NASA Advisory Council Space Operations Committee July 10, 2008 Glenn Research Center

1. NASA Advisory Council Space Operations Committee July 10, 2008 Glenn Research Center

2. Col. Eileen Collins, Chair Dr. Pat Condon Dr. Tom Jones Dr. David Longnecker Adm. Benjamin Montoya Jacob Keaton, Executive Secretary, NASA Space Operations Committee

3. Orbital Sciences Site Visit (Tom Jones) 3 July 2008 Chariot Lunar Rover - Johnson Space Center (Eileen Collins & Tom Jones) 5 May 2008 Reconfigurable Operational Cockpit (ROC) - JSC (Collins & Jones) 5 May 2008 Activities Since Last NAC Meeting

4. Orbital Sciences Corps. Visit • Space Ops committee (Jones) – COTS/Orbital Sciences Corp. visit July 3, 2008 • NASA chose Orbital as COTS demonstrator w/ SpaceX • common service module carries 3 cargo module versions • demo mission by Dec 2010 • Wallops Flight Facility launch • demo will use unpressurized module • berthing after prox ops • return cargo is future capability

5. Orbital Sciences Corps. Visit Taurus II – proposed launcher for COTS modules • based on smaller launchers • 3-stage: liquid, solid, storable • 1st stage tanks – Ukraine • dual LOX/RP AJ26 engines (NK33) • ~ 40 m x 4 m, 300,000 kg • similar to Delta II • Orbital has Wallops experience • growth 2nd stage possible

6. Orbital Sciences Corps. Visit Orbital is lead subcontractor for Orion Launch Abort System • 2 secs of 500,000 lb thrust • 15 g’s during peak thrust • ~ 13 m tall, ~ 15k lb. mass • reverse flow nozzles • 8-jet control motor • jettison motor • full-scale abort test, Mar 09 • Orion mass growth has increased system requirements and cost

7. Chariot Lunar Rover

8. On May 5, 2008, we visited the JSC Engineering Directorate to observe a “dry run” of the “Chariot” lunar rover “Chariot” is the mobile chassis test bed to define desirable rover features for future human exploration of the lunar surface Chariot Lunar Rover

9. We visited the low fidelity mockup of the pressurized rover (reference Mike Gernhardt’s Stennis briefing) We “drove” this pressurized rover on the simulated Lunar surface We visited the “B-Dome” simulator, which is capable of both Shuttle and Lunar surface simulations Offers excellent training opportunities for Orion approach and docking to the International Space Station, as well as lunar orbit and surface operations We discussed the pros and cons of building an actual lunar landing trainer vs simulator-only training Reconfigurable Operational Cockpit Facility

10. EVA Suit Contract Selection Results Lunar Capabilities Concept Review Orion Human-in-the-Loop Test Plan Advanced Capabilities Engagement with Lunar Science Institute National Research Council Decadal Survey of Life and Microgravity Sciences Radiation Hazard Protection and Risk Mitigation Strategic Issues Briefings Attended at GRC

11. Suit fit is an issue Gloves, internal bladders, joints a concern Comfort NAC fact finding: Orion couch/palette design Custom couches vs standard couches Observation: consider hosting former spacewalkers (Apollo & Shuttle), suit designers, the NASA suit program manager, and current astronauts for a roundtable on EVA suit issues Constellation Suit Development (with the NAC Exploration Committee)

12. No HITL vacuum tested will be conducted Astronaut Office is satisfied with human/vacuum test plan Test plan appears sound based on briefing Orion Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) Test Plan (with the NAC Exploration Committee) NASA Advisory Council Space Operations Committee July 10, 2008 12

13. Space Ops Committee participated in the Radiation briefings Update on decadal physical and biological systems decadal study Review of radiation safety planning for exploration missions Crew safety radiation standards (R. Williams, CHMO) Probabilistic Risk Assessment (F. Cucinotta, HRP) Acute Radiation Sickness (M. Vazquez, NSBRI) Incorporating radiation protection in Orion design (N. Zapp, Orion) Finding: Progress is being made in the area of radiation safety, but major uncertainties remain for exploration-class missions, including extended lunar habitation. The biological effects of deep space radiation (GCR and SPE) are not well characterized, and these uncertainties prevent appropriately precise and valid probabilistic risk assessments. Much additional work by a wider community or radiation biologists will be required to resolve these uncertainties. Biomedical / Radiation (with the NAC Exploration Committee)

14. Potential briefings on: ISS National Lab progress and issues ISS Six person crew transportation plan Lunar communications/navigation development (Deep Space Network, with Science Committee) Fact finding on: Request Soyuz Descent Module/Propulsion Module latching issue periodic updates Examine KSC launch facility transition from Shuttle to Ares 1 and Ares 5 Examine the Orion fault tolerance design approach Planning for October 2008 Meeting

15. Potential visits to: JSC: ISS computer lab (upgrade) JSC: Orion displays COTS (aka CRS - Commercial Resupply Services) program: continue to follow Planning for October 2008 Meeting