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Human Exploration of Near-Earth AsteroidsA major goal for NASA's human spaceflight program is to send astronauts to near-Earth asteroids (NEA) in the coming decades. Missions to NEAs would undoubtedly provide a great deal of technical and engineering data on spacecraft operations for future human space exploration while conducting in-depth scientific examinations of these primitive objects. However, before sending human explorers to NEAs, robotic investigations of these bodies would be required to maximize operational efficiency and reduce mission risk. These precursor missions to NEAs would fill crucial strategic knowledge gaps concerning their physical characteristics that are relevant for human exploration of these relatively unknown destinations. Dr. Paul Abell discussed some of the physical characteristics of NEOs that will be relevant for EVA considerations, reviewed the current data from previous NEA missions (e.g., Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) Shoemaker and Hayabusa), and discussed why future robotic and human missions to NEAs are important from space exploration and planetary defense perspectives.
Document ID
20140010940
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Abell, Paul
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 22, 2014
Publication Date
July 25, 2013
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-29231
Meeting Information
Meeting: Johnson Space Center Engineering Academy
Location: Houston, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: July 25, 2013
Sponsors: NASA Johnson Space Center
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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