20240827_Appendix R_Industry Day.pdf

Nate McIntyre Partnerships Lead / Master of Ceremonies

Strategy and Architecture Office Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

August 27, 2024

Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies Industry Day

Welcome and Agenda

Agenda W elcom e & Agenda

Topic Speaker Time

Welcome and Agenda Nate McIntyre Partnerships, Master of Ceremonies Strategy and Architecture Office

5 mins

Contracting Logistics Russellyn Hart Contracting Officer NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

10 mins

Moon to Mars Architecture Overview Nujoud Merancy Deputy Associate Administrator Strategy and Architecture Office

20 mins

Artemis Campaign Updates Steve Creech Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator (Technical) Moon to Mars Program Office

20 mins

Lunar Logistics and Mobility Systems Zaida Hernandez Lunar Mobility, Robotics, and Logistics Systems Strategy and Architecture Office

20 mins

Industry Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Doug Craig / Zaida Hernandez Strategy and Architecture Office

20 mins

Purpose elcom e & Agenda

• Provide latest overview of:

o NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture o NASA’s Artemis Campaign o The Lunar Surface Logistics and Mobility Systems

• Introduce NextSTEP-2 Appendix R: "Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies"

• Context and goals of solicitation

• Contract structure

• Procurement schedule

• Request Industry review and comment on draft Request for Proposals (RFP)

Summary and Links to Draft RFP are available here:

Russellyn Hart Contracting Officer

NASA Headquarters Contracting Office NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

August 27, 2024

Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies Industry Day

Contracting Logistics

Points of Contact elcom e & Agenda

Technical Lead

Zaida Hernandez zaida.y.hernandez@nasa.gov NASA’s Johnson Space Center

2101 NASA Parkway Houston, TX 77058

Contracting Officer

Russellyn Hart russellyn.hart-1@nasa.gov NASA’s Goddard Space Flight

Center 8800 Greenbelt Road Greenbelt, MD 20771

All questions (Procurement or Technical) should be directed to the appropriate NextSTEP-2 Appendix R Points-of-Contact

Interested parties are reminded that all programmatic updates will be communicated via the NextSTEP-2 Appendix R webpage on SAM.gov mailto:zaida.y.hernandez@nasa.gov mailto:russellyn.hart-1@nasa.gov

Industry Forum Ground Rules elcom e & Agenda

• NASA will not provide evaluations, opinions, or recommendations regarding any suggested approaches or concepts

• This forum is being recorded for purposes of capturing questions and answers

• NASA will entertain questions in real-time to clarify forum processes or chart content only o Participants may submit process or clarifying questions by raising your “hand” in the Webex webinar and/or enter your question using the WebEx Q&A Panel function

• Detailed procurement or technical questions must be submitted in writing o All procurement questions must be addressed to the Appendix R Contracting Officer russellyn.hart-1@nasa.gov o All technical questions must be addressed to the Appendix R Technical Lead zaida.y.hernandez@nasa.gov o All questions must be submitted no later than 5pm EDT, 30 August 2024 o All questions (without attribution) and answers will be posted to the Appendix R webpage on SAM.gov

• Following this forum, NASA will post briefing slides and an industry Attendance List for partnering purposes

• To NOT be included on the Attendance List, notify russellyn.hart-1@nasa.gov no later than 5pm EDT, 30 August 2024 mailto:russellyn.hart-1@nasa.gov mailto:zaida.y.hernandez@nasa.gov https://sam.gov/opp/0bc24cb06143494bb08b72821d43bbb8/view

Nujoud Merancy Deputy Associate Administrator

Strategy and Architecture Office Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

August 27, 2024

Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies Industry Day

Moon to Mars Architecture

NASA’s

Why We Explore…

Investigations in deep space, on the Moon, and on Mars will enhance our understanding of the universe and our place in it.

What is done, how it's accomplished, and who participates affect our world, quality of life, and humanity’s future.

Accepting audacious challenges motivates current and future generations to contribute to our voyage deeper into space.

Architecture O verview

Moon to Mars Objectives

Moon to Mars Objectives • September 20221

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

MOON TO MARS

OBJECTIVES

SEPTEMBER 2022

NASA’s Moon to Mars Objectives document a systems engineering approach to crewed deep space exploration.

In contrast to a capabilities-based approach, an objectives-based approach focuses on the big picture, the “what” and “why,” before prescribing the “how.”

