Dan McCleese

1
Session 1 Robotic Mars Exploration Program
Science Goals ObjectivesScience Program
Investigation Strategy

• Dan McCleese
• Chief Scientist, Mars Exploration Program

2
Topics
Goals, Objectives Strategic Plans
Discoveries Drive Future Mars Program
3
Mars Science Strategy
4
Mars Science Strategy
5
Mars Science Strategy
6
Mars Science Strategy
7
Mars Science Strategy
8
Mars Science Strategy
9
Mars Science Strategy
10
Mars Science Strategy
11
Scientists Create and Execute Investigations

• Science community has been central to planning
  and executing of scientific exploration of Mars.
• All scientific investigations are selected by
  NASA through an open, competitive process.
• Thus, the scientific content of Mars exploration
  is determined by the payloads and teams NASA
  selects.
• Achieving alignment between NASA program goals
  and achievable investigations has required
  engaging working scientists in planning.
• The Mars Scout program extends NASAs competitive
  selection of payloads to entire missions
• Adds flexibility and breadth to robotic
  exploration program.

12
Senior Review of Mars Program Plans

• Scientific Advisory Committees Recommend
• COMPLEX (Committee on Planetary and Lunar
  Exploration) (1996)
• Comprehensive goal of understanding Mars as
  possible abode of past or present life
• Comprehensive study of planets atmosphere (inc
  upper), soil, rocks, and interior
• Sample return and sample handling and Enhanced
  mobility
• Flexibility and adaptability to respond to
  scientific and technological opportunities
• NRC New Frontiers in the Solar System (2002)
• Mars as a potential abode of life
• Water, atmosphere, and climate on Mars
• Structure and evolution of Mars
• Mars Scouts
• Mars Science Laboratory -- roving up to 10 km,
  Series of Mars Sample Returns, Upper Atmosphere
  Orbiter, and Mars Long-lived Lander Network
• SScAC/ SSES (1996 present)
• Mars RA program
• Mars Science Laboratory technology development
• Scout Missions broad range
• MEPAGs role in developing roadmap (2001)
• Investigation pathways valid and broaden
  maintain flexibility
• Administration (OMB) Guidance

13
Mars Exploration
Viking
Post Viking questions focused on evolution of
surface, interior and climate -- history and
processes of water were especially
perplexing. Mars Observer begins second phase of
Mars Exploration with global view.
14
Mars Exploration
Viking
Three missions recover science lost with Mars
Observer. Failure of Mars Observer coincides
with advent of Faster, Better, Cheaper within
NASA. Pathfinder adds exploration tool of surface
access. Focus of investigations is Follow the
Water.
15
Mars Exploration
Viking
Martian Poles are known reservoirs of water-ice
in present climate. Modern climate maybe proxy
for past climates. Mars Surveyor Program
initiates launch of two missions at each launch
opportunity.
16
Mars Exploration
Viking
Complexity of history of water on Mars is
revealed by MGS, motivating surface
investigations of MGS identified water signatures
and ground truth. Failures of 1998 MCO and MPL
missions encourages more conservative
implementation strategies and slower program pace.
17
Mars Exploration
Viking
Mars Express (ESA) putatively detects and maps
methane (biogenic/abiogenic sources possible),
and maps planet in new spectral and spatial
domains. Europe enters Mars exploration with a
significant mission.
18
Mars Exploration
Viking
Odyssey maps near-surface water-ice, confirms
polar surface ice, and maps mid-latitude and
equator hydrated minerals. Phoenix is first
PI-led Mars Scout mission.
19
Mars Exploration
Viking
Discovery of a habitable environment motivates
study of the nature and inventory of organic
carbon compounds and the building blocks of life
(C, H, N, O, P, S). Mars Science Laboratory
initiates Next Decade of Mars Exploration.
20
Mars Exploration Next Decade

• Believing scientific exploration of Mars should
  be discovery-driven, the Mars Program created
  Investigation Pathways
• - Illustrates program options
• Exposes mission options
• Identifies long-lead technology requirements.

21
National Vision for Space Exploration Future
Direction of Robotic Mars Exploration?

• Components of future Mars program
• Investigation Pathways for scientific
  exploration.
• Human precursor test bed program for mitigation
  of human hazards.
• Preparation for in situ resource utilization
• Emplacement of infrastructure for humans.

