
the Martian surface. Additionally, continued program and funding
stability will be critical to ensuring delays do not drive a stake
between our lunar and Martian exploration plans.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Gary Peters to
Salvatore T. ``Tory'' Bruno
International Cooperation. The U.S. will likely not be alone in our
quest to put humans on Mars. With more potential international partners
now growing space programs than ever before, putting together a
coordinated effort will be challenging. As administrations change, so
do our priorities in space, making it difficult for our potential
partners to be assured of long-term plans.
Question. What sort of plans or agreements would be helpful in
building a coordinated international coalition for a mission to Mars?
Answer. International partners will be necessary to reach Mars, and
because the United States will lead, these partnerships will further
strengthen our geopolitical standing. Having said that, it is important
that we use caution when relying on other nations for any system on the
critical path, as the political will to support space exploration in
those countries can wane. Additionally, we must ensure we are
protecting our own industrial base, particularly in launch, by taking
advantage of the systems in which our Nation has invested billions. It
is important that NASA-funded payloads and missions launch on U.S.
rockets from American soil, and that we encourage our international
partners to leverage our launch and exploration capabilities wherever
possible.
Additionally, the U.S. has and will continue to set the
international norms for safety, mission assurance and cooperative
standards, so we need to continue to be mindful that our actions often
set precedent for the international community. With that in mind, NASA
must prioritize safety and mission assurance throughout its mission
planning, procurement and operations.
Sample Return. A recent article published in the journal Science
announced the discovery of organic molecules in ancient Martian rocks.
These were the results of data coming from the Curiosity rover. Just
think how much more could be realized with in-depth studies in
laboratories here on Earth. The Decadal Survey for Planetary Science
covering 2013 to 2023 states the start of a sample return mission from
Mars should be the highest priority mission for NASA. Yet we still have
no firm commitment to the Mars Sample Return mission in the FY19
budget.
Question 1. When will we need a commitment or specific plans for
sample return to maintain leadership in this area?
Answer. The United States remains the only nation to have
successfully landed on the Martian surface. I would point out that all
of those missions flew on Atlas, Delta, or their heritage rockets. We
are not in any immediate risk of ceding U.S. leadership in this area.
Having said that, a credible plan sooner rather than later would
benefit scientific research and help shape requirements on any sample
return that can benefit future human exploration of the surface.
Question 2. Should we prioritize a multi-mission effort targeting
the return of large Martian samples to Earth sooner rather than later,
or would this be to the detriment of getting humans on Mars?
Answer. I believe it is possible for NASA to conduct multiple Mars
sample return missions without negatively affecting our efforts to put
humans on Mars. In fact, these missions will provide information
critical to keeping our astronauts safe while they live and work on the
surface of Mars.
Manufacturing in Space. The infrastructure build out needed for a
human mission to Mars, especially for when our astronauts reach Martian
soil is a complex and complicated challenge. NASA has worked with
America Makes--the Manufacturing USA institute focused on additive
manufacturing--to hold a competition for 3D printing of habitats using
indigenous materials. An alternate approach to indigenous materials
would be to pre-place materials and equipment on Mars, but that may
take some technology development for landing of heavy payloads.
Question. What do you think is the most likely solution for
manufacturing on Mars and how much is being invested in this area right
now?
Answer. Today we are seeing increased commercial interest in in-
space manufacturing, particularly in CisLunar space. In fact, ULA is
working with NASA and others in industry to provide the launch services
necessary to facilitate these activities. Translating what we learn
about in-space manufacturing to our operations on Mars will help us
reduce the cost of getting supplies to the Martian surface. Having said
that, there will be materials, supplies, and hardware that are just too
complex to manufacture on the surface. That is where the capability
provided by SLS and Orion will be critical, by providing large-scale
transportation services to the surface. Smaller, EELV-class rockets
such as Atlas V, Delta IV, and Vulcan can be used to send smaller
packages in advance of a human landing as well.
Gateway. The Orbital Gateway will certainly be an important
component in deep space exploration, but there is still some
uncertainty about its specific functions.
Question 1. How is the Orbital Gateway specifically being designed
to enable future exploration of Mars? For example, will it serve to
address major technology needs like long-term life support, will it
provide infrastructure for communication and in situ resource
utilization at Mars? Or will it function more to service missions to
the Moon?
