Operational Field Testing for Human Space Exploration

NASA “Analog” Projects

Exploration Integration

Extravehicular Activity & Science Operations

Extreme Environment Evaluations & Experiments

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Background

• Future Exploration missions will potentially take humans to destinations where 

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) work will be done on non-engineered natural bodies

• These missions will also be at distance that precludes instantaneous real-time 

communication with the crew, hinders fast resupply, and precludes quick help

• There are numerous technology and operations gaps associated with tools, 

hardware, experiments, and operational techniques

Operational Field Testing

An “analog” mission is an integrated multi-disciplinary operational field test that allows 

for early end-to-end testing of concepts of operations and hardware in a true operational 

scenario 

• Evaluates objectives mapped to specific needs and knowledge/technology gaps

• Has the crew in-situ and a ground team separated from them in a mission-like 

manner

• Provides an understanding of system and architectural interactions between 

Operations, Engineering, and Science

• Drives out results not found in standalone testing, including things that do and do not 

work in a mission environment

• Benefits programs from ISS to Exploration

What Are Operational Field Tests?

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 2
NASA JSC

PROGRAMS

Alignment with NASA’s Journey to Mars 

Earth Reliant exploration is focused on

research aboard ISS testing new

technologies and advancing human

health and performance research that will

enable deep-space, long-duration

missions.

Proving Grounds will let NASA learn how to

conduct complex operations in a deep

space environment. Primarily operating in

cislunar space, NASA will advance and

validate capabilities required for human

exploration of Mars.

Mars Ready endeavors will build on what

we learn on ISS and in cislunar space to

enable human missions near Mars,

including the moons of Mars, and

eventually to the Martian surface.

 International Space Station

 Commercial Crew and Resupply

 Astronauts

 Flight Operations

 Mars Surface Systems

 Entry, Descent, and Landing

 Science and Planetary Destinations

 In-situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)

 Mission Environments, Integration, 

and Testing

 Orion

 Asteroid Retrieval Crewed Mission

 Human System Research

 Suits

 Environmental Control & Life Support

 Robotics and Autonomous Systems

 Space Radiation Protection

Operational field testing contributes to all Journey to Mars phases

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 3
NASA

 Multiple centers and groups

 Exploration 

 Extravehicular Activity (EVA)

 Science

 Operations

 Engineering

 Astronauts

International Partners

Academia

Institutions

Military

Industry

Partnerships and Collaborations

4

And many others...

D. Coan, 11/17/2016
NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations

- Utilizes unique facility & environment; rapid prototyping; Evaluations of both IVA and EVA objectives

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Research and Technology Studies

- Utilizes terrain appropriate for geo-science tasks; Suit and robotic test-bed

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Apollo Surface Operations

- Exploration traverses were planned in advance using imagery gathered from precursor satellites

- Crews had significant training in geology and science tasks

- An Earth-based science team (ST) supported EVAs (Precursor plans, Feedback during EVA, and changes between EVAs)

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

MER A - Spirit

MER B - Opportunity 

MSL - Curiosity

Low communication latency (~1.25 sec OWLT) 

High communication latency for Mars (~4-22 min OWLT)

Tested-bed for a variety of communication latency for detailed EVA/Science evaluations

Mars Robotic Missions

- Remote science operations

- Instrumentation / sample selection 

Tested a variety of communication latencies for geo-science operations

Science

Science

Heritage & Background

5

Other NASA Analog Programs

- Each exploring various aspects of exploration

- Funded though grant programs

- Science focused

ISRU

Test a variety of communication latencies

D. Coan, 11/17/2016
EQUIPMENT

SCIENCE

OPERATIONS

Integrated Evaluations of Operations Concepts

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 6

Astromaterials Research &

Exploration Science (ARES)

XI

EVA Strategic Planning & 

Architecture

XX

Crew & Thermal

Systems - Tools

EC

Integrated EVA Science Operations

The objective for an operational field test is to explore the combined aspects of Science, Operations, and Equipment

in a mission-like environment in order to evaluate:

• Concepts of operations on a natural surface

• Hardware and tools for pioneering and science tasks

• Tools and techniques that enable effective and efficient communication between Earth (MCC and Science Team) 

and the crew (IV and EVA) over an appropriate communication latency utilizing a flexible execution methodology 
D. Coan, 11/17/2016

AQUATIC TERRESTRIAL LABORATORY

Active Response

Gravity Offload

System (ARGOS) 

Virtual Reality & 

Hybrid Reality

Laboratories

International 

Space Station

Others ... Others ...

Field Training

Areas

Others ...

