Suborbital Experiment PlatformSuborbital Experiment Platform

Presented toPresented toNational Council of Space Grant Directors National Council of Space Grant Directors

Executive CommitteeExecutive CommitteeOctober 30, 2007October 30, 2007

James E. BallJames E. BallSpaceport Development ManagerSpaceport Development Manager

NASA John F. Kennedy Space CenterNASA John F. Kennedy Space Center

FASTFASTRACKRACKTM

FASTFASTRACKRACKTM

A new spaceflight experiment platform in development by NASA Kennedy SpaceCenter and Space Florida

The emerging commercial suborbital industry will dramatically expand access to the space environment

It offers promise of frequent, affordable, and responsive flight opportunities

FASTFASTRACK RACK is being is being designed and developed to rapidly employ this new experiment environment to advance microgravity research and space exploration technologies

FASTFASTRACK RACK is a trademark of NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center

FASTFASTRACKRACKTM

Will be jointly developed by NASA Kennedy Space Center and Space Florida

Discussions are underway with other potential partners including NASA’s Innovative Partnership Program and Science Mission Directorate

Plan is to design and produce in 2008 with initial flight testing in 2009 aboard parabolic aircraft

Space qualification of flight units aboard one or more suborbital vehicles targeted by end of 2010

FASTFASTRACKRACKTM

Key project objectives are to achieve: Compatibility

Across the entire fleet of emerging commercial suborbital vehicles, existing and future parabolic flight providers, future orbital free-flyers or transports, ISS National Lab

AccessibilityReadily available to NASA mission directorates, other Federal agencies, industry, academia, and educational user groups

AffordabilityFlights available through government or privately-procured commercial services at competitive rates anticipated to be in the range of $100,000-$200,000 in FY 2008 dollars for suborbital spaceflight opportunities

FASTFASTRACKRACKTM

Is… A versatile rack system incorporating standard

middeck locker experiment accommodations with self-contained power

Capacity for two single lockers or one double locker, a subsystem drawer, and experiment apparatus

Multiple racks can be flown depending on supporting vehicle

FASTFASTRACKRACKTM

Horizontal operations feature runway takeoff and recovery

Offers 2-3 minutes of microgravity, reaching 62 miles or higher

Pressurized, conditioned air environment

Multiple launch sites support reliable and competitive opportunities

FASTFASTRACKRACKTM

Shortened lead time for experiment integration

Rapid retrieval of samples and data Opportunity to re-fly on short turnaround Fills gap in microgravity research capabilities Reduces risk to longer duration, higher

investment orbital operations by enabling first-step flight testing

FASTFASTRACKRACKTM

KSC brings extensive experience in space experiment processing, hardware development, and flight operations

Space Florida has established the Stephen Hawking Microgravity Education and Research Center, and has commercial parabolic flight experiment experience

FASTFASTRACKRACKTM

A new opportunity for Space Grant to excite educators,inspire students, promote scientific inquiry, and stimulatethe next generation of space explorers.

Advancing Microgravity Science Advancing Microgravity Science and Applications:and Applications:Steps to the ISS National Steps to the ISS National LaboratoryLaboratoryand beyondand beyond

Charles QuincySustainable Systems DivisionApplied Technology DirectorateJohn F. Kennedy Space Center

National Council of Space Grant DirectorsOctober 30, 2007

Biology

•Combustion Science•Fluid Physics•Materials Science •Dust Aggregation

•The Aging Process•Infectious Disease•Molecular Biology•Preventive Medicine •Gene & Protein Expression

•Private Space Hardware Developers•Offers cost-effective hardware &

experiment pre-ISS test flights.•Reduces risk to space operations

technology development.•Pharmaceuticals (crystal formation in

Micro-g) •Biotechnology Product Development•Computer Chip Materials Development •Cosmetic Firms (novel product

development)

•ESMD technology development.•Assessment of SOMD

developmental hardware and software. •Growth and success of ISS user

base (National Lab Initiative).•Education/Outreach•National Space Grant Consortium

•National Institutes of Health•National Science Foundation•Department of Energy•Department of Agriculture•Department of Defense

Microgravity Science Fields of Study & Primary Use Drivers

Investigation Progression

• Drop Tower testing

• Parabolic flight

• Sub-orbital flight

• Highly elliptical flight

• Orbital sorties

• Visits to ISS

Increased Cost

Increased time in Zero G

NASA Vision

Control

NASA

(SOMD, SMD, & ESMD)

Education Institutes

Public

State

Public Federal

Private Sector

ISS National Laboratory

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Launch & Landing

Preparation

Zone

Concept Refinement

Zone

- Concept Evaluation- Team Development and Meeting- Requirements Development- Selection of Flight Configuration- Science verification Test

ISS

Operations Control

- Build, Configure, and Test Flight Configuration- Certify for Flight- Conduct Flight Operations- Conduct Post Flight Operations

Act

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