Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmidt taking measurements on the lunar surface.

Polar rover concept used to explore lunar craters in search of water/ice.

Background

2006 Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) final report cover.

NASA has engaged its workforce to enable the safe and reliable transport of humans to the International Space Station, moon and Mars. Based on the results of NASA’s 2006 Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS), the ETDP was established. Glenn’s Advanced Capabilities Project Office supports NASA’s ETDP, which is managed by Langley Research Center.

Notional Lunar Lander concept developed by ESAS.

ETDP consists of high-priority, requirements-driven projects that support exploration technology gaps identified and prioritized by the Constellation flight program and lunar and Mars architecture assessments. The ETDP portfolio is reassessed on an annual basis to assure relevance and alignment of the funding to the most critical, “enabling” technologies. The ETDP budget is also committed to conducting system assessments such as the Lunar Architecture Team Study published in December 2006.

Nominally, the technologies within the ETDP will be matured until a demonstration of the design concept in a relevant environment is completed. At that point, they will be transitioned to the Constellation Flight Program (e.g. Lunar Lander). ETDP projects also work with the Lunar Precursor Robotic Program to provide spacecraft design input and/or to validate technologies for flight prior to the human application (e.g. validate a fuel cell first on a robotic mission to the moon). Finally, as resources allow, ETDP provides support to analog demonstrations of future vehicle and surface systems (e.g. Desert Research and Technology Systems (D-RATS)).

Desert RATS conducts lunar mission scenarios with crewed and uncrewed systems in at Meteor Crater, Arizona.

Artist concept of Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) in Orbit.

Glenn has a rich history in the space flight program and has effectively developed and tested technologies for the following areas: Launch Vehicles, Spacecraft and Communications (including the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) satellite), International Space Station Power Systems, Microgravity Science Payloads and Technology Flight Projects. Glenn was selected to play an important role in ETDP technology development activities because of the center’s capabilities in power and propulsion, and successful technology infusion into flight projects.

Notional lunar processing plant to general oxygen and other resources from the regolith.

Technology Portfolio

Glenn’s current ETDP technology portfolio includes 16 different projects, which are listed below. The first six projects are led by Glenn’s Advanced Capabilities Project Office. The remaining technology areas are managed by teams consisting of members from Glenn, other NASA centers, academia and industry. Click on the name of each project for more information.

Glenn-led Projects:

• Propulsion and Cryogenic Advanced Development
• Cryogenic Fluid Management
• Energy Storage
• Fission Surface Power
• Fire Prevention, Detection, and Suppression
• Dust Management

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Common Extensible Cryogenic Engine (CECE).

Glenn Supporting Projects:

• Component Level Electronic Assessment and Repair
• Exploration Life Support
• Extra Vehicular Activity
• Human Robotic Systems
• In-Situ Resource Utilization
• Thermal Control Systems
• Thermal Protection System for Orion
• System Studies and Tools
• Analog Demonstration Projects

Lunar Precursor Program Flight Projects:

Drawing of the LRO Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier.

Glenn’s Advanced Capabilities Office manages one flight project for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission: Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier (TWTA). This project will provide the primary communication from the LRO Spacecraft to the Earth. The TWTA is a high power (40 W), high efficiency Ka band communication systems operating at 25.65 GHz. Glenn is working with L3 Communications on this effort.

NASA Glenn ETDP Projects also leverages and incorporates the capabilities of NASA’s Innovative Partnership Program (IPP) to enhance technology efforts through Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), and the IPP Seed Fund Program. 

 

Contact at NASA Glenn Research Center
Chief,  Advanced Capabilities Project Office: Ann P. Over
Space Flight Systems Directorate / Advanced Flight Projects Office
216-433-6535