Neutral Buoyancy

Laboratory (NBL)

Aquarius Reef 

Base (NEEMO) 

Neutral Buoyancy 

Facility

Extreme 

Environments

(ex. Antarctica)

Geo-Science 

Field Exercises

& Sites

Environments for Operational Field Testing

7
EVA Goals for Operational Field Tests

Extravehicular Activity Goals

• Advance the future of the EVA system and operations

• Understand EVA gaps and concepts of operations for a wide range of Exploration 

destinations being considered by NASA

• Determine and document closures to gaps in EVA capabilities for Exploration missions 

and inform the EVA Systems Maturation Team (SMT) 

• Develop and document concepts of operations for EVA at the Exploration destinations

• Realize the needs of EVA tools and hardware and enable the development of 

requirements and designs

Benefits of Operational Field Testing

• Concepts of operations can be accurately tested to determine their viability and changes

• Utilization of real science allows for investigation of end-to-end concepts of operations, 

from both an Earth-based Science Team and the in-situ EVA crew

• Purpose-built prototype hardware can be evaluated in a field test to provide data for 

design maturation

• Communication latencies can be simulated in an operational environment in order to 

assess the con ops and needs associated with EVAs

• A range of destinations can be evaluated

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 8
Exploration Integration & EVA Field Tests: NEEMO

(NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations)

NEEMO is a project that utilizes Aquarius, the only operational undersea research facility in the

world, as a setting for accomplishing a host of NASA and synergistic partner objectives

• Funded by partners and collaborators from across NASA centers, DoD, universities, and industry

• 1-2 missions/year, 10 – 20 days in length

• Shore side Mission Control, staffed by experienced operators

• Crew largely consists of astronauts from CB and IPs, along with PIs and engineers

• Missions have high operational rigor by design (timelines, procedures, etc.)

• Enables evaluation of both IVA and EVA objectives

• Allows for evaluations of end-to-end concepts of operations with crew that are in-situ in a true 

extreme environment

• Provides for flight-like interactions between the crew and an MCC Science Team, including 

over comm latencies

• Enables a testing ground for hardware and tool concepts on the start of the road to flight

• Currently the primary field test for Exploration EVA & integrated science operations

• Analog testing dates:

• Previous mission: July 21- Aug 5, 2016

• Next mission: TBD (Summer 2017)

9

D. Coan, 11/17/2016
SCIENCE PLANETARY SCIENCE RELEVANCE OF MISSIONS

 Sampling Procedures

 Sampling Techniques

 Collection Tools

 Contamination

 Storage & Transport 

Curation

Research

Exploration

Astromaterials 

 Remote Sensing

 In-situ 

Instrumentation

 High-grading Samples 

 Context Descriptions

 Documentation

 Science Operations

 Operational Flexibility

 Human-Robot Ops

 Crew Science Training

 EVA science activities include 

deployment of handheld 

instrumentation, context 

descriptions, imaging, and 

sampling

 Operational field testing allows 

for evaluations of sample 

collection tools, deployable 

instruments, and EVA concepts 

of operations

 Geoscience activities at 

analogs such as RATS and RISE 

directly correlate to planetary 

exploration

 The marine science activities 

and associated research 

objectives at NEEMO serve as a 

appropriate proxy for 

planetary surface exploration 

activities

 Integration, coordination, and 

education from diverse 

disciplines and organizations

Planetary Science Proxies & Relevance

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 10
INTEGRATED EVA SCIENCE 

OPERATIONS

 Examine con ops that enable

interaction between the MCC &

the crew over a long comm

latency including:

• Interaction with an 

integrated Science Team

• Authentic scientific 

objectives and hypothesis

• “Flexecution” 

methodology

PIONEERING TASKS

 Evaluate early prototype

construction hardware and

techniques

 Deploy, test, and evaluate a

prototype comm system

 Simulated a multi-phased

“pioneering” task

JOINT ROBOTIC-EVA 

OPERATIONS

 Joint human-robot operations

 Autonomous site navigation and

precision execution for tool

handoff/delivery & diver leading

 IV-control for localization,

detailed navigation, situational

awareness, inspection, and

intervention

NAVIGATION, MAP, & 

TRAVERSE PLANNING

 Assessed tool needs for

navigation

 Traverse plan and map on cue

cards showed crew regions and

paths, and tasks to complete

 Utilized Doppler relative nav

system for crew to find

ROI/zones

OPERATIONS

WITH COMMUNICATION LATENCY CON OPS

OPERATIONS CONCEPTS AT NEEMO

ST

IV

EV

IV

= voice

= text

= data

Concepts of Operations Evaluations

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 11
ELECTRONIC CUE CARDS

 Evaluated electronic cue cards

for EVA crew that allow them to

operate more effectively and

offload IV tasks

 Additional crew autonomy

requires further access to

information in their hands

 Potential “one-device” for cue

cards/procedures, images/video,

instrument control, etc.

