Reusable Launch Vehicles Working Group Presentation to the COMSTAC

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Reusable Launch Vehicles Working
GroupPresentation to the COMSTAC

• 18 May 2007
• Michael S. Kelly,
• Chairman

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Agenda

• Commercial Human Space Flight Biomedical Data
  Collection
• RF Blackout Study
• Analysis of the Safety of Human Space Flight
• HSF Study Required By Congress
• Development of HSF Safety Performance Targets X
  PRIZE Cup
• Launch Vehicle Failure Mode Database
• Personal Spaceflight Federation Update
• Industry Standard Criteria for Crew and
  Spaceflight Participant
• Orbital Commerce Project
• NASTAR
• Barrios Technology
• Actions

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AST Commercial Human Space Flight Biomedical Data
Collection

• Work performed by Wyle Laboratories under
  contract to Aerospace Corp. and Volpe Center
• Identified in-flight and ground biomedical
  parameters that will enable characterization of
  medical and biological effects experienced by the
  human body during spaceflight
• Identified in-flight and ground biomedical
  equipment and requirements necessary to monitor,
  measure and record the recommended parameters
  identified
• Evaluated options for a biomedical safety
  database compatible with existing NASA data
• Proposed implementation plan via a collaborative
  effort between NASA, FAA, and Operators (perhaps
  represented by the PSF)
• Developed white paper describing value
  proposition for each stakeholder.

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Radio Frequency Blackout During RLV Reentry

• RF Blackout Caused by high electron
  concentration in plasma sheath surrounding
  reentering RLVs (108 to 1013 electrons/cm3),
  which absorbs or attenuates electromagnetic
  transmitted waves
• Vehicle bow shock compresses and heats the air,
  resulting in dissociation and ionization of the
  air. This ionized layer is the reentry plasma
  sheath, inhibiting communications
• A Safety Issue Future RLVs could remain in
  attenuated or blackout mode for extended periods,
  during critical phases of flight
• Communications for telemetry and control
  degraded
• Navigation and tracking inhibited
• Findings from Study Blackout Mitigation
  Approaches
• Passive Methods Lower cost, less complexity
• Transmit at higher frequencies (? gt ?P )
• Aerodynamic Shaping Sharp leading edge or
  pointed cone ahead of shock wave
• Active Approaches Added weight, complexity and
  cost
• Injection of chemical quenchants
• Droplets that cool the plasma
• Application of magnetic fields

Title of Presentation (This text must be edited
in the Master Slide) Name or Date
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Radio Frequency Blackout During RLV Reentry
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Development of Human Space Flight Safety
Performance Targets

• FAA plans to work with COMSTAC to develop
  appropriate human space flight safety performance
  targets for launches and reentries carrying crew
  or space flight participants
• FAAs current performance target pertains to
  safety of the uninvolved public.
• FAA will brief COMSTACs RLV Working Group on May
  17, 2007 about this initiative.

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Launch Vehicle Failure Mode Database

• Historical Database on ELVs was created using
  open-source documentation on known failures from
  1957 to May 2007
• Propulsion anomalies have been and continue to
  cause most known failures in ELV launches
• Guidance and navigation have been second leading
  cause of failure, but have dropped over time
• Software and computing systems are a growing
  concern - 21 of failures since 1999
• Historical database on failures of rocket-powered
  aircraft currently being scoped

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PSF Update

• Overview of history, purpose of organization
• Passage of legislation by Virginia enforcing
  liability waivers

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Training Problems / Solution

• Ill defined
• No standards
• Does not fit other models
• Wrong group tasked

• Industry group
• Take best practices from other industries
• Set guidelines and suggest standards
• Interface with FAA

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The National Aerospace Training and Research
Center seeks FAA AST Safety Approval for its
space course offerings

• Standard Course Offerings Participants
• 1-day G Tolerance Prequalification
• 2-day Sub-orbital Launch Training
• 3-day Sub-orbital Launch Training with
  Additional Air- or Spaceflight Experience
• 1-day G Refresher / Requalification

• Standard Course Offerings Pilots
• G Tolerance
• Spatial Disorientation
• Upset Recovery
• Altitude Physiology
• Ejection Seat Egress Procedures

Cockpit of Simulator
STS-400 Space Training Simulator
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Recommendations from Barrios Technology - Summary
Whether government required or industry
generated, the extreme conditions and high risk
environment of commercial space flight demands
standard training with certifiable outcomes for
passengers, crew, and ground support personnel.

• Passenger Training
• Vehicle Familiarization
• Safety
• Emergency Procedures
• Physiological Effects
• What to do and experience during the flight

• Crew and Ground Support Personnel Training
• Fundamental Operation of vehicle hardware and
  software
• Nominal operations training
• Select number of emergency procedures that safe
  the vehicle and the crew
• Cockpit Resource Management (CRM)

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Actions

• RLVWG to submit suggestions for biomedical data
  collection to AST in four weeks
• RLVWG to submit stakeholder suggestions for
  structure of Human Spaceflight Safety Study to
  AST in two weeks
• Start process of defining Safety Targets, with
  goal of making recommendations by next COMSTAC
• Consider formation of a Training Standards
  Subcomittee