Space Exploration Challenges
The challenges in this section are those that must be solved before humans can regularly explore the moon, Mars, and nearby asteroids. It starts with the present challenge of affordable launch, and ends with the basic technologies needed to start outposts for settlement, in the next section.
To see a detailed explanation of each challenge, click the links below.
Summary
The cost of reaching space with heavy payloads must drop dramatically before significant exploration and settlement.
Status - Green
Between SpaceX dropping the price of launch dramatically and Blue Origin coming online, we will be able to launch twice the payload at half the price.
Next Steps
Falcon Heavy Test launch - Nov 2017
New Glenn Test Launch - 2020
Summary
Refueling on orbit multiplies the amount of payload that can be taken into deep space by 4 times. It is critical to deep space settlement.
Status - Green
This is done routinely on the International Space Station for using room-temperature fuels.
For cryo-propellants, Space-X ITR/ITS program has this as a requirement for getting to Mars. ACES and Bigelow also have this as a requirement.
Next Steps
ITR Revised announcement, late Sept 2017
ACES from ULA - TBD
Summary
Bone loss, muscle loss, and fluid shifts impact astronauts during long exposure to microgravity.
Status - Yellow
Recent advances in nutrition, exercise, and medication have offset bone and muscle loss on one year ISS missions. The fluid shift impacts vision in 2/3 of astronauts, however, and has prolonged if not permanent effects on return to Earth.
Next Steps
Continued ISS research.
No current program for spinning spacecraft are planned.
Summary
Solar flares are a strong hazard that can kill quickly without strong but thin shielding. Cosmic rays are basically unstoppable and less dangerous, but can be an issue on long voyages.
Status - Yellow
With the exception of the Bigelow habitats, no one has a current program for using water shielding against cosmic rays.
Next Steps
Ongoing ISS medical and AMS research.
Bigelow BA330 launch - TBD
5: Life Support
Summary
Life support systems for long voyages or stays requires high rates of recycling for water and oxygen.
Status - Yellow
Current life support systems recycle 42 percent of oxygen and 75 percent of water.
Next Steps
Ongoing ISS research.
No breakthrough programs planned by NASA, but may be possible with Space-X, Bigelow, or eventually Blue Origin.
Summary
Food, medications, and other supplies may expire more quickly when exposed to cosmic radiation. For a multi-year mission this can become an issue.
Status - Green
Current testing implies that the effects can be mitigated. More work is needed.
Next Steps
Nothing on the radar at the moment.
8: Spacesuits (Read more)
Summary
Spacesuits for surface operations have not been used since the Apollo era.
Status - Red
US built suits on the ISS are so old that they are leaking water on occasion, and they are in short supply. A $200 million program to make suits for Mars has not produced a working spacesuit that could be tried there.
Next Steps
Ascent suits in development from Space-X, Boeing, and several other companies. NASA hopes to have a basic ISS suit by 2023, although the ISS will retire in 2024. Unless SpaceX and Blue Origin are building suits in house, they cannot count on a NASA-commissioned surface suit for the moon or Mars prior to 2025. Since NASA and ULA's own space plans for the Moon and Mars are stalled into the mid-2030's even if they stay on schedule, they are in no rush to build suits for these missions.
9: Lunar Landing and Surface Issues
Summary
The cost of reaching space with heavy payloads must drop dramatically before significant exploration and settlement.
Status - Green
Blue Origin's "Blue Moon" lander program is financed and could eventually land 20 MT cargos on the moon. They plan to land a lot of robotic equipment before attempting a crewed landing. Space-X has also announced the moon's surface as a near-term goal.
Next Steps
Falcon Heavy/Dragon Lunar flyby, 2020?
10: Mars Landing and Surface Issues
Summary
Current technology limits the amount of payload to the surface of Mars at 1 MT. Biconic and propulsive methods have not been tested yet.
Status - Red
The Red Dragon program was cancelled. Space-X intents to test a sub-scale (9 meter diameter) ITS at some point. This may delay the first big data point for a decade.
Next Steps
ITS test launches. TBD.
11: Water, Fuel, and Electricity
Summary
Any system must have power, propellant and water. These can be made on the surface of the moon and Mars.
Status - Green
NASA is stepping up work on space nuclear power. ISS is refining life support systems with Sabatier reactors.
Next Steps
Ongoing research with Kilopower - 2020.
12: Returning to Earth
Summary
Entering the earth's atmosphere from deep space involves speeds of roughly 24,000 MPH. This has only been done historically by Apollo and some sample return missions.
Status - Green
Systems for returning crew capsules (up to 7 people) are well understood. Biconics like the ITS would be more challenging.
Next Steps
Falcon Heavy/Dragon Lunar Flyby - 2020?
Space Settlement Challenges
When the problems above are solved, humanity has the technology and economic depth necessary to begin space settlement. This starts with basic outposts that make their own water and fuel, then expands to a basic industrial and economic base. The definition of settlement ends with full independence from Earth and the ability to launch locally-sourced expeditions to other locations, such as the asteroid belt or outer solar system.
COMING SOON