Human Exploration and Development of Space 1: Space Exploration

Explore the Space Frontier

Other Information:

NASA is working to establish safe, self-sustaining systems enabling humans to live and work independent from Earth for extended periods in space, and in the long-term, on other planets and their moons. NASA is establishing the interdisciplinary knowledge base needed for safe, effective, and afford able robotic and human exploration. The Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) Enterprise will utilize Biological and Physical Research Enterprise research in biology, physics, and materials necessary to reduce threats to human health from space radiation, low gravity, and the psychological effects of isolation and remoteness from Earth. Working with the Space Science Enterprise, HEDS will obtain data needed to design future space vehicles and infrastructures, including information on the space environment in general and on the resources, environment, and weather of potential landing sites. NASA plans to establish continuing robotic operations at key sites (“outposts”) to acquire data and conduct experiments before human explorers arrive. Other key strategies for exploration include a continuing emphasis on technological innovation to reduce mission costs and cooperation with industry to identify aspects of missions having commercial potential. NASA will work with industry and other partners including international space agencies to develop affordable mission technologies. In the long term, HEDS envisions human-robotic missions with international partners to outposts beyond low-Earth orbit. NEAR TERM PLANS: - Obtain key data for human mission design decisions from collaboration with robotic science missions - Identify and evaluate candidate approaches for 100- to 1000-day human missions capable of a 5- to 10-fold cost reduction * — while increasing safety and effectiveness - Develop and validate competing technologies for human missions beyond Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) in cooperation with other Agencies, international partners, and U.S. industry* compared with 1990’s studies

Objective(s):

1: High-Leverage Technologies

2: Space Station Research

3: Robotic Missions

4: Innovative Approaches

5: Partnerships

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