NASA Low-Earth Privatization, Low-Moon Simulations, Mars Spaceflights

Summary: Priorities of low-earth privatization, low-moon simulations and Mars spaceflights drive NASA's planned exit from International Space Station missions.

Low-Earth privatization: NASA astronaut Dale Allan Gardner holds up "For Sale" for two communication satellites, Indonesia's Palapa B-2 and Western Union's Westar VI, retrieved in November 1984 by Gardner and astronaut Joseph Percival Allen (reflected in Gardner's helmet visor): NASA, Public Domain, via NASA Great Images in NASA (GRIN)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration anticipates abandoning the International Space Station for low-Earth privatization, low-moon simulations and Mars spaceflights, according to meetings Dec. 1, to Dec. 3, 2015, in Houston, Texas.

The three-phase journey to Mars and the transition from space agency into research and development organization bear upon the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) decision.

The announcement comes from William Gerstenmaier, NASA chief of human spaceflight, in the aftermath of NASA Advisory Council meetings at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

NASA draws advice, guidance and recommendations from three external independent advisory committees: Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, National Academies’ Space Studies Board and NASA Advisory Council.

The December meeting emphasizes exploration and spaceflights.

Deadlines of moving from the ISS to cislunar space within the moon’s orbit no earlier than 2024 and no later than 2028 fit timelines for Mars.

The NASA report, Journey to Mars, of September 2015 gives three phases toward reaching the Red Planet, beginning with an Earth-reliant, International Space Station (ISS) stage. Stage one handles performance and technology questions concerning communications, environmental control, extravehicular operations, human behavior and health, life support, material flammability, on-site resources and 3-D printing. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden indicates that microgravity research can be continued by such private sector space companies as SpaceX that currently ferry supplies to the ISS.

Mr. Bolden judges tax incentives as encouraging private companies to fill NASA’s exit.

The second phase in the NASA report concerning 21st-century human spaceflights to Mars keeps operations in the space between the Earth and the Blue Planet’s moon.

The second phase, known as the proving ground stage between Earth and moon, lists Exploration Missions testing of Orion and the Space Launch System for 2018. The report mentions for 2020 an Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission to collect, and ferry to cislunar space, one substantial boulder from one of the near-Earth asteroids. It notes controlling space junk; honing rendezvous and docking procedures; and minimizing operational expenses and supply needs through reducing, reusing and recycling consumables, materials and packaging.

Phase two operates a deep-space habitation and long-durations systems-testing facility near the moon.

Phase three, which is known as the Earth Independent stage, promotes the exploration and the exploitation of the moons, the surfaces and the vicinity of Mars.

The third phase qualifies as Mars reliant, in contrast to the earlier Earth and moon dependent intervals, because of the duration and the location of resources. It relies upon advanced communications systems for receiving and relaying data; reliable creation of building materials, fuels, oxygen and water; and life-sustaining habitats, surfaces and transits. Because schedules presume low-Earth privatization, low-moon simulations and Mars spaceflights, Mr. Gerstenmaier states that “We’re going to get out of ISS as quickly as we can.”

It turns out that low-Earth stations, low-moon simulations, and Mars-destined spaceflights overburden NASA.

International Space Station, May 23, 2010: NASA/Crew of STS-132, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

low-Earth privatization: NASA, Public Domain, via NASA Great Images in NASA (GRIN) @ https://archive.org/details/GPN-2000-001036

International Space Station, May 23, 2010: NASA/Crew of STS-132, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:International_Space_Station_after_undocking_of_STS-132.jpg

For further information:

Moon, Mariella. 9 October 2015. "NASA details its plans to reach and explore the red planet." Engadget.
Available @ https://www.engadget.com/2015/10/09/nasa-journey-to-mars/

Moon, Mariella. 13 August 2015. "NASA fires up engine that will take the SLS to Mars." Engadget.
Available @ http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/13/space-launch-system-test-video/

Moon, Mariella. 8 December 2015. "NASA plans to 'move out' of ISS on its way to the Moon." Engadget.
Available @ http://wap.engadget.com/2015/12/08/nasa-plans-to-move-out-of-the-iss-on-its-way-to-the-moon/

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. September 2015. NASA’s Journey to Mars: Pioneering Next Steps in Space Exploration. Washington, D.C.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Available @ http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/journey-to-mars-next-steps-20151008_508.pdf