The methodology for the Moon to Mars Objectives is guided by five inter-related principles:

Objectives-based Approach Constancy of Purpose

Enhanced Communication and Engagement Unity of Purpose

Architect from the Right Execute from the Left

Architecture O

Architecture Approach

An Evolutionary Architecture Process Formulating an Architecture and Exploration Strategy Based on Objectives

PRODUCT REVIEW

PRODUCT

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW

ANNUAL CYCLE TO MATURE ARCHITECTURE

REVISED

ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE

CONCEPT

REVIEW

ARCHITECTURE

CONFIRMATION ARCHITECTURE DEFINITION

DOCUMENT EXPANSION

REFINED/EXPANDED

ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE

CONCEPT

REVIEW

ARCHITECTURE

DEFINITION DOCUMENT

MOON TO MARS

OBJECTIVES

Architecture O verview

PROCESS & PRODUCTS

Clear communication and review integration paths for stakeholders

ARCHITECTURE FRAMEWORK

Organizational construct to ensure system/element relationships are understood and gaps can be identified

TRACEABILITY

Decomposition of Blueprint

Objectives to executing Architecture elements

Architecting from the Right Architecture O

Decomposition of Objectives

The process of “architecting from the right” decomposes Moon to Mars Objectives into element functions and mission use cases.

This establishes the relationship of executing programs and projects to the driving goals and objectives.

Architecture: The unified structure that defines a system, providing rules, guidelines, and constraints for constituent parts and establishing how they fit and work together.

Characteristics and Needs: Features, activities, and capabilities necessary to satisfy goals and objectives.

Use Case: An operation that would be executed to meet desired characteristics and needs.

Function: One of the actions necessary to satisfy a use case.

Defining Terms

Architecture O verview

Objectives Mapping Tables

Architecture Components

Sub-Architectures A group of tightly coupled elements, functions, and capabilities that work together to accomplish one or more objectives.

Elements A notional exploration system that enables a set of functions.

Segments A portion of the architecture that integrates sub-architectures and progressively increases in complexity and objective satisfaction.

Architecture O verview

Future Segments

Gateway

Extra-vehicular Robotics System

Crew and Science Airlock

Power and Propulsion

Element

Lunar View Module

International Habitat

Lunar Terrain Vehicle

Pressurized Rover

Human Landing System

Human-Class Delivery Lander

Blue Origin Mark 2 Cargo

SpaceX Starship

Blue Origin Blue Moon

SpaceX Starship

Canadian Space Agency European Space Agency

United Arab Emirates Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

In te rn at io na l Pa rt ne rs hi ps

Space Launch System

Exploration Ground Systems

Orion Spacecraft

Gateway Logistics Element

Commercial Lunar Payload Services

Exploration EVA Systems

NSN / DSN

Near Space Network

Deep Space Network

LCRNS

Yearly Architecture Workshops 2025 workshops tentatively scheduled for February 11 to 13 in Washington, D.C.

https://socialforms.nasa.gov/Architecture-Updates

Architecture Workshops

Subscribe to Updates

2024 Industry and Academia Workshop National Academy of Sciences

2024 International Partner Workshop National Academy of Sciences

Architecture O

Stephen Creech Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator (Technical)

Moon to Mars Program Office Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

August 27, 2024

Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies Industry Day

Campaign Updates

Lorem Ipsum Artem is U pdates

Artemis I is U pdates

MISSION COMPLETE:

The Artemis I mission launched on November 16, 2022, and the Orion spacecraft successfully splashed down on December 11, 2022.

ARTEMIS FIRSTS:

• Integrated uncrewed flight test of the Space

Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft, and Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) at Kennedy Space Center

• Demonstration of Orion heatshield at lunar re-entry conditions

• Science activities via payloads in Orion and CubeSats deployed from SLS

NEW ELEMENTS:

• SLS rocket Block 1 configuration

• Orion crew spacecraft

• Mobile Launcher 1 and upgraded ground systems is U

Artemis II is U pdates

ARTEMIS FIRSTS:

• Crewed integrated flight test of the Space Launch System

(SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft, and Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) at KSC

• Active Orion Launch Abort System (LAS)

• Demonstration of Orion life support systems

• Proximity operations demonstrations

• Human data collection in transit to and from the Moon, in lunar orbit, and through reentry and splashdown

• Conducting new science and technology demonstrations in orbit

NEW ELEMENTS:

• Orion life support systems

• Launch Complex 39B emergency egress system for crew and new liquid hydrogen system

COMMON ELEMENTS:

• SLS rocket Block 1 configuration

• Orion crew spacecraft

• Mobile Launcher 1

ENSURING CREW SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY!

Artemis II Progress is U pdates

Artemis II SLS Core Stage arrives at Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building

Artemis II offline processing (center booster motor segments) in the rotational processing and surge facility

Artemis II SLS Core Stage is rolled out of Michoud Assembly Facility to a barge for transport to KSC

Integration of Crew and Service Modules for the Artemis II Orion Spacecraft The Artemis II crew practices procedures for stowing seats in Orion during training at JSC Mobile launcher 1 prepares for Artemis II Launch

Artemis III is U pdates

ARTEMIS FIRSTS:

• Human landing in South Pole region and return

• Orion to human landing system direct mission including crew docking activity

• Use of Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO)

• Four astronauts to lunar orbit

• Two astronauts to lunar surface to collect scientific samples and data

• Conducting new science and technology demonstrations

NEW ELEMENTS:

• Orion full up rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking systems

• Starship human landing system

• Advanced spacesuits and tools to explore the surface and collect samples

COMMON ELEMENTS:

