Russia Adv – 1ac

IL – NASA = Key

NASA is vital – a pre-cursor mission is a pre-requisite to future NEO exploration

Landis et al, 08 (*Rob R., AIAA member and NASA Johnson Space Center, Mission Operations Directorate, **David J. Korsmeyer, AIAA member and NASA Ames Research Center, Intelligent Systems Division, ***Paul A. Abell, Research Scientist, Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, Arizona and NASA Johnson Space Center, Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science,****Daniel R. Adamo, AIAA member and Trajectory Consultant, *****Thomas D. Jones, AIAA member and Association of Space Explorers, “A Piloted Orion Flight to a Near-Earth Object: A Feasibility Study”, http://pdf.aiaa.org/...PV2008_3550.pdf) AFL
At the moment, there are no precursor missions planned to visit NEOs to which human crews might some day be sent to explore. Yet, a precursor mission would be required in order to maximize crew safety and efficiency of mission operations at any candidate NEO. Such an in-depth reconnaissance by small robotic spacecraft would help to identify the general characteristics of the potential NEO selected for study, and provide an important synergy between the robotic scientific programs of SMD and the human exploration of ESMD. Knowledge of such things as the gravitational field, object shape, surface topography, and general composition would aid in planning for later CEV proximity operations at the NEO. Precursor missions would also be useful to identify potential hazards to the CEV (and any of its deployable assets) such as the presence of satellites, or non-benign surface morphologies, which may not be detectable from previous ground-based observations. The precursor spacecraft should ideally have a visible camera for surface feature characterization, and a spectrometer capable of obtaining surface spectra in both visible and infrared wavelengths for compositional investigation. Other instruments such as a laser altimeter for surface topography and an x-ray/gamma ray spectrometer for elemental distribution may also be useful for constraining additional characteristics of the NEO. It should be noted that the data from all of the instruments on the precursor spacecraft will add to the current body of knowledge of NEOs in addition to characterizing initial potential mission targets for the CEV.

IL – Interdepartment Synergy

Nuclear Propulsion key to inter-department synergy

Thangavelu 09—Madhu, Professor at USC, Space Projects Director @ Calearth Institute, Advisory Board Member @ the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Lunar Base Design Award recipient from the National Space Foundation (Jul 06, 2009 “Seeking Synergy To Return To The Moon” http://www.moondaily.com/reports/Seeking_Synergy_To_Return_To_The_Moon_999.html)
At the start of the Obama administration, our young and energetic president made clear that NASA must shed its ennui and business as usual attitude and get back to executing some bold and daring projects. He appointed a transition team to look into changes. At that time, I recall there was talk of bringing various seemingly disparate agencies and departments together, especially the Department of Defense, to seek out and employ inherent synergies, to make NASA projects happen faster, better and cheaper(remember that mantra from another era?)and most of all, execute awe-inspiring missions! Even though NASA has sought such synergies in the past and continues to engage in such activities today, this call from the new administration set many minds thinking about the possibilities, in the light of a new age of internet broadband communications and advanced information technologies, routinely in use for interagency and governmental intra-departmental support. What are some of the agencies and how could they provide vital and timely, synergetic support to NASA human spaceflight goals and missions, and for "Return the Moon" missions in particular, in the context of the prevailing economic downturn? The Department of Energy, for instance, could outfit NASA missions with a variety of nuclear power sources for lunar habitats, scientific payloads and spacecraft, based on work already accomplished decades ago. A whole new class of highly efficient nuclear propulsion systems and bimodal systems(those which supply both power and propulsion) also await in the wings, once such nuclear systems become available to the civilian space program. The various branches of our Department of Defense have had successful symbiotic relationships with the civilian space program and could step up synergetic activities to help tighten both schedule and budget. For example, the USAF currently fields launchers which could be used for early return to the Moon missions, while the new family of Ares vehicles are being tested and certified. This could narrow the gap in heavy lift launch capability that seems to be hounding missions projected in the 2010-2014 timeframe, following shuttle retirement. Since the early precursor activity suggest robotic and cargo missions to the Moon, crew rating of these existing heavy lift vehicles may not be a prime concern. However, it is crucial that the development of much larger launchers continue unhampered because ambitious missions planned and their payloads and support logistics involved clearly indicate the need for them, even while maturing a variety of critical "living off the land" technologies. The US Navy has operated nuclear submarines for half a century and accumulated much information on endurance-class missions which could provide critical nuclear power systems operations data and human factors experience. The Navy has also had a long standing relationship with NASA in crew recovery operations and could possibly support a global recovery or rescue mission, allowing round-the-clock abort operations from anywhere on the lunar surface. This crucial last minute scenario, if things go wrong during their tour of duty on the Moon, would otherwise require major additional investment in spacecraft capability. The US Army's involvement goes back to the time of the beginning of US manned spaceflight when advanced construction teams outlined lunar base projects such as Project Horizon. Equipment, strategies and techniques employed in erecting battlefield shelters today could provide concept springboards for rapid deployment of habitats and allied infrastructure on the Moon
Interagency Cooperation leads to EFFECTIVE nuclear deflection of asteroids
Binzel et al 10  (Richard P. Binzel, Professor of Planetary Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Clark R. Chapman, Senior Scientist, Southwest Research Institute; Lindley N. Johnson, Program Executive, Near-Earth Object Observations Program, HQ NASA; Thomas D. Jones, Visiting, Senior Research Scientist, Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, (Task Force Co-Chair); Russell L. Schweickart, Chairman, B612 Foundation, (Task Force Co-Chair); Brian Wilcox, Principal Member of Technical Staff, Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Donald K. Yeomans, Manager, Near-Earth Object Program Office, Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Bette Siegel,Executive Secretary, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. HQ NASA; (“Report of the NASA Advisory Council Ad Hoc Task Force on Planetary Defense,” Ad Hoc Task Force on Planetary Defense, http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/490945main_10-10_TFPD.pdf) 
4.3. Explosive Technologies. Although nuclear explosives are considered a rarely needed and last-resort deflection option, it is prudent that NASA should collaborate with the Department of Energy and Department of Defense to develop an analytic research program to explore the applicability, utilization, and design of nuclear explosion technology for NEO deflection. If a large NEO deflection demands a total impulse greater than that deliverable via multiple kinetic impactors, then detonation of a nuclear device in standoff or other mode may be necessary to avert an Earth impact. Until non-nuclear techniques of comparable capability are proven, NASA should collaborate in nuclear deflection technique analysis and simulation. 
Interagency coop key to efficiency

