NASA's Space Technology Program aims to advance technologies from low to mid readiness levels for future NASA missions and other government/commercial applications. It includes elements for early-stage innovation, game-changing technology development, and crosscutting capability demonstrations. The program will employ a portfolio approach across the technology readiness scale and sponsor research at universities, industry, and NASA centers. It will help enable NASA's human spaceflight goals by developing technologies like in-orbit propellant transfer and storage, lightweight modules, and autonomous docking.

1. Investments in the Future: NASA’s Technology Programs Robert D. Braun NASA Chief Technologist March 11, 2010 1

2. Outline NASA Innovation and Technology Initiative NASA Office of the Chief Technologist Space Technology Program Technology Integration 2

3. Augustine Committee Input In 2009, the Augustine Committee strongly endorsed increased investment in innovative technologies and approaches to achieving broadly defined NASA and national goals This technology and innovation investment was included in all new Program Options suggested by the Augustine Committee The Committee strongly believes it is time for NASA to reassume its crucial role of developing new technologies for space. Today, the alternatives available for exploration systems are severely limited because of the lack of a strategic investment in technology development in past decades. NASA now has an opportunity to develop a technology roadmap that is aligned with an exploration mission that will last for decades. If appropriately funded, a technology development program would re-engage the minds at American universities, in industry and within NASA. The investments should be designed to increase the capabilities and reduce the costs of future exploration. This will benefit human and robotic exploration, the commercial space community, and other U.S. government users. 3 http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/396093main_HSF_Cmte_FinalReport.pdf *Underline highlight added.

4. Recent NRC Recommendations (1 of 2) In 2009, the NRC report “America’s Future in Space” specifically speaks to this issue in one of its six key recommendations: 4. Advanced space technology. NASA should revitalize its advanced technology development program by establishing a DARPA-like organization within NASA as a priority mission area to support preeminent civil, national security (if dual-use), and commercial space programs. The resulting program should: a. Be organizationally independent of major development programs; b. Serve all civil space customers, including the commercial sector; c. Conduct an extensive assessment of the current state and potential of civil space technology; and d. Conduct cutting-edge fundamental research in support of the nation’s space technology base. 4 http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12701 *Underline highlight added.

6. NIAC2 should report to the Office of the Administrator, be outside mission directorates, and be chartered to address NASA-wide mission and technology needs. To increase NIAC2’s relevance, NASA mission directorates should contribute thematic areas for consideration. The committee also recommends that a NIAC2 organization should be funded and administered separately from NASA development programs, mission directorates, and institutional constraints.

7. Future NIAC2 proposal opportunities be open to principal investigators or teams both internal and external to NASA*Underline highlight added. http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12702 5

9. Encourage innovative application of NASA capabilities to address broader national needs such as energy, weather and climate, Earth science, health and wellness, national security, and STEM education

10. Stimulate a vibrant commercial space sector through helping to create new types of engagement, creation of new markets, and investments in future technologies

11. Generate excitement about NASA’s work by investing in a large number of highly creative activities with potential for disruptive breakthroughs

12. Provide exciting hands-on work for students and new employees*Internal NASA assessment in Summer/Fall 2009 6

13. Why Invest in Technology & Innovation? Many positive outcomes are likely from a long-term NASA advanced concepts & broad technology development program with mission-focused, crosscutting, game-changing and early-stage innovation components. A more vital and productive aeronautics and space future than our country has today A means to focus NASA intellectual capital on significant national needs A spark to a technology-based economy An international symbol of our country’s scientific and technological leadership A motivation for many of the country’s best young minds to pursue educational programs and careers in engineering and science While these efforts are high risk and not all will succeed, when taken in total, the benefits will be significant for NASA and the Nation. Individual project failure must be acceptable for innovation to flourish We must develop a program that extracts knowledge even in cases of failure Consider the following examples: Mars Pathfinder Orion Thermal Protection System Development Human Mars exploration Bloom Energy 7

14. 8

15. Planetary Exploration Flight Projects In Development Within 2 Years of Mars Pathfinder Landing 9

17. Multiple TPS firms

18. Large scale manufacturing

19. TRL = 5-6 ablative TPS

20. Promising new TPS concepts

21. Technology transfer to commercial space industryLarge article arcjet testing demonstrated during TPS ADP is now a necessary TPS tool 10

23. Further assessments required.

24. Results are cumulative and thus dependent on combinations/sequences of technologies applied

25. The change between points shows the relative mass savings for that particular technology14 Improved Cryogenic Boil-off 12 Cargo Aerocapture at Mars 10 Advanced Propulsion Closed-Loop Life Support 8 ISRU Propellants Normalized Mass Savings Nuclear Surface Power 6 Maintenance & Spares Advanced Avionics DRA 5.0 Reference 4 ISS at Assembly Complete 2 Without technology investments, the mass required to initiate a human Mars mission in LEO is approximately eight times the mass of the International Space Station Technology investments of the type proposed in the FY 2011 budget are required to put such a mission within reach 11

