1. Reducing the cost of sustained operations through technology infusion
Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee
Advanced Spaceport Technologies Working Group
Advanced Range Technologies Working Group
Reducing the cost of sustained operations through technology infusion
Keith Britton
NASA KSC
October 2004

2. The ARTWG & ASTWG : Responding to National Needs
U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, “Reducing Launch Operations Costs: New Technologies and Practices”, OTA-TM-ISC-28
“ Reducing these costs, therefore, should be a critical part of any effort to reduce the life-cycle cost of a space transportation system.”
Presidential Directed OSTP & NSC Report: The Future Management and Use of the U.S. Space Launch Bases and Ranges
“The Air Force and NASA should develop a plan to examine, explore, and proceed with next-generation range technology development….”
Defense Science Board Summer 2001 Study (related to technology development in general)
“…foster “relationships” and create new incentives with critical technology sectors to motivate them to apply their knowledge and technologies to critical national security challenges.”
Presidential Directed Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry
“The federal government must assume responsibility for sustaining, modernizing, and providing critical, often high-risk, defense-related technologies and infrastructure when it is in the nation’s interest. This includes critical design capabilities, solid rocket boosters, radiation hardening, space launch infrastructure, critical research, …”
NASA, The Vision for Space Exploration
“ NASA will focus on technology innovations that reduce the cost of sustained space operations”. “The Vision is not about one-time events and, thus, costs will be reduced to maintain the affordability of the vision”
“Develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures both to explore and to support decisions about the destinations for human exploration;”
President’s Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy
“Finding 4 – The commission finds that successful development of identified enabling technologies will be critical to attainment of exploration objectives within reasonable scheduled an and affordable costs. …17 areas for initial focus.. …We identify the following enabling technologies, which are not yet prioritized:…
Transformational spaceport and range technologies – launch site infrastructure and range capabilities for the crew exploration vehicle and advanced heavy lift vehicles.”
Sept 1988
Feb 2000
May 2002
Nov 2002
Feb 2004
There is a long history of studies that have identify the need for modernized spaceport and range infrastructures.
Most recently the President’s Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy has identified the transformational spaceport and range technologies as one of 17 areas of initial focus.
Highlight 2000 Presidential Directive Via OSTP As genesis for ARTWG.
ASTWG was a natural outgrowth of ARTWG.
Highlight latest effort identifying need for Transformational Spaceport and Rangr “Aldridge Report.
June 2004

3. National 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

4. What is the ARTWG & ASTWG: Responding to a National Need
Advanced Range Technology Working Group (ARTWG):
Response to Presidential Directed OSTP & NSC Report, “The Future Management And Use Of The U.S. Space Launch Bases And Ranges,” February 2000
Focus on next-generation range technologies
MOA between NASA/Code M, and AF Space Command to jointly develop strategy
Co-Chairs from NASA/KSC & AF Space Command
Advanced Spaceport Technology Working Group (ASTWG):
Focus on next-generation ground processing technologies
Chaired by NASA KSC, Vice Chair Executive Director Aerospace States Association
Nationally Adopted Strategic Roadmaps
National forums for all United States parties who have an interest in range and spaceport technology development
More than 500+ subject matter experts from across the nation
Over 90 government, industry and academic organizations involved
Nationally adopted roadmaps developed which identify key technologies to enable space exploration
Baseline Reports
Objective: Create a national strategy for spaceport and range technology development

5. ASTWG Draft Roadmap Product Review Subgroups
Advanced
Servicing
Planning / Documentation / Analysis / Learning
Transportation,
Handling & Assembly
Inspection &
System Verification
Command, Control & Monitoring
Roadmaps have been developed for each subgroup area

