Due to its distance from Jupiter’s powerful radiation belt, Callisto is subject to only 0.01 rem a day. When NASA carried out a study called HOPE (Revolutionary Concepts for Human Outer Planet Exploration) regarding the future exploration of the Solar System, the target chosen was Callisto. It could be possible to build a surface base that would produce fuel for further exploration of the Solar System. Callisto has long been considered the most suitable place for a human base for future exploration of the Jovian system.
– Callisto is the fourth moon of Jupiter: mostly outside of radiation belts
– About the size of the planet Mercury, surface at 1/8 G
– Most heavily cratered place in the solar system
– Covered with ice and asteroid dust
Technology Assumptions
• Advanced space suits
– Adequate radiation and cold temperature protection enable up to 15 3-hour excursions during a 30-day Callisto surface stay
• Precision landing capabilities
– Landing target can be reached with an error of no more than 30 meters
• Autonomous deployment and operation of surface systems
– Habitat, power system, ISRU system, and navigation/communication system can all be autonomously deployed before crew arrival
• Prevention of loss during liquid cryogen transfer over 30+ meters
• Super-cold materials
– Metals that withstand 100 K enable surface vehicle mechanisms
– Structural materials that are flexible at 100 K enable inflatable surface hab design
• Brayton nuclear reactor
– Power system can deliver 400 kWe power at a mass of 30kg/kW
SOURCE – NASA Revolutionary Concepts for Human Outer Planet Exploration (HOPE) by Pat Troutman of NASA Langley Research Center, Kristen Bethke, Princeton University
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
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