Answer. I defer specific questions on Orbital Gateway architecture
to NASA. Broadly speaking, I believe it is possible to utilize the
Gateway for deep space (such as Mars exploration missions) as well as
help facilitate human landings on the lunar surface and commercial
missions in CisLunar space, the latter being the types of missions ULA
is already leading on.
Question 2. What timeline is expected or necessary for development
of the Gateway to support the exploration of Mars?
Answer. I defer to NASA on the timeline for the Gateway.
Technology Development. One of the reasons given for pursuing bold
exploration missions is that the technology developed to enable the
mission transfers to the commercial sector and improve the everyday
lives of people right here on Earth.
Question. In prioritizing putting humans on Mars, what sorts of
unique technologies will be developed that might benefit everyday life
that would not be realized if we concentrate only on additional work in
low Earth orbit or other missions to the Moon?
Answer. We may not yet know what those technologies will look like,
but our experience shows us that advancements in space lead to improved
quality of life here on Earth. Ultra-lightweight materials will be
necessary to maximize the load astronauts will be able to take with
them to Mars. Additionally, as my colleague Dr. Newman stated in her
testimony, medical, biological and genetic advancements will be
necessary as well, particularly when it comes to combatting radiation
both in space and on the surface of Mars.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Gary Peters to
Chris Carberry
International Cooperation. The U.S. will likely not be alone in our
quest to put humans on Mars. With more potential international partners
now growing space programs than ever before, putting together a
coordinated effort will be challenging. As administrations change, so
do our priorities in space, making it difficult for our potential
partners to be assured of long-term plans.
Question. What sort of plans or agreements would be helpful in
building a coordinated international coalition for a mission to Mars?
Answer. The United States needs to make a clear and unequivocal
commitment to send humans to Mars within the next two decades. Our
international partners have repeatedly looked to the United States for
leadership, but due to our indecisiveness they have not been confident
that the U.S. will fully follow through with the goals (particularly
Mars) that we have advocated. The U.S. should engage the ISS
partnership and start planning collaborative missions to deep space.
With a clear goal, a specific timeline, and meaningful ways in which
our partners can contribute to these missions, we can begin a new long-
term international partnership that leads us to Mars.
Sample Return. A recent article published in the journal Science
announced the discovery of organic molecules in ancient Martian rocks.
These were the results of data coming from the Curiosity rover. Just
think how much more could be realized with in-depth studies in
laboratories here on Earth. The Decadal Survey for Planetary Science
covering 2013 to 2023 states the start of a sample return mission from
Mars should be the highest priority mission for NASA. Yet we still have
no firm commitment to the Mars Sample Return mission in the FY19
budget.
Question 1. When will we need a commitment or specific plans for
sample return to maintain leadership in this area?
Answer. Sample return is the first priority of the Planetary
Science Decadal Survey--and is an extremely important precursor mission
in our efforts to advance human exploration. A commitment should be
made within the next year to assure that the mission can fly in the
mid-2020s. As suggested in the Mars Achievability and Sustainability
Workshops (https://www.exploremars.org/affording-mars), NASA and its
partners should consider a `heavy' sample return mission that will not
only bring back a significant amount of Martian samples, but will also
serve as a preliminary test of Entry, Descent, and Landing techniques
and other vital technologies.
Question 2. Should we prioritize a multi-mission effort targeting
the return of large Martian samples to Earth sooner rather than later,
or would this be to the detriment of getting humans on Mars?
Answer. While Mars Sample Return (MSR) is an important precursor
before sending humans to Mars, it should serve to feed forward and/or
accelerate human missions and must not result in delaying human
missions. As mentioned above, if this mission can be consolidated into
an approach that brings back large amounts of samples and advances
important capabilities required for human landings, we could accomplish
multiple priorities simultaneously. If MSR is divided into multiple
missions, these missions should be designed in a way to satisfy
multiple requirements for human missions [such as bolster
communications, perform In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) tests,
provide reconnaissance, etc.].
Manufacturing in Space. The infrastructure build out needed for a
human mission to Mars, especially for when our astronauts reach Martian
soil is a complex and complicated challenge. NASA has worked with
America Makes--the Manufacturing USA institute focused on additive
manufacturing--to hold a competition for 3D printing of habitats using
indigenous materials. An alternate approach to indigenous materials
would be to pre-place materials and equipment on Mars, but that may
take some technology development for landing of heavy payloads.
