Autonomous Systems Technology Projects for 2024

Mars Campaign Office (MCO) Earth Independent Operations (EIO)

• Expert support and technology development for Earth-Independent Operations.
• Procedure validation using Orion simulator.
• Moon to MARS  (M2M) campaign.
• Lunar Surface Systems (LSS) Command & Control Interoperability (LuCCI).
  • NASA Stennis Key Focus Areas: Automation & autonomy with other core topic area participation in data exchange and formats & software.

FY24 Center Innovation Fund (CIF)

• Autonomous Commodity Management – Reference design for an intelligent lunar cryogenics skid.
• Autonomous Systems Stress Testing – Confidence building development of autonomous system assessment methods.

Autonomous Satellite Technology for Resilient Applications (ASTRA)

ASTRA to establish flight heritage for Mars Campaign Office developed autonomy technology, eliminate barriers to adoption by future Artemis missions and help build trust in autonomous systems.

Johnson Space Center Chemical Propulsion Team (in formulation)

Development of Gateway refueling test rig and autonomous operations to be used in Johnson Space Center’s Gateway X-lab (in formulation).

Past Projects Success

Autonomous systems technology advancement driven by diverse customers

Each activity builds on, enhances, and leverages capabilities for future applications relevant to M2M (Moon to Mars) and Artemis mission needs.

• Northrop Grumman.
• Lockheed Martin.
• Blue Origin.
• NASA Johnson Space Center.
  • Spacesuit Physiology.
  • Gateway Chemical Propellant Breadboard Team.
• NASA Stennis Rocket Propulsion Test Level 2 – Operational Capability.
• NASA Kennedy Space Center.
  • UPSS – Universal Propellant Service System.
  • CTL – Cryogenic Testbed Lab.