Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
ENGINEERING COLLOQUIUM
Monday, May 14, 2007 / 3:30 PM, Building 3 Auditorium
Rob Landis
"Beyond the Earth-Moon System: A Piloted Flight to a Near-Earth Asteroid"
ABSTRACT -- The notion of a piloted mission to a near-Earth object (NEO) was first discussed and analyzed in depth as part of the Space Exploration Initiative in 1989. Since then, four other studies have examined the details of sending humans to NEOs. The most recent assessment has been undertaken by the Advanced Projects Office (APO) of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD). The assessment team includes representatives across NASA and is examining the feasibility of sending a Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), the Orion spacecraft, to a NEO. Depending on the suite of spacecraft and integrated components, a mission profile would include two or three astronauts on a 90 to 120 day spaceflight; including a 7 to 14-day stay at the NEO itself.
This additional incremental step along the way towards Mars would be humanity’s first foray beyond the Earth-Moon system. This talk will present the background and review the potential of Human NEO missions and the technology opportunities and challenges.
SPEAKER -- Mr. Landis has worked on a number of NASA missions including the Hubble Space Telescope (STScI); the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (GSFC); the Cassini-Huygens mission to the Saturn and its Moons; led uplink operations for the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity (JPL); and, more recently a flight controller for the International Space Station (JSC). While still with the Mission Operations Directorate at JSC, he is part of a larger study out of ESMD for additional potential uses for the Constellation being developed for the Moon.