Recommendation to Cease NASA Crew Return Vehicle Development April 29, 2004 Amanda KellyBlake HajovskyAnthony Pittman Engineering Technical Communications Presentation

Overview Motivation for a CRV Feasibility Studies for Crew Escape Past and Present NASA CRV Development Underlying Ethics Recommendation Summary

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Motivation for a CRV Station Mishaps: –Fire –Computer Malfunctions –Life Support Systems Failures –Spacecraft Collisions Space Debris Collisions Medical Emergencies To provide a means for escape for 7 crew members in the event of: Photograph Courtesy of NASA Blake

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Fire –Location and magnitude Computer Malfunctions –Loss of gyroscopes Life Support Systems Failures –Oxygen generator failure Spacecraft Collisions –Progress supply vehicle collision Feasibility Studies for Crew Escape Station Mishaps Blake

Feasibility Studies for Crew Escape Space Debris Collisions Impact on External Pressurized Tanks: –Immediate detonation of the gas within the tank –Tank thrust –Tank rupture Direct impact of station module: –Depressurizing leak –Risk hypoxia CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Photograph Courtesy of NASA Blake

Feasibility Studies for Crew Escape Medical Emergencies In space: –Heart conditions –Other life-threatening conditions Problems in Antarctica –Detection of cancer –Pancreatitis CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Blake

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Past NASA CRV Programs X-38 Vehicle Concept Organization: – Developed by NASA and Dryden in 1995 X-38 Vehicle Concept: –Based on existing technologies –Carried to orbit by Shuttle –Lifting Body NASA Investment: –7 years of engineering work –Over 1 Billion Dollars Program Progress: –Final Stages of Development Photograph courtesy of NASA Amanda

Past NASA CRV Programs Modified Vision for CRV Vehicle design specifications to meet multi-purpose objectives –Independent of Shuttle –Crew rescue and crew transfer capabilities –Increased launch probability –Increased on-orbit maneuverability –Limited cargo-carrying capability CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Amanda

Past NASA CRV Programs Orbital Space Plane (OSP) Vehicle Concept Organization: –Industry Contract Competition began in 2003 OSP Vehicle Concept: –Undecided Capsule Lifting body Winged body NASA Investment: –1 year of engineering work –Over 1 Billion Dollars Program Progress: –Preliminary Design Photograph Courtesy of Boeing CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Amanda

Present CRV Development Crew Exploration Vehicle Vehicle design specifications –Explore beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Moon and Mars –Transporting crew to ISS after Shuttle is retired CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Amanda

Ethics for a Rescue Vehicle Safety requirements Today –Transportation –Military Mission Crew sense of safety Influence of Public Opinion CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Anthony Photo courtesy of eFluids

Ethics for a Rescue Vehicle Successful Rescues Factors Importance for recovery –Crew –Spacecrafts Success depends on: –Extent of Emergency –Time to Implement –Working Environment CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Anthony

Ethics for a Rescue Vehicle Reality of Space Rescue Crew Understands Danger Percentage of Success –Harsh Space Environment –Types of emergencies Cost vs. Benefit CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Anthony

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Recommendation Cease NASA CRV Development –Escape in most situations is not always feasible or necessary –Over 2 billion dollars invested into canceled programs –New NASA focus on Mars and Moon –Crew understands inherent risks –Soyuz vehicle can be used as CRV Anthony

CRV Motivation Feasibility Studies NASA CRV Development Ethics Recommendation Summary Motivation for a CRV Feasibility Studies for Crew Escape Past and Present NASA CRV Development Underlying Ethics Recommendation Summary Blake