6. Spaceport System Capability Roadmap
Near-Term:
High flight rate of a single architecture
Standardized servicing ports and interfaces
Standard payload carrier
Common/universal lifting GSE
Control software development based on abstract interfaces
Control software for automatic propellant loading
Enhanced remote sensing for vehicle safety after landing
Paperless integrated logistics systems
Centralized data repository – integrated databases
Enhanced information/communication architecture
Integrated emergency services
Mid-Term:
Multiple vehicles from common spaceport infrastructure
Common standards between vehicle and spaceport
Containerized payloads
Robotic support for lifting operations
Spaceport interfaces recognize flight system connected
Automated servicing operations
Automated safing / reconfiguration of vehicle and payload after flight
Automated and integrated paperless logistics system
Automatic interactive scheduling of flight vehicle, ground support facilities and support logistics
Integrated communication system linking several spaceport
Semi-autonomous surveillance
Long-Term:
Airport-like Operations – Plug & Play
Minimal servicing with self diagnosis and autonomous repair
Piggy Back payloads – self sufficient; non invasive to vehicle
Plug & Queue – minimal facility/vehicle interfaces
Gas & Go – on-demand propellant loading operations
Autonomous safing / reconfiguration after landing
Automated paperless supply chain management integrated with equipment integrated health management
Integrated business systems and processes into one data management system
Autonomous, adaptive self-training scheduling system for flight vehicle, ground facilities and support infrastructure
Global connectivity to spaceports
Autonomous surveillance

7. ASTWG Example Roadmaps Technology Subgroup: Integrated Operations
Advanced
Servicing
Capability Roadmaps
Challenges & Technical Approaches
Key Technology Development Needs

8. Future Interagency Range & Spaceport Technologies Program: Technology Infusion Program
Program Consortium
Strategic
Technology
Direction
Industry, Academia, Government
National Coalition
One of several
inputs each agency
will consider
FAA
$TBD
DoD
NASA
Tri-Agency Consortium (NASA, FAA, DoD) has been focusing for the last 1.5 years on developing spaceport and range technologies
Joint planning & each partner manages their portion of dollars
Currently in 2nd year of 3-year formulation effort
(FY ’03-’05)
Strategic technology roadmap development
Interagency Concept of Operations development
Technical Gap Assessment
Business Case/Value Proposition assessment
Program Planning and Documentation Development
Working towards an FY06 new start
Joint Funding Decisions
Focused national
spaceport & range
technology projects $
Update:
Stakeholder community
technology & project development
(Industry, Academia, Government)
“We are excited to support NASA leadership of FIRST efforts by targeting and investing in range & spaceport technologies. It is the right time for partnership!”
(Brigadier General, John T. Sheridan: 15 January 2004 letter to NASA Director, KSC)

9. Summary Studied the problems Engaged and leveraged other centers
Identified the shared needs requirements, investigated the technologies, built the roadmaps
Engaged and leveraged other centers
KSC serving as lead center as the critical insight to the impact of vehicle architectures on ground and launch operations – also holds the critical partner relationships
All Center development technologies are leveraged –coordination across centers and partners assures investments are made in the areas of best return and those which support common needs / multiple mission sets
Built a formal inter-agency partnership: DOD, NASA, FAA
“We are excited to support NASA leadership of FIRST efforts by targeting and investing in range & spaceport technologies” (Brigadier General, John T. Sheridan)
Established nationwide forums with government, industry, and academia
Over 500 registered members in working groups for advanced range and spaceport technologies; three national conferences held; 10 technology-focused teams formed

10. Upcoming ARTWG/ASTWG Events
ARTWG/ASTWG Conference (
In conjunction with the AF Space Command, S&T workshop)
Jan
Colorado Springs, Co.
ASTWG Workshop (to develop conceptual spaceport architectures)
Nov
Kennedy Space Center, Fl
Thank You for your continued Support!

11. Reducing the cost of sustained operations through technology infusion
Contacts:
Mr. Darin Skelly, ARTWG Co-Chair
NASA/KSC
Ph # (321)
Mr. Keith Britton, ASTWG Chair
Ph # (321)
Maj Jennifer Draper, ARTWG Co-Chair
AFSPC/XPXZ
Ph# (719)
Planning America’s
Next-generation Ground
& Launch Operations Technologies