• SLS rocket Block 1 configuration

• Orion crew spacecraft

• Mobile Launcher 1

Artemis III Progress is U pdates

June 6, 2024—Starship fourth integrated test flight. Credit:

SpaceX

The Joint Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program Test Team (JETT) test tools and spacesuits during JETT 5, a fully integrated simulated Artemis III mission

Artemis III LOX tank at Michoud Assembly Facility

European Service Module (ESM) 3 undergoing final propulsion testing in

Bremen, GermanyKSC’s Vehicle Assembly Building High Bay 2 vertical tooling progressing with first working platform installation in progress

Artemis III left-hand thrust vector control buildup in work in Booster

Fabrication Facility

Artemis III core stage boattail lift at Michoud Assembly Facility

NASA Astronauts put on spacesuits, developed by Axiom Space, to interact with and evaluate full-scale developmental hardware of SpaceX’s Starship HLS (Human

Landing System), marking the first-time astronauts in pressurized spacesuits interacted with a test version of Starship HLS hardware. Credit: SpaceX

Artemis IV is U pdates

ARTEMIS FIRSTS:

• Crewed mission to Gateway space station

• Launch, delivery, and integration of a space station module in lunar orbit

• Crew transfer from Orion to human landing system (HLS) via Gateway

• Deep Space Logistics flight to Gateway

NEW ELEMENTS:

• Space Launch System rocket Block 1B configuration Mobile Launcher 2 with supporting ground systems

• SpaceX Sustaining Starship HLS

• Gateway modules: Power and Propulsion Element and Habitation and

Logistics Outpost (pre-staged in orbit); International Habitat (launched on SLS Block 1B alongside the crew aboard Orion); Deep Space Logistics

COMMON ELEMENTS:

• Common SLS elements

• Orion crew spacecraft

• Spacesuits and support systems

• Conducting science and demonstrating technology in orbit and on the surface

Artemis IV Progress is U pdates

9Technicians at a Thales Alenia Space industrial plant in Turin, Italy, guide Gateway’s HALO module to its stress testing location.

Credit: Thales Alenia Space

First Xenon tank being installed in the PPE central cylinder. Credit: Maxar

Joint Human Landing System/Extravehicular Activity & Human Surface Mobility Programs, JTP/ITF, SpaceX/Axiom/NASA Airlock and Elevator

Human-in-the-Loop Test. Credit: SpaceX

Teams with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program and primary contractor, Bechtel National, Inc., move the base structure of mobile launcher 2 to a permanent mount structure

Artemis IV Crew Module Adapter at Kennedy Space Center’s Operations & Checkout building

Artemis IV EUS interstage panel for structural qualification article at Vertical Weld Center

Artemis IV payload adapter Nest EDU modal testing complete at MSFC Test Stand 4697

Artemis V is U pdates

ARTEMIS FIRSTS:

• Use of the lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) rover by crew to access more of the lunar surface and collect diverse scientific samples

• Use of second lunar lander design

• Use of new RS-25 engines

NEW ELEMENTS:

• Blue Moon human landing system

• LTV unpressurized rover with scientific instruments

• Gateway modules: ESPRIT Refueling Module (European

System Providing Refueling Infrastructure and Telecommunications), Canadarm3 robotic arm

COMMON ELEMENTS:

• Space Launch System rocket Block 1B configuration

• Orion crew spacecraft

• Mobile Launcher 2 with supporting ground systems

• Spacesuits and support systems

• Gateway space station and Deep Space Logistics

• Conducting science and demonstrating technology in orbit and on the surface

Artemis V Progress is U pdates

New Glenn Landing Legs Test. Credit: Blue Origin

BE-7 In-Space Engine for Blue Moon MK2 Lander. Credit: Blue Origin

RCS Thruster Testing. Credit: Blue Origin

RCS Thruster Manufacturing. Credit: Blue Origin

Artist's concept of Venturi Astrolab's FLEX lunar terrain vehicle. Credit: Astrolab

Artist's concept of Intuitive Machines’ Moon RACER lunar terrain vehicle. Credit: Intuitive

Machines

Artist's concept of Lunar Outpost's Lunar Dawn lunar terrain vehicle. Credit: Lunar Outpost is U

Zaida Hernandez Lunar Mobility, Robotics, and Logistics Systems

Strategy and Architecture Office Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

August 27, 2024

Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies Industry Day

Lunar Logistics & Mobility Systems

2024 Moon to Mars Architecture Concept Review 1

Moon to Mars Architecture

Introduction

Lunar Surface Cargo

The exploration of the lunar surface, as described in NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture Definition Document (ADD), will require a wide variety of landed systems, including scientific instruments, habitats, mobility systems, infrastructure, and more. Given diverse cargo needs of varying size, mass, cadence, and operational needs, access to a range of cargo lander capabilities offers strategic benefit.

While current cargo lander development activities will contribute to meeting some cargo delivery demands, a substantial gap in lander capability remains. This paper characterizes lunar surface cargo delivery needs, compares those needs with current cargo lander capabilities, and outlines strategic considerations for fulfilling this architectural capability gap.

