RLV Working GroupRLV Working Group

Reusable Launch Vehicles Working GroupPresentation to the COMSTAC

18 May 2007Michael S. Kelly,

Chairman

RLV Working GroupRLV Working GroupAgenda

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

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.

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 ( > 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

4Title of Presentation (This text must be edited in the Master Slide)

Name or Date

Federal AviationAdministration 4 4Radio Frequency Blackout During RLV Reentry Federal AviationAdministration

5Federal AviationAdministration

COMSTAC RLV Working GroupApril 19, 2007

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– FAA’s current performance target pertains to safety of the

uninvolved public.

• FAA will brief COMSTAC’s RLV Working Group on May 17, 2007 about this initiative.

COMSTAC RLV Working Group May 2007 Federal AviationAdministration 6

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

RLV Working GroupRLV Working GroupPSF Update

Overview of history, purpose of organization Passage of legislation by Virginia enforcing

liability waivers

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

www.NastarCenter.com

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

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

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

STS-400Space Training Simulator

Cockpit of Simulator

BarriosTechnology

“Where Innovation and Motivation Meet”

BarriosTechnology

“Where Innovation and Motivation Meet”

Recommendations from Barrios Technology - Summary

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)

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.

RLV Working GroupRLV Working GroupActions

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