Question. What do you think is the most likely solution for
manufacturing on Mars and how much is being invested in this area right
now?
Answer. Because we can not be certain of the availability of
resources in a specific location until we actually go there, the first
missions on Mars should not rely on these technologies, but if
possible, initial experimentation should be undertaken to test the
viability of utilizing indigenous resources. If initial tests are
successful, we expect that future missions will build greater and
greater reliance on in-situ resources. Also, in addition to
technologies like the 3D printing technologies mentioned above, we will
need to learn how to utilize the soil for other potential building
materials (bricks) and to grow crops. Utilization of the water and the
CO2 atmosphere will also be essential in the manufacturing
of oxygen, methane fuel, and of course water that is consumable, but
can be used in other processes as well.
Gateway. The Orbital Gateway will certainly be an important
component in deep space exploration, but there is still some
uncertainty about its specific functions.
Question 1. How is the Orbital Gateway specifically being designed
to enable future exploration of Mars? For example, will it serve to
address major technology needs like long-term life support, will it
provide infrastructure for communication and in situ resource
utilization at Mars? Or will it function more to service missions to
the Moon?
Answer. The Gateway must be designed and utilized in a manner that
advances critical capabilities/technologies needed for Mars. It must
not, however, in an era of limited budgets, be treated as a new
destination or replacement for the ISS. It must therefore not be larger
than needed to serve as support infrastructure for missions to Mars.
While we hope that this facility can also be used to stimulate
international and commercial lunar activities, more design work needs
to be done to assure that this facility will an asset to human Mars
exploration and not a hindrance.
Question 2. What timeline is expected or necessary for development
of the Gateway to support the exploration of Mars?
Answer. This depends on our target date for human landings on Mars.
If we are still committed to sending humans to Mars by the early to
mid-2030s (which Explore Mars, Inc. has supported for many years and
Congress in the NASA Authorization Act of 2017 fully supported), the
Gateway should be operational by 2023-2025.
Technology Development. One of the reasons given for pursuing bold
exploration missions is that the technology developed to enable the
mission transfers to the commercial sector and improve the everyday
lives of people right here on Earth.
Question. In prioritizing putting humans on Mars, what sorts of
unique technologies will be developed that might benefit everyday life
that would not be realized if we concentrate only on additional work in
low Earth orbit or other missions to the Moon?
Answer. While it is difficult to predict the precise benefits of
future space missions, we know from past experience that benefits from
our space program improve life on Earth in substantial and profound
ways. Mars is unique in that it provides the most promising environment
to fully advance these capabilities. For example, in order to establish
a long-term presence on Mars, we will need to learn how to perfect
agriculture on that planet--probably utilizing Martian soil. Learning
to grow crops in this comparatively arid (and potentially toxic) soil
should result in untold benefits to Earth agriculture. Water
extraction, purification, and conservation techniques will also be
vital on Mars and can benefit Earth. In contrast, due to the proximity
of the Moon to the Earth, astronauts in the vicinity of the Moon will
be able to be resupplied from Earth. On Mars, however, astronauts will
need to utilize technologies and capabilities that are self-sufficient,
including advanced 3D printing, more advanced life support and
environmental controls, and other systems. New technologies for deep
space communications that are necessary for Mars could also prove to
provide substantial benefits to people back on Earth.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Bill Nelson to
Dr. Dava J. Newman
Question. The administration has proposed a new lunar exploration
program, including a space station in lunar orbit and a series of lunar
landers, progressing to a human-rated lander in the late 2020s. What
direction should Congress provide to ensure lunar exploration missions
most effectively advance a human Mars mission?
Answer. Phase II of NASA's three phase plan to get humans to Mars
in the 2030s is a necessary and logical next step, now known as the
`Lunar Gateway'. Investments in deep space should focus on technology
advancements necessary for putting humans on Mars, which include heavy
lift launch capability, solar electric propulsion (for cargo), smart
space habitats (including autonomy and mobility), advanced life support
and space suit systems, and radiation protection. However, there should
be no lunar/Gateway `dead-end element' investments, meaning
technologies that do not further both lunar and Mars exploration.
Sending astronauts into deep space and to the lunar surface is valuable
to test all the relevant systems, further explore the lunar surface,
adopt new ConOps (scientific and exploration concept of operations),
and to investigate astronaut performance for long-duration (>1 year)
are all essential aspects of human exploration.