SCIENCE SAMPLING TOOLS 

& GEOLOGY SAMPLING KIT

 Test EVA tools and hardware for

science sampling

 Evaluated Integrated Geology

Sampling System for collecting

geology & astrobiology samples

 Sample Briefcase houses various

end effectors with two different

drivers (manual and powered)

 Analyzed methods to minimize

EV crew contaminating an area

IV SUPPORT SYSTEM

 Evaluated types of tools the IV

crewmember needs to

effectively handle the large

amount of EVA information while

directing EVA

 Evaluated effective setup in a

constrained location

 Multiple displays included

camera feeds, timeline,

nav/comm/sub systems,

procedures, logs, etc.

EQUIPMENT HARDWARE EVALUATIONS AT NEEMO

Hardware Evaluations

12

TRANSPORTATION & 

STOWAGE OF TOOLS

 Evaluated EVA hardware and

operations for transporting and

stowing tools and samples

 Initial look at sled/cart options

for large equipment transport

 Evaluated sling bag options for

small items & easy access

(sample markers, hand tools,

electronics, etc.)

D. Coan, 11/17/2016
SEATEST 2 NBL/MACES NEEMO 18/19 NEEMO 20 NEEMO 21

Example of Evolution Across Missions: Powered Rock Chip Hammer

NEEMO 20 NEEMO 21

Powered Core Sampler

SEATEST 2

NEEMO 18 NEEMO 19

Deep Core Drill

Surface Sampler Evolution

NEEMO 21 NEEMO 20 2014

Evolution of Tools for Road-to-Flight

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 13
EVA Gap Closure Inputs

EQUIPMENT

SCIENCE OPERATIONS

EVA Gap Closures from NEEMO 21 (2016)

14

Nursery Construction

Nursery Science

N20 Reef Follow-up Science

Reef Exploration Science

Integrated EVA Science Operations

EVA Traverse Planning & Maps

EVA Navigation

Joint EVA-Robotic Operations

Effects of Comm Latency on Ops

EVA Digital Cue Cards

IV Support System

Science Sampling Tools

Geoscience Sampling Kit

Tool Transportation

Integrated EVA Flight Control

Flexible Execution Methodology for EVA Science Operations 

in Undefined Environments

Tools for Interacting with EVA Over a Comm Latency

IV Support System for EVA Operations

Display (EVA Integrated Camera)

Navigation (EVA Short Distance Navigation)

Tools for Science Sampling on a Surface EVA

Tool Caddy Device on a Surface EVA

EVA-Robotic (Man-Machine) Work System

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Intra-Vehicular Experiments & Evaluations

Miniaturized Exercise 

Device MED 2.0

Evaluations

MobiPV 

Evaluation

Aquapad 

Evaluation

Nutritional 

Assessment Tool

EVA Swab Tool

Miniaturized DNA 

Sequencer

Portable Sensorimotor 

Assessment Platform (PSAP)

HoloLens for Cargo 

Transfer Assessment

Playbook - Timeline Tool

VEGA Telehealth -

Portable monitoring devices

IHMC - Multi-Omic Study

Teloregen - Regeneration Study

15
Other EVA & Science Operational Field Tests

• A number of other analogs have been used in the past to varying degrees 

for evaluation of EVA and science operations

• These are not actively being used by EVA today

• EVA is open to being involved in some of these in the future if the 

cost/benefit trade proves favorable

• Research And Technology Studies (RATS)

• RATS 2012 was an asteroid analog mission

• Took place at NASA JSC

• EVAs conducted in VR Lab and on ARGOS

• Vehicle/asteroid sim was tied to VR lab/EVA sim to allow vehicle and EV 

interaction

• Reliable and cost-efficient test and validation of NASA next-generation human 

exploration mission concepts

• Mission tested techniques, tools, planning, and communication protocols

• Matured operational concepts and technologies through integrated 

demonstrations

• Exercised overall ‘MCC style’ coordination between hardware, procedures, 

crew operations, mission control operations, science team operations, and 

engineering team

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 16
Other EVA & Science Operational Field Tests