Note: Cargo deliveries to Gateway are already instantiated in the Moon to Mars Architecture through the Gateway Logistics Element (GLE). GLE flights will supply Gateway with critical deliveries that maximize the length of crew stays on Gateway. While use of the Gateway as a logistics cache for lunar exploration could be considered, this paper does not attempt to speculate on concepts of operation. Instead, it specifically addresses architectural gaps for cargo deliveries to the lunar surface. The specific functions fulfilled by GLE may be found in Table 3-6 of ADD Revision A.[1]

Cargo Lander Architecture Lunar surface exploration will require the delivery of assets, equipment, and supplies to the lunar surface.[1] While some limited supplies and equipment may be delivered alongside crew on NASA’s Human Landing System (HLS), the breadth and scale of logistical needs for deep space exploration require additional surface cargo lander capabilities.

NASA has developed a conceptual reference mission for cargo lander delivery that will be added to the ADD in revision B. This reference mission:

• Delivers non-offloaded and/or offloaded cargo to the lunar surface.

• Provides all services necessary to maintain cargo from in-space transit through landing on the lunar surface until the cargo is either offloaded from the lander or in an operational state where these services from the lander are no longer needed, in accordance with cargo lander provider agreements.

• Ensures successful landing at an accessible and useable location on the lunar surface with sufficient precision.

• Establishes safe conditions on the lunar surface for the crew to approach the lander.

• Verifies health and functionality of non-offloaded and/or offloaded cargo.

• Performs any lander end-of-life operations — including potential relocation — ensuring that the cargo or other surface assets are not adversely affected by the lander after landing operations.

As noted above, cargo deliveries will need support service interfaces to ensure safe delivery of cargo to the surface. Service interfaces may support the offloading of cargo, compatibility to surface mobility system interactions, and/or providing resources to the cargo, such as power, communications, data, and/or thermal dissipation. Services may be needed from landing to until the cargo is fully operational, including before or after the cargo is offloaded to the surface.

Landers and cargo may also need additional, crew-focused lander interfaces such as extravehicular activity (EVA) touch interfaces to support crew interactions. Lastly, given potential crew interaction at or near a lander, landers must have the ability to safe itself after landing so that crew are protected while in a landers’ vicinity.

2024 Moon to Mars Architecture Concept Review 1

Moon to Mars Architecture

Introduction

Lunar Mobility Drivers and Needs

NASA’s new campaign of lunar exploration will see astronauts visiting sites of scientific or strategic interest across the lunar surface, with a particular focus on the lunar South Pole region.[1] After landing crew and cargo at these destinations, local mobility around landing sites will be key to movement of cargo, logistics, science payloads, and more to maximize exploration returns.

NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture Definition Document (ADD)[2] articulates the work needed to achieve the agency’s human lunar exploration objectives by decomposing needs into use cases and functions.

Ongoing analysis of lunar exploration needs reveals demands that will drive future concepts and elements.

Recent analysis of integrated surface operations has shown that the transportation of cargo on the surface from points of delivery to points of use will be particularly important. Exploration systems will often need to support deployment of cargo in close proximity to other surface infrastructure. This cargo can range from the crew logistics and consumables described in the 2023 “Lunar Logistics Drivers and Needs” white paper,[3] to science and technology demonstrations, to large-scale infrastructure that requires precision relocation.

The current defined mobility elements — the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) and Pressurized Rover (PR) — are primarily for crew transportation, with limited cargo mobility functions. Conversely, planned near-term robotic missions — such as those being delivered through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program — provide only small-scale mobility. This paper describes the integrated cargo mobility drivers for consideration in future architecture and system studies, with a focus on the human lunar exploration architecture. Scientific and uncrewed, robotic missions could necessitate additional mobility needs beyond those discussed here.

The cadence, mass, and number of cargo lander deliveries will be timed to meet the operational needs of NASA’s lunar architecture, based on factors including science objectives, lighting conditions, and safety considerations. In many cases, cargo offloading and manipulation will need to be conducted before the crew arrives at each landing location (point of origin) and then again at local lunar exploration and habitation sites (point of use). These exploration and habitation sites will likely be located away from each landing location. This would require mobility capabilities to transport cargo of varying size and mass for full utilization within the architecture.

Current capabilities planned for lunar surface operations are limited to transporting approximately 1,500 kg of cargo. However, fulfilling other key exploration objectives could require cargo of sizes and masses beyond of these planned capabilities, creating the need for additional mobility capabilities.

