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Appendix P: TA13 Ground and Launch Systems Processing
Pages 313-319

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From page 313...
... capability for ground processing as well as launch, mission, and recovery operations to significantly increase safe access to space, including: • Transportation, assembly, integration, and processing of the launch vehicle, spacecraft, and payload hardware at the launch site including launch pad operations; • Launch processing infrastructure and its ability to support future operations; • Range, personnel, and facility safety capabilities; • Launch control and landing operations including weather and recovery for flight crews, flight hardware, and returned samples; • Mission integration and control center operations and infrastructure; and • Environmental impact mitigation for ground and launch operations. The primary benefit derived from ground and launch processing advances is reduced cost, freeing funds for other investments.
From page 314...
... TOP TECHNICAL CHALLENGES Advances in ground and launch systems processing implies overcoming several challenges, such as reducing the cost of maintaining and operating ground control and launch infrastructure, improving safety, and improving the timeliness, relevance, and accuracy of information provided to ground control and launch personnel (e.g., in part through improvements in inspection and anomaly detection capabilities)
From page 315...
... Alternate Energy Prototypes 0 1 1 3 3 -3 -3 54 L 13.3.1. Advanced Launch Technologiesg 1 3 3 0 3 -3 -3 68 L 13.3.2.
From page 316...
... In considering the merit of diverting NASA resources to drive down launch operations costs through technol ogy development, it should be noted that for the foreseeable future, the rate of launch of NASA payloads will be low and will occur largely through procurement of launch services from private companies who will conduct their own ground and launch systems processing using their own facilities. As a result, it is unlikely that NASA will be developing multiple launch systems of its own in the foreseeable future.
From page 317...
... He provided some lessons learned, such as the importance of detailed and repeatable procedures; small, experienced launch teams; highly automated fueling, and streamlined vehicle-payload integration. The specific technologies that he believes will support NASA's next heavy lift system include vehicle health monitoring, cryogenic fluid management, helium optimization, automated fueling systems, corrosion protection, and distributed mission control.
From page 318...
... For example, on the topic of non-destructive evaluation, one speaker said that an emerging company would rather build a stronger structure than incorporate internal health monitoring. When asked how NASA can streamline operations, several participants said NASA should simplify systems and procedures as much as possible and make the flight system much more self contained and autonomous, all of which might require starting from stretch.
From page 319...
... Michael Kelly (Federal Aviation Administration) endorsed NASA efforts to improve automated on-board checkout and vehicle health management.


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