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Reducing the cost of sustained operations through technology infusion
April 2004
Darin Skelly NASA Kennedy Space Center
TransformationalSpaceport & Range
Technologies
2Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program
Current State of Space Access
• 22 global spaceports (Launch sites)
• Caters to those who use it– Launch sites isolated from
each other– Outdated and unique
technology and equipment
– Pads are user specific
– Lack of standardization
“The operational model for a next generation space launch vehicle needs to move incrementally closer to the turnaround capabilities of today’s passenger airlines operations”
• Recommendation: Walker report - November 2002
• Root Cause: Vehicle-centric rather than space transportation-centric
3Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program
Current Spaceport and Range Challenges• Lack of interoperability
• Labor-intensive launch and mission operations
• Inadequate tracking and surveillance coverage
• Risk models use conservative parameters
• Handling of hazardous commodities • Intricate and complex assembly
operations
• Disjointed data systems
• Frequency spectrum and bandwidth for telemetry is limited
4Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program
Future Challenges
Emerging requirements will drive the need for upgrades to the infrastructure of spaceports and ranges
Current Types of Missions Supported by U.S. Space Launch Infrastructure
ELV Launches Space Shuttle Launches T&E – ICBMs, SLBMs, Suborbital sounding Small, Medium, Heavy SRB Recovery, Landings missile defense, aeronautical rocket launches
Commercial Orbitaland Suborbital RLVs
Increasingly fasterhypersonic vehicles National Aerospace
Initiative (NAI)More complex missile
defense tests
Additional Mission Types Likely to Require Future Space Launch Infrastructure Support
OperationallyResponsive
Space (ORS) missions
NASA Exploration
Initiative Crew Launches
5Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program
Vision for Tomorrow
• High flight rates– Increase responsiveness– Support concurrent operations– Reduce costs
• Seamlessly integrated with National Airspace System – Global coverage
• Nationally Interoperable – Implement standardization– Enhance flexibility & adaptability
6Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program
Spiral Development ApproachMass Public Space Transportation Era
Transformational Technology Era
Responsive Space Launch and Human Exploration Era
Technology development programs enable future capabilities
2015-2020 Human Lunar Expedition 2020- Human Exploration Beyond the Moon
Safe, Routine, Affordable Commercial Space Travel
2010 Operationally Responsive Spacelift (ORS) – Vertical Launch
Evolutionary technology development enables responsive space lift and extended human exploration activities to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
2006 Initiate Modernization Activities (FIRST Program)
Revolutionary vehicle and propulsion technologies bring about safe, routine, affordable commercial space transportation. This era begins with development and application of enabling technologies.
2025 ORS – Horizontal Launch (Military Space Plane)
2000 21002004 2010 2015 2020 2030 2050
• Test & Demonstration • Standardization• Infusion of Advanced Technologies
7Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program
Spaceport Technology AreasRange Technology Areas
Scheduling & Coordination of Assets
Advanced Servicing Technologies
Rapid Handling / Transport & Assembly
Inspection& System Verification
Command, Control & Monitoring
Tracking & Surveillance
CommunicationArchitectures
TelemetrySystems
Weather Systems
Decision Making
Cross-Cutting
Critical Technology Areas for Responsiveness
8Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program
Technology DemonstrationsTest and evaluation (T&E) fills the Technology Readiness Level Gap
Ground demonstrations– Autonomous Umbilicals
– Rapid propellant loading techniques
– Launch Exhaust Management Validation
– Vibro-acoustic Evaluation
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
21
February 6, 2002
Flight Demonstration
WSC
DFRC MCC
DFRC ATF
F-15B
TDRS
Flight demonstrations– Space-based, mobile, and deployable
range assets– Integration of command, tracking
and surveillance– HAAs and UAVs in “shadow” mode
9Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program
Summary
Major, rapid changes in space transportation are coming.
The infrastructure must advance.
• Transform current space transportation system to a more “airport-like” operation
• Multi-agency cooperative effort to pursue a national vision
• Investment must be made towards technology development for spaceport and range technologies
• Extensive test and evaluation (T&E) must be performed
10Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program
Darin SkellyNASA
Ph # (321) 861-3639Email: [email protected]
Cris GuidiNASA
Ph # (321) 867-7864Email: [email protected]