Mobility Needs One of the largest drivers of mobility needs on the lunar surface is moving cargo from its landing site to its point of use. Numerous factors drive cargo point of use, many of which necessitate separation from landing sites (e.g., darkness caused by a lander’s shadow, point of use contamination by landers, or blast ejecta from lander plume surface interactions). These relocation distances can include the following factors:

• Separation from lander shadowing (tens of meters)

• Lander blast ejecta constraints (>1,000 m) due either to separation between the lander and existing infrastructure or lander ascent

• Support for aggregation of elements in ideal habitation zones from available regional landing areas

(up to 5,000 m) For more insight into lunar lighting considerations, see the 2022 Moon to Mars Architecture “Lunar Site Selection” white paper.[4]

Moon to Mars Architecture White Papers Architecture Progress

• NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture defines the capabilities and elements needed for long-term, human-led scientific discovery in deep space

• Through detailed architectural assessments of lunar surface needs, capability gaps have been identified in

- Logistics Systems - elements that play a role in the containment and transportation of Logistics Items or Cargo, and

- Uncrewed Mobility Systems – elements capable of delivering items to their point of use

• Given the scope and scale of forward demand, NASA published multiple white papers to grow awareness across industry and the NASA stakeholder community, including

- Lunar Logistics Drivers and Needs (2023 White Paper)

- Lunar Surface Cargo (2024 White Paper)

- Lunar Mobility Drivers and Needs (2024 White Paper)

W hite Papers

SparesMaintenance ItemsConsumables

What Are Logistics?

Architecture Progress

W hite Papers

Logistics items are equipment and supplies needed to support sustainment of elements in the field and mission activities, and which are not part of a vehicle or element dry mass. Logistics may be sub-divided into the following categories:

Includes all commodities that support the conduct of mission activities (often related to mission crew needs) that are not related to a specific payload or research activity and does not include propellant. In some cases, this category also includes consumables driven by non-crew activities (e.g., air rates for air leakage rates, vestibule re-pressurizations).

Includes planned replacement hardware, and associated tools, for required replaceable system components that have known limited lifetimes and have a scheduled replacement plan.

Includes spares, and associated tools, which address corrective maintenance for unexpected/unplanned failures of systems’ hardware.

Packaging, Overhead, CarriersOutfitting

What Are Logistics? (continued) Architecture Progress

W hite Papers

Logistics items are equipment and supplies needed to support mission activities, and which are not part of a vehicle or element dry mass. Logistics may be sub-divided into the following categories:

Subsystem hardware or components that are flown after the initial module delivery for permanent installation or use is defined as outfitting.

Materials required to safely and effectively transport and store each of the logistics items. (This category does not include any spacecraft secondary structures required to house or contain logistics).

Lunar Surface Cargo Background Architecture Progress

• The architecture includes several surface cargo delivery or support functions, with some — but not all — needs current fulfilled by the Human Landing System (HLS), Human-class Delivery Lander (HDL), and Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS)

• Analysis leading to and supporting the small cargo lander mission concept review (MCR) also revealed implications across the architecture strategy (e.g., available/contracted cargo capacity today versus aggregated future cargo demand)

• NASA allocated 17 functions to lunar surface cargo delivery in ADD Rev-A:

o Nine identified as key; Eight identified as potential. (Potential reflects optional services that may be needed on some but not all landers.)

o The ability to deliver cargo to the lunar surface is critical to the architecture

Architecture functions are intentionally decoupled from performance or demand to enable system analysis and trades.

Key Potential Lunar Surface Cargo Delivery Functions X FN-018-L Transport cargo from Earth to the lunar surface X FN-088-L Provide precision landing for cargo transport to the lunar surface X FN-122-L Decommission surface delivery system(s) and/or surface asset(s) X FN-126-L Reduce blast ejecta X FN-141-L Deliver cargo(s) to distributed sites on the lunar surface X FN-256-L Provide physical and electronic safeguards for automated asset(s) operating near crew X FN-257-L Detect and avoid hazards during landing in darkness, high contrast, and long-shadowed lighting conditions in the presence of lunar dust and debris X FN-277-L Unload large utilization assets on the lunar surface X FN-280-L Deliver cargo(s) to south polar region sites on the lunar surface

X FN-066-L Transport cargo from Earth to the far side of the lunar surface X FN-123-L Provide propellant/fluid transfer through common interface(s) between assets on the lunar surface (demonstration) X FN-129-L Transfer of propellant/fluids between assets on the lunar surface (demonstration) X FN-139-L Deploy (including setup, activation, and operation) science and/or monitoring utilization payload(s) on the lunar surface X FN-144-L Transport large exploration asset(s) from Earth to the lunar surface X FN-148-L Perform robotic manipulation of payloads, logistics, and/or equipment at multiple scales X FN-254-L Provide safety features, including shutoff, on robotic and/or autonomous system(s) X FN-255-L Robotic system(s) interaction with logistics carriers on the lunar surface

W

Lunar Surface Cargo Capacity Estimates

Current capabilities beyond HDL are not available from 500 kg to 12,000 kg, for which significant demand exists.

Lander Type Mass Delivery Capability (t) Provider

CLPS - Current Task Orders 0.07 – 0.475 for existing task orders U.S.

HDL Cargo Lander 0 - 12 or 15 t U.S.