26. Nine Years after NASA Mars Oxygen Generator Development…… 12 Space technology modified to generate clean power at Ebay Headquarters in San Jose, CA. Similar fuel cell systems deployed at five other customer sites. Image from www.bloomenergy.com. Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Described

27. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of the Administrator Chief Financial Officer* Chief Scientist Advisory Groups NAC ASAP Chief Information Officer* Inspector General Chief Technologist Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs* Chief, Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Engineer Independent Program and Cost Evaluation Chief Health and Medical Officer Education Office of Communications* International and Interagency Affairs Small Business Programs General Counsel Science Mission Directorate Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Mission Support Directorate Johnson Space Center Ames Research Center Kennedy Space Center Dryden Flight Research Center Space Operations Mission Directorate Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Budget Management and Systems Support Internal Controls and Management Systems Langley Research Center Glenn Research Center NASA Shared Services Center Headquarters Operations Marshall Space Flight Center Goddard Space Flight Center Program and Institutional Integration Human Capital Management Stennis Space Center Jet Propulsion Laboratory Note: * Center functional office directors report to Agency functional AA. Deputy and below report to Center leadership. Infrastructure Procurement 11/13/09 February 22, 2010 Protective Services

30. The Space Technology Program shall advance non-mission-focused technology currently at low-to-mid Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), in some cases to flight-ready status. The Space Technology Program shall meet the Nation’s needs for new technologies to support future NASA missions in science and exploration, as well as the needs of other government agencies and the Nation’s space industry in a manner similar to the way NACA aided the early aeronautics industry. There shall be multiple customers for Space Technology program products. The Space Technology Program shall employ a portfolio approach to innovation that ensures opportunities for technology investment and maturation over the entire TRL spectrum. The Space Technology Program shall sponsor research in academia, industry, and NASA field Centers based on the quality of research proposed at those institutions and in a manner that supports competition and balance. 16 NASA Space TechnologyFoundational Principles

31. NASA Space Technology Program Elements Early-Stage Innovation: Creative ideas regarding future NASA systems and/or solutions to national needs. Game Changing Technology: Prove feasibility of novel, early-stage idea that has potential to revolutionize a future NASA mission and/or fulfill national need. Crosscutting Capability Demonstration: Maturation to flight readiness of cross-cutting capabilities that advance multiple future space missions, including flight test projects where in-space demonstration is needed before the capability can transition to direct mission application. 17 *Both competitive and guided program approaches will be used in the Game Changing Technology and Crosscutting Capability Demonstration program elements. The Early-Stage Innovation program element will be entirely competed.

33. Foundational Disciplinary Advances

34. Technology Enablers

36. Quantitative Performance

37. Hardware Validation

39. 7120 Flight Processes

40. Not Mission Specific Technology

42. Future Space Technology Innovations? Inflatable Structures Power Beaming Aluminum-icenanopropellant Spacecraft Swarms

43. ESMD: Blazing a Trail Into the Solar System NASA’s human spaceflight program seeks to extend human presence throughout the solar system The President's FY2011 Budget Request takes a new approach to this goal, focusing on capabilities that will allow us to reach multiple destinations, including the Moon, Asteroids, Lagrange points, and Mars and its moons The investments seek to create the new knowledge and capabilities required for humans to venture beyond low Earth orbit to stay Approach expands alternatives available for human exploration, currently limited by lack of strategic investment in technology development over past decades 21

44. New Exploration Research & Development Activities Exploration Technology and Demonstrations Develop and demonstrate technologies to reduce costs and expand capabilities for future exploration Heavy-Lift and Propulsion Technology Research and development of new cost-effective propulsion systems, engines, LV materials, etc. Exploration Precursor Robotic Missions Scout exploration targets, identify hazards and resources for human visitation and habitation 22

45. Enabling Technology Development & Demonstration Human-robotic partnerships Autonomous Landing In Situ Resource Utilization

47. First three primary technology targets for single or combined missions to include:

48. In-orbit propellant transfer and storage

49. Lightweight/inflatable modules

50. Automated/autonomous rendezvous and docking

51. Fourth flight program such as

52. Aerocapture/entry, descent and landing

53. Advanced life support

54. Advanced in-space propulsion (ion/plasma, etc)

55. Initiate four technology demonstrations in FY2011

56. Follow-on demonstrations informed by emerging technologies

58. Summary NASA as a Major Component of our Nation’s Innovation Engine: America’s economic competitiveness and high standard of living are based on decades of investment in innovation Investment in innovation in NASA communities will drive a sustainable, yet aggressive, future mission portfolio Innovative research and technology, tied to exciting missions with national importance, is a strong motivator for students in STEM disciplines, and a strong attraction for new hires This investment will also allow NASA to participate in the development of technological solutions addressing broader National needs in energy, weather & climate, Earth science, health & wellness, and National security NASA’s focus on innovation and technology will: Be responsive to Augustine and NRC input Position NASA for human exploration beyond low earth orbit Be highly engaging of our academic and industrial partners, and the emerging commercial space sector Leverage efforts of other government agencies and international partners Result in new inventions, new capabilities and creation of a pipeline of innovators trained to serve future national needs 26