Transcript Document

April 2004
Darin Skelly
NASA Kennedy Space Center
Transformational
Spaceport & Range Technologies
Reducing the cost of sustained operations through technology infusion
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– Outdated and unique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
• Root Cause: Vehicle-centric rather than space transportation-centric
• Recommendation: Walker report - November 2002
“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”
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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
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Future Challenges
Current Types of Missions Supported by U.S. Space Launch Infrastructure
ELV Launches
Small, Medium, Heavy
Space Shuttle Launches
SRB Recovery, Landings
T&E – ICBMs, SLBMs,
missile defense, aeronautical
Suborbital sounding
rocket launches
Additional Mission Types Likely to Require Future Space Launch Infrastructure Support
More complex missile Commercial Orbital
defense tests
and Suborbital RLVs
NASA
Exploration
Initiative Crew
Launches
Increasingly faster
hypersonic vehicles
National Aerospace
Initiative (NAI)
Operationally
Responsive
Space (ORS) missions
Emerging requirements will drive the need for upgrades
to the infrastructure of spaceports and ranges
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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
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Spiral Development Approach
Mass Public Space Transportation Era
• Test & Demonstration
• Standardization
• Infusion of Advanced Technologies
Revolutionary vehicle and propulsion technologies bring
about safe, routine, affordable commercial space
transportation. This era begins with development and
application of enabling technologies.
Responsive Space Launch and Human Exploration Era
Evolutionary technology development enables
responsive space lift and extended human exploration
activities to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
Safe, Routine, Affordable Commercial Space Travel
Transformational Technology Era
2025 ORS – Horizontal Launch (Military Space Plane)
Technology development
programs enable future
capabilities
2015-2020 Human Lunar Expedition
2020- Human Exploration Beyond the Moon
2010 Operationally Responsive Spacelift (ORS) – Vertical Launch
2006 Initiate Modernization Activities (FIRST Program)
2000 2004
2010
2015
2020
2030
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2050
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Critical Technology Areas for Responsiveness
Range Technology Areas
Tracking & Surveillance
Communication
Architectures
Telemetry
Systems
Weather Systems
Cross-Cutting
Spaceport Technology Areas
Decision Making
Advanced Servicing
Technologies
Command, Control & Monitoring
Scheduling & Coordination of
Assets
Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program
Rapid Handling /
Transport & Assembly
Inspection
& System Verification
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Technology Demonstrations
Test 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
Flight demonstrations
– Space-based, mobile, and
deployable range assets
– Integration of command, tracking
and surveillance
– HAAs and UAVs in “shadow”
mode
Flight Demonstration
TDRS
F-15B
DFRC ATF
WSC
DFRC MCC
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
February 6, 2002
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Summary
• 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
Major, rapid changes in space
transportation are coming.
The infrastructure must advance.
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Darin Skelly
Cris Guidi
NASA
Ph # (321) 861-3639
Email: [email protected]
NASA
Ph # (321) 867-7864
Email: [email protected]
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