ESA Argonaut Lander Up to 2.1 t International

JAXA Cargo Lander Capability 3 - 4 t International

W

Lunar Mobility Drivers and Capacity

• Analysis leading to and supporting surface logistics, potential utility rover concepts, and initial surface habitation mission concept review (MCR) revealed implications across the architecture strategy:

Mobility Asset Mass Transport Capability (kg)

Lunar Roving Vehicle (Apollo) 490 kg

Lunar Terrain Vehicle (uncrewed capability)

800 kg (full performance) 1600 kg (reduced performance)

JAXA Pressurized Rover TBR

Mobility mass demand ranges are similar to those of landed cargo demand, but capabilities are not available for cargo or assets greater than 1,600 kg; No mobility assets exist that can relocate large elements (e.g., initial surface habitat)

W hite Papers o Functional gaps and services not yet available for mobility of large uncrewed assets o Relocation and surface placement demand o Technological gaps in performance for mobility assets o Integrated architectural strategic considerations

• Lunar surface mobility is allocated to 34 functions in ADD Rev-A

• Demand for mobility is driven by integrated architectural operations:

o Relocation out of lander shadows or engine blast range o Deployment to optimal solar points o Aggregation of logistics to point of use o Infrastructure deployment

Lunar Mobility Demand

Mobility payload mass demand forecasts range from 500 kg to 15,000 kg per asset during the Foundational Exploration segment

W

Lunar Mobility Range Demand

Integrated architecture operations will necessitate non-trivial relocation and aggregation range demand for cargo and assets.

• Assessment of range per asset deployed could be driven by multiple factors:

o Min relocation distance to avoid lander shadows >50m o Min relocation distance to avoid lander blast ejecta >1,000m o Relocation from potential lander sites to optimal/aggregate surface locations up to 5,000m

• Attempting multi-region mobility would require a capability of hundreds to thousands of kilometers

LTV Standard Road Traversal map (~4km)

W

2024 Moon to Mars Architecture Concept Review 1

Moon to Mars Architecture

Introduction

Lunar Mobility Drivers and Needs

NASA’s new campaign of lunar exploration will see astronauts visiting sites of scientific or strategic interest across the lunar surface, with a particular focus on the lunar South Pole region.[1] After landing crew and cargo at these destinations, local mobility around landing sites will be key to movement of cargo, logistics, science payloads, and more to maximize exploration returns.

NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture Definition Document (ADD)[2] articulates the work needed to achieve the agency’s human lunar exploration objectives by decomposing needs into use cases and functions.

Ongoing analysis of lunar exploration needs reveals demands that will drive future concepts and elements.

Recent analysis of integrated surface operations has shown that the transportation of cargo on the surface from points of delivery to points of use will be particularly important. Exploration systems will often need to support deployment of cargo in close proximity to other surface infrastructure. This cargo can range from the crew logistics and consumables described in the 2023 “Lunar Logistics Drivers and Needs” white paper,[3] to science and technology demonstrations, to large-scale infrastructure that requires precision relocation.

The current defined mobility elements — the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) and Pressurized Rover (PR) — are primarily for crew transportation, with limited cargo mobility functions. Conversely, planned near-term robotic missions — such as those being delivered through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program — provide only small-scale mobility. This paper describes the integrated cargo mobility drivers for consideration in future architecture and system studies, with a focus on the human lunar exploration architecture. Scientific and uncrewed, robotic missions could necessitate additional mobility needs beyond those discussed here.

The cadence, mass, and number of cargo lander deliveries will be timed to meet the operational needs of NASA’s lunar architecture, based on factors including science objectives, lighting conditions, and safety considerations. In many cases, cargo offloading and manipulation will need to be conducted before the crew arrives at each landing location (point of origin) and then again at local lunar exploration and habitation sites (point of use). These exploration and habitation sites will likely be located away from each landing location. This would require mobility capabilities to transport cargo of varying size and mass for full utilization within the architecture.

Current capabilities planned for lunar surface operations are limited to transporting approximately 1,500 kg of cargo. However, fulfilling other key exploration objectives could require cargo of sizes and masses beyond of these planned capabilities, creating the need for additional mobility capabilities.

Mobility Needs One of the largest drivers of mobility needs on the lunar surface is moving cargo from its landing site to its point of use. Numerous factors drive cargo point of use, many of which necessitate separation from landing sites (e.g., darkness caused by a lander’s shadow, point of use contamination by landers, or blast ejecta from lander plume surface interactions). These relocation distances can include the following factors:

• Separation from lander shadowing (tens of meters)

• Lander blast ejecta constraints (>1,000 m) due either to separation between the lander and existing infrastructure or lander ascent

• Support for aggregation of elements in ideal habitation zones from available regional landing areas

(up to 5,000 m) For more insight into lunar lighting considerations, see the 2022 Moon to Mars Architecture “Lunar Site Selection” white paper.[4]

White Paper Key Takeaways Architecture Progress

• Foundational Exploration and Sustained Lunar Exploration segment goals require significant transportation of cargo to the lunar surface

• NASA anticipates an aggregate demand for lunar surface cargo on the order of 2,000 to 10,000 kg per year

• To mitigate this capability gap, strategic considerations include engaging multiple providers across both international partners and industry over time, offering dissimilar redundancy

• Communication of cargo demand to the exploration community helps enable industry and international engagement

• Lunar exploration objectives require significant mobility of cargo and assets across the lunar surface from landing site to point of use at ranges of 5 to 5,000 m

• Currently, the surface mobility capability expressed in the architecture is limited to 800 kg.