CPIAC 11 – the Chemical Propulsion Information Analysis Center (APRIL 6, 2011 “It doesn’t take a Rocket Scientist…” http://science.dodlive.mil/2011/04/06/it-doesn%E2%80%99t-take-a-rocket-scientist%E2%80%A6/)
Improving efficiency and expediency when resources are scarce is hardly a new concept. In fact, pick any point in history, and you’ll hear people talking about how they’ve faced similar constraints. Striving for efficiencies in the face of constraints may be an age-old concept, but it’s as important today as it ever was. Reflecting on past successes can remind us of what we can achieve and allow for us to take a fresh look at why we were able to do so. In the rocket propulsion community, one of our greatest successes is a continuing drive for joint agency collaboration. This is especially true in the development and fielding of new technologies. Why is joint agency collaboration so important you may ask? Because there are few among us who haven’t had that moment in their career when we finally realized that someone else, somewhere out there, was working on the same problem we were – and if we were lucky, they had already solved it, and if very lucky, that they were willing to share. In a time when resources are scarce, joint agency collaboration connects people by tearing down walls and allows for the transition from “silo” to “community.”
Inter department cooperation is possible and normal means—Past tech proves

UPI 09—United Press International (3/22/2009 “NASA Looks To Department Of Energy For Nuclear Space Tech” http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/NASA_plans_to_send_new_robot_to_Jupiter.html)
The Department of Energy's (DOE) Naval Reactors (NR) Program has joined NASA in its effort to investigate and develop space nuclear power and propulsion technologies for civilian applications. These activities could enable unprecedented space exploration missions and scientific return unachievable with current technology. NR brings 50-plus years of practical experience in developing safe, rugged, reliable, compact and long-lived reactor systems designed to operate in unforgiving environments. NR is a joint DOE and Department of the Navy organization responsible for all aspects of naval nuclear propulsion. The partnership is responsible for developing the first NASA spacecraft, the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO), that will take advantage of a nuclear-reactor energy source for exploring our solar system. JIMO will visit Jupiter's three icy moons, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa. These icy worlds, in particular Europa, are believed to have liquid-water oceans, under a thick layer of ice on their surfaces, which could potentially harbor life. The reactor system will provide substantially more electrical power. This will greatly enhance the capability of ion-drive propulsion, the number and variety of scientific instruments on the spacecraft, the rate of data transmission, and orbital maneuvering around Jupiter's moons. "NASA sought this partnership because NR has an enduring commitment to safety and environmental stewardship that is a requirement for an undertaking of this magnitude, " said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. "This partnership will help ensure the safe development and use of a space-fission reactor to enable unparalleled science and discovery as we explore the solar system and beyond. This work is an integral piece of the President's exploration agenda and without it the exploration agenda is compromised," Administrator O'Keefe said. NASA, through its newly created Office of Exploration Systems, expects that several reactor modules of the same or similar design as that required for JIMO would be developed for use on future exploration missions. NR will direct and oversee the development, design and delivery of, and operational support for these civilian reactor modules. The Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, another DOE organization with extensive nuclear-reactor development experience, will retain responsibility for supporting NASA's other space nuclear technology efforts, including long-term space-reactor science and technology development not associated with NR's responsibilities. All activities in support of NASA will be conducted as part of NR's civilian responsibilities for the National Nuclear Security Administration, a semi-autonomous agency of DOE. Activities in support of NASA are not part of NR's Navy responsibilities or any Department of Defense activities. This partnership with NASA is consistent with NR's history of supporting fission-reactor work for civilian applications, including the first U.S. commercial production of electricity from nuclear power at the Shippingport Atomic Power Station. NASA will fund all work under the partnership. Specific roles and responsibilities will be defined in Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements currently being drafted by NASA and NR. NR and the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy will also review capabilities and facilities at DOE laboratories outside NR for consideration in support of JIMO and other Project Prometheus activities. Established in 2003, Project Prometheus is developing radioisotope electric power sources for use in space and on planets or moons, as well as new fission-reactor power sources for advanced missions into deep space requiring higher power levels for science observations, propulsion, communications and life support systems.