Paper Session III-A - Human Exploration Initiative

Reliable access to space through the use of a mixed fleet of launch vehicles, including the Space Transportation System (STS) and other existing and new systems, will be needed to provide the capability to accommodate the major new initiative for the Human Exploration (HEI) Program. The operational Space Station Freedom (SSF) will be established as a transportation node for Lunar and planetary missions and will required the Shuttle-C for assembly and implementation. The proposed Lunar mission schedule beginning in 1999 will also require a heavy lift launch vehicle (HLLV) capability in the class of the Shuttle- C. The large payloads and associated quantities of propellent needed for the establishment and maintenance of Lunar and Mars outposts will require a heavy-lift launch capability not now available to the United States with existing Earth-to-orbit transportation systems,. This augmented mixed fleet of launch vehicles will require extensive expansion and modification in the vehicle and payload launch processing operations, to meet current commitments and to accomplish this bold new initiative. This paper will provide an update of the planning for the Human Exploration Initiative announced by President Bush on July 20, 1989. It will review the activity that has transpired during the period following this announcement and will discuss the various options in mission design, proposed launch vehicles and program phasing under consideration, with special emphasis on the planning for the ground processing capabilities required at the Kennedy Space Center