As I discussed in my previous post, NASA has laid out a three-stage plan for developing the technology and systems necessary to carry us to Mars, humanity’s first step toward becoming a space-faring species.
Stage 2 of NASA’s plan is called “The Proving Ground.” In the Proving Ground, NASA will learn to conduct complex operations in a deep space environment, mostly in the region near the moon, called “cislunar.” Experiments near the moon still allow crews to return to Earth in a matter of days. In cislunar space, NASA will advance and validate capabilities required for human exploration of Mars.
Stage 2 includes a series of Exploration Missions (EMs), starting with EM-1, the first integrated test of the SLS and Orion ships, anticipated in 2018. In 2020, the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission will collect a large boulder from a near-Earth asteroid, then ferry it to the Proving Ground, and the Asteroid Redirect Crew Mission will allow astronauts to investigate and sample the asteroid boulder.
NASA also plans an initial deep-space habitation facility for long-duration systems testing to allow autonomous operations, including rendezvous, docking and state of the art information technology solutions. The agency will also study concepts to minimize resupply needs through reduction, reuse, and recycling of consumables, packaging, and materials.
Other key operational capabilities required to become Earth Independent will also be identified and developed during Stage 2.
I won’t live long enough to see humans achieve travel beyond our own solar system, unless some alien race decides to give us a boost. But if NASA manages to stay on schedule with its plan for manned travel to Mars, I just might hold out that long.
I can’t wait to see the first transmissions from the Mars habitat.