However, future mobility demands include aggregated logistics and larger elements as massive as 12,000 kg or more

• Large-scale mobility is not simply scaled up small-scale mobility; energy and environmental considerations are crucial to the design process

• Interoperability and autonomous or semi-autonomous capabilities on mobility systems enable mission planning flexibility and increase available crew utilization time

Ke y

Ta ke aw ay s

W hite Papers

2024 Moon to Mars Architecture Concept Review 1

Moon to Mars Architecture

Introduction

Lunar Surface Cargo

The exploration of the lunar surface, as described in NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture Definition Document (ADD), will require a wide variety of landed systems, including scientific instruments, habitats, mobility systems, infrastructure, and more. Given diverse cargo needs of varying size, mass, cadence, and operational needs, access to a range of cargo lander capabilities offers strategic benefit.

While current cargo lander development activities will contribute to meeting some cargo delivery demands, a substantial gap in lander capability remains. This paper characterizes lunar surface cargo delivery needs, compares those needs with current cargo lander capabilities, and outlines strategic considerations for fulfilling this architectural capability gap.

Note: Cargo deliveries to Gateway are already instantiated in the Moon to Mars Architecture through the Gateway Logistics Element (GLE). GLE flights will supply Gateway with critical deliveries that maximize the length of crew stays on Gateway. While use of the Gateway as a logistics cache for lunar exploration could be considered, this paper does not attempt to speculate on concepts of operation. Instead, it specifically addresses architectural gaps for cargo deliveries to the lunar surface. The specific functions fulfilled by GLE may be found in Table 3-6 of ADD Revision A.[1]

Cargo Lander Architecture Lunar surface exploration will require the delivery of assets, equipment, and supplies to the lunar surface.[1] While some limited supplies and equipment may be delivered alongside crew on NASA’s Human Landing System (HLS), the breadth and scale of logistical needs for deep space exploration require additional surface cargo lander capabilities.

NASA has developed a conceptual reference mission for cargo lander delivery that will be added to the ADD in revision B. This reference mission:

• Delivers non-offloaded and/or offloaded cargo to the lunar surface.

• Provides all services necessary to maintain cargo from in-space transit through landing on the lunar surface until the cargo is either offloaded from the lander or in an operational state where these services from the lander are no longer needed, in accordance with cargo lander provider agreements.

• Ensures successful landing at an accessible and useable location on the lunar surface with sufficient precision.

• Establishes safe conditions on the lunar surface for the crew to approach the lander.

• Verifies health and functionality of non-offloaded and/or offloaded cargo.

• Performs any lander end-of-life operations — including potential relocation — ensuring that the cargo or other surface assets are not adversely affected by the lander after landing operations.

As noted above, cargo deliveries will need support service interfaces to ensure safe delivery of cargo to the surface. Service interfaces may support the offloading of cargo, compatibility to surface mobility system interactions, and/or providing resources to the cargo, such as power, communications, data, and/or thermal dissipation. Services may be needed from landing to until the cargo is fully operational, including before or after the cargo is offloaded to the surface.

Landers and cargo may also need additional, crew-focused lander interfaces such as extravehicular activity (EVA) touch interfaces to support crew interactions. Lastly, given potential crew interaction at or near a lander, landers must have the ability to safe itself after landing so that crew are protected while in a landers’ vicinity.

Doug Craig Technical and Contract Integration

Strategy and Architecture Office Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

August 27, 2024

Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies Industry Day

Broad Agency Announcement

Zaida Hernandez Lunar Mobility, Robotics, and Logistics Systems

Strategy and Architecture Office Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

Logistics and Mobility BAA BAA Inform ation

Lunar Surface Logistics and Uncrewed Mobility Systems Needs BAA

• This BAA Appendix allows Industry Partners the opportunity to define and mature, collaboratively with NASA, a sustainable and commercially viable concept and system architecture for lunar surface logistics operations and/or lunar surface uncrewed mobility systems.

• NASA will employ a study procurement approach for the Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies effort.

This BAA Request for Proposal is looking for proposals to address one or multiple Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs)

• Deliverable is a proposal to show how proposer will conduct the concept development study to support the products and schedule as identified in the Appendix

Acquisition Objectives ation

• Two gaps identified in the Artemis lunar architecture:

• Logistics carriers and the handling, storage, offloading of lunar surface logistics

• Lunar surface uncrewed mobility systems

• Release an RFP to obtain industry innovative ideas on potential solutions for lunar surface logistics and lunar surface uncrewed mobility systems.