As long as we keep our focus on the horizon goal--boots on Mars--
and do not overcommit human exploration resources solely to return
humans to the lunar surface again, using cis-lunar space to develop the
needed infrastructure like the lunar orbital platform gateway are
prudent investments. But let's remember that the lunar programs should
be in service, an actual stepping stone rather than an anchor, to human
missions to Mars. The Moon is an interim destination, not the end goal.
With constrained budgets, we cannot afford to solely fund lunar orbital
and surface missions without making sure NASA has a balanced
exploration portfolio including low earth orbit, deep space (lunar),
and Mars. Congress should keep a close eye on NASA's deep space mission
progress and apply pressure and provide sufficient funding to keep NASA
focused on Mars. I support the Sense of Congress in the 2017 NASA
Authorization Act to develop a human exploration roadmap.
In our MIT-authored American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS)
report, ``The Future of Human Space Flight: Objectives and Policy
Implications in a Global Context'' (D. Mindell, et al., 2009, pp. 59-
62) we discussed the pros and cons of going to the Moon in service to a
human Mars mission. I find the fundamental concepts to remain true:
``If the Nation's goal is to proceed quickly to Mars, NASA should plan
for a more minimalist campaign on the Moon using systems that are to
the maximum extent designed for human Mars missions.'' NASA has not
demonstrated a `minimalist' approach in any human spaceflight endeavor
(e.g., Apollo, Space Shuttle, ISS, SLS) thus far, therefore, innovative
organizational structures/functions, revolutionary technology, and
public-private partnerships, and novel international partnerships are
all necessary for a robust, integrated human-scientific-technology
driven exploration roadmap (Wood and Newman, IAC, 2016).
From NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-to-return-humans-to-
the-Moon
NASA Moon to Mars overview: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/Moon-to-
mars/overview
Mindell, D.A., Uebelhart, S.A., Siddiqi, A.A., and Gerovitch, S.
``The Future of Human Space Flight: Objectives and Policy Implications
in a Global Context'', AAAS, 2009, pp. 59-62, https://www.amacad.org/
publications/spaceFuture.pdf
Wood, D. and Newman, D. ``The Innovation Landscape within a Large
Government Agency: Promising Practices from the U.S. National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'', International
Astronautical Congress, Guadalajara, Mexico, Sept. 2016.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Gary Peters to
Dr. Dava J. Newman
International Cooperation. The U.S. will likely not be alone in our
quest to put humans on Mars. With more potential international partners
now growing space programs than ever before, putting together a
coordinated effort will be challenging. As administrations change, so
do our priorities in space, making it difficult for our potential
partners to be assured of long-term plans.
Question. What sort of plans or agreements would be helpful in
building a coordinated international coalition for a mission to Mars?
Answer. Getting humans on Mars is an ambitious goal and it will
require global cooperation, especially on the timeline I envision. I
believe that the U.S. and NASA should be a leader in such a coalition,
but our most impactful journey to Mars requires that we capitalize on
the strengths of our international partners. Effective collaboration
and partnering means prioritizing and negotiating the most efficient
and effective distribution of responsibility for every major element of
the mission to Mars from launch, through orbit, to landing, surface
stays, to ascent and return to Earth. Scientists and engineers are used
to this type of global collaboration--at NASA especially, which has
more than 700 active international agreements with over 120 nations
bringing a multitude of benefits to NASA, the U.S. and all
international partners.
The mission's technology and scientific needs should drive the
strategy, although, we have to be simultaneously sensitive to
international politics and global competitiveness in any such
agreement. I believe the best example of `soft diplomacy' between the
USA and Russia is the International Space Station and our close
cooperation in human spaceflight between the U.S. and Russia since
Apollo-Soyuz, over 40 years ago. The majority of NASA's international
partnerships are with 8 countries, namely, France, Germany, ESA
(European Space Agency--23 nations), Japan, United Kingdom, Italy,
Canada, and Russia. We can learn from the International Space Station.
The ISS is a model of success in global cooperation. With five main
space agency partners and about 100 countries using the ISS, we already
have a blueprint for successful international space partnerships.
Likewise, the Mars 2020 Rover is a collaborative effort with
instrumentation from the U.S. as well as several international partners
providing scientific instruments.
