Risk Assessment Visualization Study for Lunar Outpost Landing Zone Surface Preparation

Landing zone surface preparation is one of the first teleoperated remote lunar construction activities to occur in NASA's plans for the buildup of a lunar outpost. This paper describes a risk assessment visualization study performed for a lunar outpost landing/launch pad excavation and construction scenario. A Visualization Analysis Sequencing Technique (VAST^TM), developed by XArc Corp, was applied to the risk assessment. VAST^TM provides visual "snapshots" of the sequence of an operational process simulated over time to drive out and understand complex variables in systems planning. Presented is an illustrated sequence of the outpost buildup with pictorials of mission snapshots to play out the operational scenario and visualize the sequence of risks along the way to how the prepared landing zone gets to its ready state in time for arrival of the next crewed Altair lunar lander. The study identified and ranked operational risks according to risk matrix priority scoring using Constellation Program criteria for risk consequence scoring. Recommended mitigation strategies are discussed.