NASA for NEOs (11:38 AM): The feasibility study was only that.
We asked a simple question: using the Constellation hardware and architecture: Could you go after NEOs?
The simple answer came back, "Yes -- and by the way, here are nine NEOs that could be examined between 2015 and 2030."
Dave on Earth (11:38 AM): Wow. So this could actually happen in NASA's future.
What are the next steps? When do I sign up for the trip?
My mom might not be excited about the idea, but I'm ready. I don't care how smelly my underwear gets during the ride.
NASA for NEOs (11:39 AM): It could. But, folks need to bear in mind what NASA is focused on doing now:
1) Fly out the shuttle program safely and retire it next year
2) Complete ISS
3) Prepare Orion for flight (it'll first go to ISS)
4) Return to the Moon
NEOs offer another interesting caveat for NASA. And, yes -- it is something that could happen in our lifetime.
A mission to the first NEO could be our generation's Apollo 8-style mission, prior to attempting a visit to Mars or its moons, Phobos and Deimos.
You'll have to get to know your crew mates very well -- no matter how smelly your underwear gets!
Dave on Earth (11:42 AM): :)
Now here's a probing personal question: Moon mission vs. NEO mission (to Apophis, perhaps?) -- which would you choose if you had to pick just one?
NASA for NEOs (11:43 AM): Hmm.... both are very valuable.
As a boy, I felt a bit ripped off that we stopped going to the Moon. I always thought we'd go to the Moon and other places. Then, the shuttle came along.
And ... unfortunately, we remained in low-Earth orbit all of these years.
If I had a choice (and, this is me, personally talking) -- I'd pick an NEO. The Moon is still very, very valuable to learn how to operate in an extreme environment and has feed forward to Mars. But, so do NEOs.
You mentioned Apophis.
Based on current limitations, we can't get to Apophis easily with the Orion (and then come back home!). However, we could send a robotic mission.
The next launch window for Apophis (with minimal delta v) is in late 2012-early 2013. Sending a robotic mission there first, makes the most sense.
We can track it's orbit precisely, learn basic geology about that particular NEO, and other details -- and the robot doesn't have to come back home.
Dave on Earth (11:46 AM): I see. So not a lot of time to get a mission together.
Now that brings up funding...
NASA is getting an extra $1 billion thanks to the Omnibus Appropriations Act -- might that in some way pave the way for an NEO mission, robotic or human?
NASA for NEOs (11:48 AM): That's a very good question -- but, that's not my call.
A significant portion of that $1 billion will address looking at shortening the gap between end of shuttle operations and beginning of Orion (Orion to space station -- sometime ~2015 or so).
NASA does what the President directs and what the Congress authorizes and appropriates.
Unfortunately, we do not have all the money we might want to do all things we should. So, it comes to priorities.
Personally, I would love to see missions to NEOs. But, our elected leaders must make those decisional priorities -- and, NASA can and does help with all that.
Dave on Earth (11:51 AM): Anything else, how should I say, "wily" in NASA's future?
I've seen that missions to Europa and Titan are on the books if funding can come through
NASA for NEOs (11:52 AM): To my mind, the Constellation program is damned impressive. We need to make this more than Apollo (with all due respect and homage to what Apollo accomplished).
NEOs provide that in the form of a wonderful Royal Flush -- shows how Constellation can be adaptable for something more than the moon, much sooner than some may have thought.
Important to note that it's not a matter of if an NEO will impact the Earth -- it's a matter of when.
The space program could provide humanity few greater legacies than to know the time and place of any cosmic catastrophe, allowing ample time to prepare our response to that inevitable event.
Dave on Earth (11:55 AM): I think I have to agree with you on that point...
What would be cooler than a space program saving Earth?
NASA for NEOs (11:56 AM): The dinosaurs had their chance. They were around a LOT longer than our species.
They never developed an NEO observing (and tracking) program, and never evolved into a space faring species. Look where it got them: Extinct.
Despite all of our warts and trials and tribulations and our imperfections, I'm all for saving the human species. But, along the way -- we get to do some really, really awesomely cool exploration!
Just as Apollo changed our ideas on how the Earth-moon system formed and -- not only that -- our understanding of the solar system -- NEOs could do the same.
Dave on Earth (11:57 AM): Thanks Rob; excellent chatting with you!
Anything you want to add before we close up shop?
NASA for NEOs (11:58 AM): Nothing more to add. Thanks loads.
Article posted March 16, 2008.
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