By taking a leading role in such partnerships, and implementing a
`distributed leadership model' our Nation will glean the benefits of
working on and developing new technologies in pursuit of the mission,
including but not limited to high-skilled workforce development,
inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals, and economic
development through technology transfer spinoffs. At the same time, the
U.S. must give sufficient leadership and partnership opportunities to
our international partners for their respective contributions if we
hope to realize significant global cooperation in space science and
exploration missions.
As you noted, when administrations change it can be challenging to
maintain priorities and stay the course, which is why we need Congress
to keep the U.S. focused on Mars as the horizon goal for human
spaceflight, informed by career staff at NASA with technical expertise.
I support the sense of Congress in the 2017 NASA Authorization Act to
develop a human exploration roadmap that would include a plan for
international partnerships to accelerate the journey to Mars, which
should necessarily include significant contributions from partners for
lunar missions, capabilities and infrastructure. To achieve the goal of
putting humans on Mars, Congress must provide resources commensurate
with expectations.
Further discussion on global partnerships for a human mission to
Mars are noted in our AAAS report on pp. 64-66., ``Although the balance
between cooperation and competition with other nations in human
spaceflight remains dependent on larger foreign policy issues, human
spaceflight provides an effective diplomatic tool for the United States
to use to further the primary objective of global leadership.''
NASA Office of Interagency and International Relations, https://
www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/oiir_international_tag.pdf
Mindell, D.A., Uebelhart, S.A., Siddiqi, A.A., and Gerovitch, S.
``The Future of Human Space Flight: Objectives and Policy Implications
in a Global Context'', AAAS, 2009, pp. 64-66. https://www.amacad.org/
publications/spaceFuture.pdf
Dr. Dava Newman, speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, Oct.
2016: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/
161006_newman_final_cfr.pdf pg 5
Sample Return. A recent article published in the journal Science
announced the discovery of organic molecules in ancient Martian rocks.
These were the results of data coming from the Curiosity rover. Just
think how much more could be realized with in-depth studies in
laboratories here on Earth. The Decadal Survey for Planetary Science
covering 2013 to 2023 states the start of a sample return mission from
Mars should be the highest priority mission for NASA. Yet we still have
no firm commitment to the Mars Sample Return mission in the FY19
budget.
Question 1. When will we need a commitment or specific plans for
sample return to maintain leadership in this area?
Answer. We need specific plans and a commitment for a sample return
in the 2020s as soon as possible. Several other countries (ESA, China,
possibly Russia, India, and UAE) are looking to develop Mars sample
return missions. So far, they have not developed past the study phase.
All are interested in partnering with NASA and the US.
Question 2. Should we prioritize a multi-mission effort targeting
the return of large Martian samples to Earth sooner rather than later,
or would this be to the detriment of getting humans on Mars?
Answer. There are always trade-offs within the constrained NASA
budget. Among many competing priorities, you have to make tough
choices. I agree that sample return has great scientific potential and
should be a high priority. I also recommend an integrated Mars Program
Office, which combines resources and expertise from the now separate
SMD, HEOMD, and STMD. Additionally, Mars sample return could provide
information that would benefit and perhaps accelerate the mission to
put humans on Mars, such as development of the Mars Ascent Vehicle
(MAV). Development of MAV would likely serve as a smaller test bed for
developing a larger ascent vehicle needed for human missions, i.e.,
returning humans to space from the surface of Mars. It is also possible
that what we learn about the soil on Mars through MSR will inform our
manufacturing, food production, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU)
strategies for human missions.
Manufacturing in Space. The infrastructure build out needed for a
human mission to Mars, especially for when our astronauts reach Martian
soil is a complex and complicated challenge. NASA has worked with
America Makes--the Manufacturing USA institute focused on additive
manufacturing--to hold a competition for 3D printing of habitats using
indigenous materials. An alternate approach to indigenous materials
would be to pre-place materials and equipment on Mars, but that may
take some technology development for landing of heavy payloads.
Question. What do you think is the most likely solution for
manufacturing on Mars and how much is being invested in this area right
now?
Answer. On Mars, we will need a ``maker'' to manufacture a lot of
the materials for life support and exploration. I give my MIT students
the challenge to ``make the maker on Mars''--a true replicator
capability from indigenous resources coupled with what we can manage to
ship to Mars. We will be extremely weight limited on our journey to
Mars. All successful exploration throughout human history teaches us
that `living off the land/ocean' is an essential capability.
