Browsing by Author "Graff, Trevor"
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Item A Geology Sampling System for Small Bodies(46th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2016-07-10) Naids, Adam; Hood, A. Drew; Graff, Trevor; Abell, Paul; Buffington, JesseHuman exploration of small bodies is being investigated as a precursor to a Mars surface mission. Asteroids, comets, dwarf planets, and the moons of Mars all fall into this small bodies category and some are being discussed as potential mission targets. Obtaining geological samples for return to Earth will be a major objective for any mission to a small body. Currently, the knowledge base for geology sampling in microgravity is in its infancy. Humans interacting with non-engineered surfaces in a microgravity environment pose unique challenges. In preparation for such missions, a team at the NASA Johnson Space Center has been working to gain experience on how to safely obtain numerous sample types in such an environment. This paper describes the type of samples the science community is interested in, highlights notable prototype work, and discusses an integrated geology sampling solution.Item Relevant Environments for Analysis and Development (READy): Enabling Human Space Exploration Through Integrated Operational Testing(49th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2019-07-07) Coan, David; Graff, Trevor; Young, Kelsey; Reagan, MarcNASA is currently developing a multi-phase human exploration plan to explore various destinations throughout the solar system. These campaigns are currently focused on missions to cis-lunar space, the Moon, and Mars. All future exploration missions include Extravehicular Activity (EVA) operations that will comprise of both engineering-focused tasks for constructing and maintaining infrastructure, as well as science-driven operations for exploration of the natural environment. Integrated operational tests, also known as analogs, provide relevant data for informing concepts, flushing out technical details, and evolving systems. Analogs close technology, capability, and science gaps; identify and develop the best systems, innovations, and operational approaches; drive out results for things that do and do not work in a mission environment; and inform strategic architectural and concept of operations development efforts. These analogs further inform the Exploration EVA System Concept of Operations document by exploring the combination of operations, engineering, and science for future destinations in mission-like environments. Exploration and analog experts from NASA’s Exploration Integration & Science Directorate (EISD) established the Relevant Environments for Analysis and Development (READy) Program in order to enable human space exploration through the integration and testing of technologies, systems, operations, and science. The READy team leads the development and execution of high-fidelity operational exploration missions that closely mimic the space environment of interest. The READy Program facilitates exploration objectives through four themes 1) Tools, 2) Techniques, 3) Technologies, and 4) Training, and takes place in three general types of environments 1) Aquatic, 2) Terrestrial, and 3) Laboratory. READy fulfills key objectives that enable human exploration, while providing synergy and ensuring integration across a wide variety of activities. These efforts will ultimately lead to mission readiness and success, reduce risk, increase scientific return, and improve the affordability of NASA programs and missions. This paper outlines READy’s strategy and implementation plan.Item Testing the Exploration Conops(Excon) Mockup Suit in Lunar Analog Environments in 2022(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Tejral, Zachary; Flaspohler, Christine; Keomany, Tommy; Graff, Trevor; Fester, Zachary; Davis, Kristine; Coan, DaveUnderstanding how to effectively train for Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) for Artemis missions is critical. Developing high-fidelity simulation environments is important for Artemis mission preparation. Because the actual Lunar exploration environment cannot be fully replicated on Earth, it is paramount to determine where and how to properly train the Artemis team. The overall focus for this test series was developing the capability to perform Artemis simulated EVAs in high-fidelity, full-scale environments. This test series was broken into 3 distinct tests titled after the EHP integrated test team: Joint EVA Test Team (JETT). The test locations are planned to serve as Artemis training sites and were selected because of their relevance to the expected Artemis Lunar terrain. JETT1 was conducted near Kilbourne Hole by El Paso, Texas and focused on hardware development and checkout. JETT2 was conducted in the Icelandic Highlands and began the transition towards EVA concept operations (con-ops), risks and technology. JETT3 was conducted near SP Crater by Flagstaff Arizona and focused on simulating the Artemis III mission with a simulated Houston based Flight Control Team (FCT) and a Science Mission Directorate (SMD) science team. All three JETT tests utilized the Excon mockup space suit. The Excon mockup suit is a light-weight, unpressurized Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) simulator. While it cannot replicate the feel of working within a pressurized suit, it does introduce similar volume constraints and some of the mobility programing to simulate the user experience in the xEMU. Overall, the JETT testing was able to create a simulated Lunar EVA and have two subjects perform full scale operations in line with Artemis III mission expectations. Future work is planned to continue to improve the simulation quality of Lunar EVA simulations.