RFP Proposals Scope ation

• Studies can focus on a specific individual area, multiple areas or the entire scope (e.g., integrated logistics)

• Requests industry recommendations on implementation contract (e.g., additional study phases, carrier contract, service contract)

Topic Areas for Studies to Address Logistics Carriers Concepts Logistics Handling and Offloading Concepts Logistics Transfer Concepts Staging, Storage, and Tracking Concepts Trash Management Concepts Surface Cargo Transportation and Mobility Systems Concepts Integrated Strategies

Scope and CLINS ation

The content of this BAA is organized into contract line item numbers (CLINs) is as follows:

• 001 Logistics Carriers Concept - This CLIN addresses technology investigation and maturation and concept development for logistics carriers of various sizes, volumes, and configurations.

• 002 Logistics Handling and Offloading Concept – This CLIN addresses technology investigation and maturation and concept development for handling and offloading unpressurized cargo, carriers, fluids, and gases.

• 003 Logistics Transfer Concept - This CLIN addresses technology investigation and maturation and concept development for the transfer of cargo from the lunar surface to a pressurized volume.

• 004 Staging, Storage and Tracking Concept - This CLIN addresses technology investigation and maturation and concept development for managing surface logistics inventory prior to, during, and after delivery to the final point of use.

• 005 Trash Management Concept - This CLIN addresses technology investigation and maturation and concept development for trash management that contributes to mission sustainability and maximizes crew efficiency.

Scope and CLINS (continued) ation

• 006 Surface Cargo Transportation and Mobility Systems Concept - This CLIN addresses technology investigation and maturation and concept development for the movement of cargo on the lunar surface after delivery by a lander.

• 007 Integrated Strategy Studies – Performs and integrated assessment of the lunar surface logistics strategy and the transportation of the logistics to the pressurized habitation elements.

This can also include the incorporation of the launch vehicle and cargo lander as part of the transportation.

• 008 Special Studies - Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) Task Order(s). These may be used for additional areas of study or extensions of studies base on mutual agreement between NASA and the proposer.

Reference Materials Summary ation

Reference Materials Provided as Attachments to BAA Appendix

• Several reference documents are provided as attachments to the BAA Appendix to provide background information relevant for proposals

• Proposed assets, elements, carriers, etc. should integrate with the architecture and take prior architectural decisions into consideration

Reference Material Listing

• Moon to Mars Architecture Definition Document (ADD), Revision A

• NASA Architecture Concept Review (ACR) 2024: Lunar Surface Cargo White Paper

• NASA Architecture Concept Review (ACR) 2024: Lunar Mobility Drivers and Needs White Paper

• NASA Architecture Concept Review (ACR) 2023: Lunar Logistics Drivers and Needs White Paper

• Lunar Logistics & Mobility Studies Ground Rules, Assumptions & Constraints (GRACs)

Applicant Eligibility ation

This solicitation topic is open to non-Government U.S. institutions (companies, universities, nonprofit organizations). NASA civil servants, Jet

Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) employees, national laboratories, and Federally Funded Research and development Centers (FFRDCs) shall not be proposed as a Prime Contractor on any effort associated with this announcement but may participate as a team member. Proposals from foreign organizations must comply with Section 3.1, Guidelines for Foreign Participation. Other eligibility information is included in the omnibus portion of this BAA.

BAA Implementation Schedule (after award) ation

• Kick-Off Meeting

• Review contract baseline

• Technical Interchange Meetings (I – VI)

• Review progress, provide technical feedback and programmatic guidance to ensure NASA receives the desired final products

• NASA SMEs will answer any contractor technical questions

• Midpoint Review

• Summarize Concept Definition

• Deliverables: Initial Concept Study, Updated GRACs, Initial Schedule Study, Initial Cost Study, Initial Risk Study, Initial GFE/GFP/SME Study

• Enables interim results to be incorporated into SAC25

• Final Review

• Summarize Concept Maturation

• Deliverables: Final Concept Study, Final GRACs, Final Schedule Study, Final Cost Study, Final Risk Study, Final GFE/GFP/SME Study, Acquisition Strategy Study

BAA Draft RFP Review Request ation

• Express your organizational intent to bid on future Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies solicitation

• Submit comments on Draft RFP and reference materials that would add clarity to Final RFP o Procurement process comments o Technical content comments

Industry Comments and Intent to Bid should be submitted no later than

5pm EDT September 6, 2024 Submit comments and responses via email to

Russellyn Hart russellyn.hart-1@nasa.gov

Schedule ation

Date Milestone

August 16, 2024 Draft Request For Proposals (RFP) Released

August 27, 2024 Industry Day

September 6, 2024 Industry Comments on Draft RFP Due

September 20, 2024 Final RFP Release

October 18, 2024 Industry Proposals Due

Q2FY25 Selections Made

August 27, 2024

Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies Industry Day

Thank You!

Important Dates

• August 30, 2024, 5pm EDT

• Technical Questions to Zaida Hernandez

• Procurement Questions to Russellyn Hart

• September 6, 2024, 5pm EDT

• Draft RFP comments to Russellyn Hart

• Intent to Bid to Russellyn Hart