Unsuccessful exploration teaches us the opposite, that you can't bring
it all with us.
In any case, we must develop the capabilities of landing much
heavier payloads on Mars than we ever have in the past. We currently
know how to land one or two metric tons on Mars, but it will be
necessary to land 10 to 20 metric tons needed for a human mission to
the Red Planet, regardless of the manufacturing capabilities we can
reap from Martian resources. My numbers of 10-20 metric tons are much
less than NASA's current estimates of 20-40 metric tons for a human
mission, however, I believe that advances in manufacturing, ISRU, and
incorporating flexibility and modularity in to engineering systems
design allows for a realistic reduction in payload and mission mass.
To answer your question, I believe we will need both heavy-payload
landing technologies and on-site manufacturing on Mars. I do not have
specific numbers on the current NASA investments in deep space
manufacturing, but the numbers are very small/minimum for the low
technology readiness level (TRL) investments, well below what they
should be for an adequate technology investment strategy and portfolio.
I also recommend that NASA should team and partner with the substantial
advanced manufacturing efforts that the DOD and NSF are currently
funding.
Dr. Dava Newman, speech at the World Economic Forum, Aug. 2016:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM4iLPWl5zc
Gateway. The Orbital Gateway will certainly be an important
component in deep space exploration, but there is still some
uncertainty about its specific functions.
Question 1. How is the Orbital Gateway specifically being designed
to enable future exploration of Mars? For example, will it serve to
address major technology needs like long-term life support, will it
provide infrastructure for communication and in situ resource
utilization at Mars? Or will it function more to service missions to
the Moon?
Answer. Phase II of NASA's three phase plan to get humans to Mars
in the 2030s is a necessary and logical next step, now known as the
`Lunar Gateway'. I share your concern that the Orbital Gateway is not
currently focused on critical technology innovation and needs, such as
advanced long-term, autonomous life support systems, advanced state-of-
the-art communications (i.e., laser COMM), and ISRU testbeds and
demonstrations for Mars. Investments in deep space should focus on
technology advancements necessary for putting humans on Mars, which
include heavy lift launch capability, solar electric propulsion (for
cargo), smart space habitats (including autonomy and mobility),
advanced life support and space suit systems, and radiation protection.
There should be no lunar/Gateway `dead-end element' investments,
meaning existing habitat and life support system technologies that `do
not closed the loop' and that do not further both lunar and Mars
exploration. Sending astronauts into deep space and to the lunar
surface is valuable to test all the relevant systems, further explore
the lunar surface, adopt new ConOps (scientific and exploration concept
of operations), and to investigate astronaut performance for long-
duration (>1 year) are all essential aspects of human exploration.
I do not have specific insights into the functionality of the Lunar
Orbital Platform Gateway, since it was proposed after my tenure at
NASA, but I can say that we will need some type of infrastructure as a
test bed for long term life support systems and other technologies we
have yet to fully develop. It is important that Congress maintain
pressure on such cis-lunar missions to keep the focus on the
technological breakthroughs necessary to succeed in future human
missions to Mars utilizing advanced technologies. At the same time,
Congress should provide resources that match expectations to avoid
asking too much of NASA with too little means.
In our MIT-authored American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS)
report, ``The Future of Human Space Flight: Objectives and Policy
Implications in a Global Context'' (D. Mindell, et al., 2009, pp. 59-
62) we discussed the pros and cons of going to the Moon in service to a
human Mars mission. I find the fundamental concepts to remain true:
``If the Nation's goal is to proceed quickly to Mars, NASA should plan
for a more minimalist campaign on the Moon using systems that are to
the maximum extent designed for human Mars missions.'' NASA has not
demonstrated a `minimalist' approach in any human spaceflight endeavor
(e.g., Apollo, Space Shuttle, ISS, SLS) thus far, therefore, innovative
organizational structures/functions, revolutionary technology, and
public-private partnerships, and novel international partnerships are
all necessary for a robust, integrated human-scientific-technology
driven exploration roadmap (Wood and Newman, IAC, 2016).
Mindell, D.A., Uebelhart, S.A., Siddiqi, A.A., and Gerovitch, S.