22
Mars Exploration Investigation Pathways
23
Mars Exploration Pathways 2009 - 2020
Lines of Scientific Enquiry
Pathway
Science from First Decade missions plus Sample
Return confirms ancient Mars was wet and warm
(for extended period(s) of time)
Search for Evidence of Past Life
Exploration in First Decade discovers
hydrothermal deposits (active or fossil)
Explore Hydrothermal Habitats
Commits to search for present life at sites
determined to be modern habitats (hydrothermal or
polar) by First Decade missions. Mobile MSR is
most reliable, validatable method of detecting
life.
Search for Present Life
Science of First Decade of Mars exploration does
not find evidence of past or present liquid water
environments (at least long-lived) Revise
current understanding of planetary evolution
Explore Evolution of Mars
24
Next Decade PathwaySearch for Evidence of Past
Life
25
Next Decade PathwaySearch for Evidence of Past
Life
26
Next Decade PathwaySearch for Evidence of Past
Life
27
Next Decade PathwaySearch for Evidence of Past
Life
28
Next Decade PathwaySearch for Evidence of Past
Life
29
Next Decade PathwayExplore Hydrothermal Habitats
30
Next Decade PathwaySearch for Present Life
31
Next Decade PathwayExplore Evolution of Mars
32
Robotic Precursors for Human Missions Potential
for support from robotic missions 2010-2030

• Human missions dependent on In situ resource
  utilization (ISRU)
• Dependence on water
• Locate water resources globally
• Orbital radar (2 in current program)
• Surface seismic network
• Surface ground penetrating radar
• Ground truth is essential
• Inventory water
• Chemical (hydrated minerals ) and physical (ice
  and liquid) surface and sub-surface reservoirs
• Access via drilling on surface (1 to 100 M) and
  open-pit mining
• Assay for yield
• Test and demonstrate processing of water-laden
  materials
• Demonstrate collection and transportation
  (possibly 1000s km distant from human habitat)
• Establishing surface infrastructure for human
  explorers
• Power and power distribution
• Mechanical deployments
• Habitats assembly and test

33
Developing ISRU for Human Exploration(JPL
Advanced Studies Group, 10/11/2004)
2005
2010
2015
2020

Atmosphere Acquisition Accessible Water S/E
System Maturation Cryo Storage RWGS
Development SOE Development End-to-End ISRU
Syst Human Exploration Mission Design, System
Engineering, and Technology coordination
Source Options
1/5 scale
Characterize
1/20 scale
Find
1/20 rate, 1/200 capacity

Process Options
Down-select
1/5 rate, 1/40 capacity
Decision point Water or no-water ISRU
process Final ISRU Plan
ISRU Develop-ment Plan
Conceptual mission architectures Precursor
definition
Preliminary mission architectures
Upgraded mission architectures
Lab development
Flight development
Analysis/Studies
Flight validation
Lab or Analysis Result
34
Is Searching for Life on Mars a Risk to Human
Explorers?

• Living Martian organisms could present a hazard
  to astronauts and to Earth upon their return
• Presence of living life forms must be known prior
  to sending humans.
• Or
• Habitats, suits and surface operations protocols
  must assume indigenous organisms are present.
• Highest level of planetary protection (forward
  and back) in human missions could be extremely
  difficult and costly.
• Paradox
• Human explorers may dedicate their early missions
  to the search for present life.
• But
• Robotic missions may be required to prove that no
  living organisms exist before humans land on
  Mars.
• Human missions may be best employed in the search
  for extinct life.

35
Summary

• Question How might robotic Mars exploration
  respond to President Bushs announcement of the
  VISION?
• Answer Options are numerous mitigating risks to
  humans supporting ISRU inventories and
  demonstrations infrastructure emplacement and
  scientifically rich exploration.
• 2009 2020
• Investigation Pathways include
• Environmental hazard assessment and mitigation
• ISRU resource searches and inventories
• Search for life supports biohazard mitigation and
  advancement of science goals for humans
• Test-bed missions
• 2011 2030
• Architectural decisions needed for ISRU and
  infrastructure dependencies
• Preparation of outposts by robotics