National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Innovation Research & Technology Transfer 2004 Program Solicitations
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9.1.4 EXPLORATION SYSTEMS
With the announcement of the Vision for U.S. Space Exploration in January 2004, NASA has formed a new Exploration Systems Enterprise that is charged with the development of systems to be used in the exploration of the Moon, Mars, and other destinations. The Exploration Systems Enterprise is responsible for developing and demonstrating the strategies and systems that will allow human and advanced robotic exploration of other worlds through the use of innovative approaches, new vehicles, and breakthrough technologies. Consistent with the National Space Exploration Policy, the NASA Strategic Plan, and the Vision for Space Exploration, the Exploration Systems Enterprise will:
Support Research at Key Research Destinations: The development of exploration strategies, systems, and technologies will be guided by requirements for conducting research at key destinations in the search for habitable environments and life. These destinations include, but are not limited to, the Moon, Mars, the moons of Jupiter and other outer planets, and deep space telescopes that will search for planets outside our solar system.
Enable Sustainable Exploration: Exploration architectures and vehicles will be developed with the goal of enabling sustainable, affordable, and flexible exploration of the solar system.
Employ Humans and Robots: Exploration Systems will design architectures and missions that use humans and robots in partnership, using the capabilities of each where most useful.
Use the Moon as a Testing Ground for Mars and Beyond: The Exploration Systems Enterprise, working with the Lunar Exploration and Mars Exploration Themes, will use robotic and human missions to further science, and to develop and test new approaches, technologies, and systems, including the use of lunar and other space resources, to support sustained human space exploration of Mars and other destinations.
The Exploration Systems Enterprise is guided by a philosophy that ensures that operators and technologists work together to enable the usage of technology research and development. Technology will be matured prior to development through performance demonstration.
X1.01 In Situ Manufacturing
X1.02 In Situ Resource Excavation and Separation
X1.03 In Situ Resource Processing and Refining
X2.01 Photovoltaic Solar Power Generation
X2.02 Nuclear Power Generation
X2.03 Wireless Power Transmission
X2.04 Cryogenic Propellant Depots
X2.05 Power Management for Space Utilities
X2.06 Thermal Materials and Management
X2.07 Space Environmental Effects
X2.08 Energy Conversion Technologies
X3.01 Extravehicular Activity Systems
X3.02 Habitats, Habitability, and Human Factors
X4.01 In-Space Assembly and Construction
X4.02 Self-Assembling Systems
X4.03 Inspection and Diagnostics
X4.04 Servicing, Maintenance, and Repair
X5.01 Mobile Surface Systems
X5.02 Virtual Exploration
X6.01 Earth-to-Orbit Propulsion
X6.02 Vehicle Airframe Structures
X6.03 Atmospheric Maneuver and Precision Landing
X6.04 Vehicle Subsystems
X6.05 In-Space Propulsion (Chemical and Thermal)
X6.06 In-Space Propulsion (Electric and Magnetic)
X6.07 In-Space Propulsion (Nuclear)
X6.08 Launch Infrastructure and Operations
X6.09 Space Transportation Test Requirements and Instrumentation
X7.01 Radio Frequency (RF) Telecommunications Systems
X7.02 Intelligent Onboard Systems
X7.03 Mission Training Systems
X7.04 Human Surface Systems Electronics and Communications
X8.01 Technology-Systems Analysis and Infrastructure Modeling
X8.02 Design Technologies for Entry Vehicles
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