``The Future of Human Space Flight: Objectives and Policy Implications
in a Global Context'', AAAS, 2009, pp. 59-62, https://www.amacad.org/
publications/spaceFuture.pdf
Wood, D. and Newman, D. ``The Innovation Landscape within a Large
Government Agency: Promising Practices from the U.S. National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'', International
Astronautical Congress, Guadalajara, Mexico, Sept. 2016.
Question 2. What timeline is expected or necessary for development
of the Gateway to support the exploration of Mars?
Answer. The 2030s are in our immediate future when it comes to
spaceflight systems and qualification, so we must proceed urgently with
haste to meet our goal of human missions to Mars within that decade.
According to NASA, they plan to ``develop the Lunar Orbital Platform-
Gateway that emplaces a power-propulsion (communications) element (PPE)
around the Moon by 2022.'' This is one of the first steps needed to
establish the lunar orbiting platform for future astronauts to depart
to and return from Mars. Many steps are needed between this milestone,
targeted for 2022, and putting people on Mars in the 2030s, so there is
no time to waste. I believe that ``constancy of purpose'' must be
exercised and implemented from leadership on down.
NASA https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars/overview
Technology Development. One of the reasons given for pursuing bold
exploration missions is that the technology developed to enable the
mission transfers to the commercial sector and improve the everyday
lives of people right here on Earth.
Question. In prioritizing putting humans on Mars, what sorts of
unique technologies will be developed that might benefit everyday life
that would not be realized if we concentrate only on additional work in
low Earth orbit or other missions to the Moon?
Answer. Advanced life support systems, space suits, mobility
systems, and advanced autonomy immediately come to mind and will
undoubtedly have spinoffs for human health on Earth. Already we are
seeing potential applications of the space suits we have designed that
could act as soft exoskeletons for patients with muscular-skeletal
diseases. My tunable joint stiffness patents designed for astronauts
spending months and years in space could provide extra relief and maybe
even technological solutions to mobility issues in the elderly and
humans crippled by disease or accidents on Earth. Of the hundreds of
NASA spin-off technologies per year, water filtration technology and
portable, hand-held ultrasound are two of my favorite ISS technology
spin-offs.
Fully autonomous spacecraft, habitats, and systems needed for Mars,
will require new technologies to entirely close the air loops and water
loops so that all the resources on the spacecraft are fully recycled.
These environmental closed life support systems (ECLSS) recycling
technologies have important applications for water conservation on
Earth, energy-efficient indoor air quality systems in buildings, and
human survival in extreme environments on Earth or in special
circumstances like extended tours on submarines etc. I also cite
advanced materials, wearable sensors, and novel actuators needed for
human travel to Mars as having dual use applications for products back
on Earth.
Some of the technology spinoffs are not predictable. Many of NASA's
past spinoffs spur from technologies that were not expected to have an
application for everyday life on Earth, yet they consistently deliver
such outcomes. More examples can be found at: https://
spinoff.nasa.gov/.
Holschuh, B., Obropta, E., Newman, D.J., ``Low Spring Index NiTi
Coil Actuators for Use in Active Compression Garments, IEEE/ASME
Transactions on Mechatronics, 10.1109-TMECH.2014.2328519, 25 June 2014.
1264-1277.
Melo, P., Silva, M., Martins, J., and Newman, D.J., ``Technical
Developments of Functional Electrical Stimulation to Correct Drop Foot:
Sensing, Actuation and Control Strategies'', Journal of Clinical
Biomechanics, Vol. 30(2): 101-113.
P. L. Melo, M. T. Silva, J. M. Martins, D. J. Newman, A
Microcontroller Platform For The Rapid Prototyping of FES-based Gait
Neuroprostheses, Artif Organs, Vol. 39, Issue 5, E56-66, May 2015.
A. Anderson, D. Newman, Pressure Sensing for In-Suit Measurement of
Space Suited Biomechanics, Acta Astronautica, 115 (2015) 8.
A. Anderson, Y. Menguc, R. Wood, D. Newman, Development of the
Polipo Pressure Sensing System for Dynamic Space-Suited Motion, IEEE
Sensors Journal, Vol. 15(11):6229-6237, 2015.
B Holschuh, D Newman, Morphing Compression Garments for Space
Medicine and Extravehicular Activity Using Active Materials, Aerospace
Medicine and Human Performance, 87 (2), 84-92.
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