It's a moot point anyway, IMO. The year-long micro-g exposure represents return-to-Earth, where you have assistance available on the ground. They've done 12 months on ISS. We know it's awful but completely survivable. So there's no need for additional data-points specifically for a Mars mission (as opposed to just general bio-science curiosity-driven-research.) No-one is going to die during or after the flight home. No-one is going to break a bone on the flight home. No astronaut who is healthy before flight, who does normal ISS-exercise routines while in micro-g, is going to be so unhealthy during the return trip that they have cardiac issues/etc. People with a family history of heart-attacks, strokes, etc, are not going be chosen for a NASA Mars mission. Further 12 month tests in LEO are not necessary for Mars. And any medical issues that arise after return to Earth have full medical assistance available. More critical for Mars is the functionality of the astronauts while on Mars, working unassisted on the ground after the trip out. So a better "Mars mission" test would be 4-6 months in micro-g, immediately followed by a simulated surface expedition for 1-3 months at a Mars-mockup test site. There are obvious differences (Mars gravity should reduce orthostatic intolerance, while Earth-g should more rapidly return lost muscle-mass, handling after EDL is wildly different, etc), but unless someone wants to pay for a Mars-g spin-gravity station, it's the best they can do and should be a reasonable first-approximation test to find major issues; mission show-stoppers. (Subtle stuff can wait for the actual manned Mars missions. That's the point of having them.)AFAIK (happy to be wrong), that kind of test hasn't been done by returning ISS astronauts, in spite of 6 month stays being routine. Which suggests it's not considered a priority, and won't happen under CLD. Which makes the supposed Mars-mission "need" for 12 month micro-g flights under CLD seem disingenuous.
The next acquisition briefing is tentatively planned the week of Jan 20, 2025 (additional details are forthcoming and will be posted on SAM.gov).
SAM.gov: Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Development Program Phase 2 Industry Acquisition Update [Jan 7]QuoteThe next acquisition briefing is tentatively planned the week of Jan 20, 2025 (additional details are forthcoming and will be posted on SAM.gov).
Acquisition Strategy UpdatesThe following updates to the strategy are being implemented to address NASA identified concerns:❖ Initially, NASA will provide transportation for all missions associated with NASA services (Crew and Cargo) - NASA will provide transportation for an initial set of missions, by contracting directly with transportation providers, and transition to CLD end-to-end service (including transportation) overtime (TBD)❖ CLD providers may propose an evolutionary approach with the following additional assumptions: - Minimum Initial Operating Capability (Min IOC) required by December 2029 (Details of Min IOC still in work) - Short-term presence including crew tended of 2 NASA crew for 1-3 months would be acceptable. - Full capability required by December 2031 • Includes 2 NASA crew continuously in LEO for 6 month missions • Additional shorter or longer missions may also be of NASA interest❖ CLD providers will develop, own and operate their destinations, with NASA support as requested through RSAAs or GTAs. NASA looking to offer more support/services than previously planned: - Open action to finalize list of services/equipment to be offered - Includes potentially offering versus requiring (TBC) NASA provided Exploration subsystems
NASA’s CLDP invites industry to attend a TIM regarding CLDP’s draft concepts on Destination Requirements and Safety. NASA will outline Safety best practices and lessons learned from NASA Human Spaceflight Programs. The discussion will cover core activities, processes, and technical requirements necessary to support safe operations and utilization.[...]This three-day event will be hosted at JSC’s Gilruth Center (Destiny Ballroom) in Houston, TX on January 28th, 29th, and 30th 2025. The agenda is included as a separate attachment labeled "Agenda.pdf"
11:15-12:00 - Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development - Robyn Gatens, Director (Acting), Commercial Space Division
Acquisition Strategy Updates: Transportation❖ Initially, NASA will provide transportation, from current certified vehicle fleet, for all missions associated with NASA services (Crew and Cargo) - NASA will provide transportation for an initial set of missions, by contracting directly with transportation providers, and transition to CLD end-to-end service (including transportation) over time (TBD) - Specific Gov’t services that will be provided or offered as part of government-provided transportation are still being assessed.❖ NASA plans to order full crew and cargo missions and plans to offer excess capacity/seats to the provider. - NASA envisions mixed missions including NASA, IP [International Partners] and other private astronauts. - A type of value exchange for use of NASA-provided transportation is expected for non-NASA customers. - CLD Providers may propose an alternative approach as part of their proposal if they do not want to utilize NASA-procured transportation.❖ CLD Provider is responsible for Private Astronaut Missions, assembly or cargo outfitting missions. Providers can propose NASA provide, or partner with the provider, to provide cargo transportation for outfitting flights, if those outfitting flights include NASA needs❖ NASA may choose to on-ramp new certified vehicles and/or utilize International Partner-provided vehicles for transportation missions.
Acquisition Strategy Updates: Evolutionary Approach NASA ❖ NASA will allow CLD providers to propose an evolutionary approach with the following additional assumptions:- Minimum Initial Operating Capability (Min IOC) required by December 2029 - Short-term crew tended missions of 2 NASA crew for 1-3 months may be offered - Additional details of Min IOC still in work- Continuous Crew missions required by 2030 - Includes 2 NASA crew continuously in LEO- Full Operating Capability (FOC) required by December 2031 - Includes 2 NASA crew continuously in LEO for 6-month missions - Additional shorter or longer missions may also be of NASA interest - Provides all NASA’s Utilization needs - Additional details of FOC still in work-Additional capabilities beyond “full capability” may be offered and/or requested by NASA
