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Appendix C
Representative Future Space Activities
Study the Galaxy and the Universe
Acquire better observations across the electromagnetic spectrum
• | gamma and x-ray imaging and spectroscopic follow-on investigations |
• | deployment of single-element optical instrumentation at 1 to 10 meter scales |
• | space- and lunar-based radio and optical interferometer deployment at 10 to 100 meter scales |
• | coupled space-Earth interferometer systems |
• | study the interstellar medium with a submillimeter telescope |
• | investigate cosmic microwave background |
• | advanced infrared and near/far ultraviolet missions |
• | cosmic ray identification and energy measurement campaigns |
Survey cosmic rays and interstellar gas as samples of extra-solar matter
• | interstellar probe |
• | probe for 1,000 astronomical unit scale distances |
Carry out basic new tests of gravitational theory
• | detect and understand gravitational waves |
Search for life beyond our solar system
• | detect and image planets in other solar systems |
• | search for signals from extraterrestrials |
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Study and Explore the Solar System
Conduct unmanned missions to objects in the solar system to investigate
near-planet
space environments, atmospheres, surfaces, and interiors
• | fly-by missions |
• | orbiters and observational platforms |
• | landers and rovers with and without sample return |
• | direct atmospheric probes and aerobots |
• | fleets of microprobes, microlanders, and microrovers |
• | terrestrial surface sensor networks |
Study interaction among Sun, Earth, and heliosphere
• | stereoscopic sun observations |
• | near-field solar probe to understand solar structure and dynamics |
• | explore coupling between solar radiation and Earth's atmosphere, magnetosphere, and plasmasphere |
• | study solar plasma transport and energization, including solar wind sample return and investigation of coronal mass ejections |
Conduct human missions to explore the Moon, Mars, and the asteroids
Establish long-term human presence in space
• | low-Earth orbit (LEO) and beyond-LEO space habitats |
• | lunar and Martian bases |
Study the Earth
Establish better understanding of global processes through remote sensing
• | investigate seasonal, interannual, and long-term variability in: | ||
| land cover and use | ||
| atmospheric chemistry and dynamics from troposphere to mesosphere | ||
| the dynamics of the ocean and the cryosphere | ||
| interactions among biospheric systems | ||
• | natural hazard prediction and management | ||
• | geodesic missions | ||
• | weather prediction | ||
• | environmental and infrastructure management | ||
• | resource identification and management |
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Provide Other Services to Users on Earth
Provide communications services to users on Earth
• | mobile communications |
• | direct broadcast communications |
• | fixed-service communications |
• | geographic information systems |
Expand navigation services to launch vehicles and spacecraft at all altitudes
Space Operations and Infrastructure
Preserve the near-Earth environment
• | expanded space debris tracking system |
• | space debris cleanup |
Utilize off-Earth resources for terrestrial and space activities
• | tests of robotic utilization of local resources |
• | surface mining of planets and small bodies (e.g., asteroids, comets) |
Study the effects of microgravity
• | biological processes |
• | effects of microgravity on humans |
• | physical processes |
• | fluid mechanics and transfer |
• | combustion |
• | chemical processes |
Create new services
• | spacecraft staging, assembly, and refurbishing services |
• | point-to-point transport on Earth via space |
• | space-based power depots for use in terrestrial activities and transmission to spacecraft and planetary bases |
• | manufacturing (materials and pharmaceuticals) in space |
• | space tourism |
• | disposal of hazardous materials |
• | space-based cultural/entertainment activities |