• Desert RATS

• Missions were a planetary analog 

• Took place at the Black Point Lava Flow near Flagstaff, AZ

• Provided environment analogous to Moon and/or Mars, with crew conducting 

geoscience operations

• Allowed immersion of whole team, both flight crew and flight controllers

• Geoscience data still utilized for research

• SSERVI RIS4E

• RIS4E: Remote, In Situ and Synchrotron Studies for Science and Exploration

• SSERVI-funded project that investigates the effects of incorporating field portable 

instrumentation for in situ measurements into scientific EVA timelines

• Examines the most effective instruments for answering science questions and 

how they integrate with the larger mission architecture

• Fundamental science questions serve as basis for understanding how to operate 

on planetary surfaces

• RIS4E analog work at Kilauea, HI, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, NM

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 17
Other Analogs

• In-Situ Resource Utilization

• Planetary analog mission

• Hardware tested under stressful environmental conditions

• Expands scope of international involvement and mission criticality for 

hardware and remote test operations

• Expands integration of science and technology 

• Streamlines path to flight

• BASALT

• Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains

• Funded by NASA SMD ROSES-2014 Program Element C.14 (PSTAR) 

• Objectives: Investigate terrestrial volcanic terrains and their habitability 

as analog environments for early and present-day Mars through 4 field 

deployments in 2015–2019.

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 18
Benefits of Operational Field Tests for Exploration & EVA

• Provides a means of advancing Human Spaceflight objectives by evaluating 

Exploration & EVA concepts of operations and hardware/tool prototypes in 

mission environments 

• Enables authentic science objectives by directly conducting geoscience 

operations or utilizing proxy marine science to test relevant operations concepts

• Allows for end-to-end testing of techniques and hardware in an operational 

scenario, driving out results for things that do and do not work in a mission 

situation

• Provides an understanding of system and architectural interactions between 

Operations, Engineering, and Science

• Evaluates objectives mapped to specific needs and knowledge/technology gaps

• Provides data for hardware design maturation to assist in road-to-flight

• Ties in the right expertise to evaluate concepts being worked on across the 

agency

• Benefits programs from ISS to Exploration

• Enhances relationships with international partners, academia, and other NASA 

organizations

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 19
D. Coan, 11/17/2016

Advanced Manufacturing

• Rapid prototyping (additive 

manufacturing) 

• 3D printing of tools

• Repairing hardware with 3D 

printed components

• Rapid delivery of unforeseen 

components

• Information technologies 

• Advanced robotics and 

intelligent systems 

• Automation 

• Control systems

Maritime

• Underwater science operations

• Construction of underwater 

structures with diver-operated 

latching/bolting mechanisms

• Long term exposure tests for 

underwater connectors and 

materials

• Underwater tools

• Navigation

• Diver-Robotic joint operations 

and interactions

Medicine

• Telemedicine

• Mixed-reality remote assisted 

medical treatment

• Confined space exercise at 

remote destinations

• Miniaturized DNA sequencing

• Portable breathing monitor

• Physiological (telomere) change 

in extreme environment

• Small team & solo extreme 

environment rescue

Terrestrial Industry Applications

20
Future of Operational Field Tests

• EVA Office

• Currently looking at next round of operational field testing 

needs

• Continued focus on objectives that facilitate closure of SMT 

gaps and updates to the Exploration EVA Concepts of 

Operations document 

• Will further evaluate different types of EVA tasks

• Science operations 

• Pioneering

• Examining other potential testing opportunities

• NEEMO

• Potential mission in July 2017 (and subsequent years)

• Significant focus on EVA and Science objectives

• SSERVI RIS4E

• Upcoming deployments in 2016, 2017, and 2018

• EVA will be looking at possible collaboration 

• BASALT

• Upcoming deployments in 2016 and 2017

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 21
• NASA is always looking for collaboration with external groups to help facilitate development of the next 

generation spaceflight systems for EVA

• https://www.nasa.gov/suitup

• Primary Exploration EVA Office POCs: 

• Brian Johnson (brian.j.johnson@nasa.gov) 

• Jesse Buffington (jesse.a.buffington@nasa.gov) 

• David Coan (david.coan@nasa.gov)

• If interested in collaborating on NEEMO (esp. NEEMO 22 in Summer 2017)

• NEEMO Project Lead: Bill Todd (william.l.todd@nasa.gov) 

• NEEMO Mission Director: Marc Reagan (marcum.l.reagan@nasa.gov) 

• NEEMO EVA Lead: David Coan (david.coan@nasa.gov)

• NEEMO Science Operations Lead: Trevor Graff (trevor.g.graff@nasa.gov)

• If interested in collaborating on SSERVI RIS4E

• Jacob Bleacher (jacob.e.bleacher@nasa.gov)

• Kelsey Young (kelsey.e.young@nasa.gov)

Collaborating on Operational Field Tests

D. Coan, 11/17/2016 22