|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rumblings |
What's in the wings..... |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New |
CEV at MSFC November 8, 2005 NG/Boeing is building a CEV engineering model at MSFC. From what we understand, If your interested in seeing it have a look in Bldg 4708. LM has conducted airbag landing tests at MSFC. A throwaway version of the SSME may have to deal with unsynchronised whirl if a cheaper version of the fuel turbopump is developed. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Who Stay at NASA... August 30, 2005 When NASA speaks of transferring people from center to center in an effort to reduce the coming RIFs one part is never discussed. The CS people displaced need to be able to do the new exploration jobs. It is estimate that 2500-3000 can not. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes at NASA August 19, 2005 Replacements for the Directors of NASA MSFC, JSC, and KCS should be announced by the end of August. Editors Note* 1 in 3 is not to bad. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No 3rd Crew for ISS Until US Flagged Soyuz or CEV Fly August 19, 2005 With engineering issues continuing to impact the shuttle program NASA is strongly considering not supporting or agreeing to a 3rd ISS crew member until the CEV is operational or NASA can acquire Soyuz spacecraft, launch, and recovery services from the RSA. This would involve a direct ownership of the Soyuz spacecraft and a contract for launch and recovery services. The US Soyuz would remain docked to ISS for the duration of its operational life serving as an assured crew return capability for US Astronauts and replaced as needed regardless of the condition or number of RSA Soyuz docked to ISS. NASA will not have to pay for docking the Soyuz to ISS. The US owns both FGB docking ports |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sharing Assets August 18, 2005 Sources have told US Space News that T-Space (Transformational Space Corporation) and Virgin Galactic may end up sharing the same carrier aircraft design (developed by Scaled Composites) for the CXV and Spaceship 2 |
![]() |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No 3rd Crew for ISS August 15, 2005 NASA may not leave a third crew member on the Station. European Space Agency Astronaut Thomas Reiter may return with Atlantis and not become a member of Expedition 11. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
US Elements for ISS NASA is doing a study to see what hardware can be left on the ground and the impact of the decision on ISS. Options under consideration include not launching the S6 Truss, eliminating one or more ULF flights, and has previous indicated launching the JAXA and ESA Laboratories by ATV and HIIA spacecraft. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ET Hints From MSFC Inside word from MSFC is the largest piece of foam that came off Discovery's ET is the result of work conducted in the forward end of the area that failed and may not be an issue requiring redesign. Revised maintenance and close out standards may take care of the risk. Update! Aug 10, 2005! Even the Washington Post agrees with us! |
![]() |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ESA Wants a Better Deal If ESA must launch the Columbus Lab to ISS attached to an ATV and by an Ariane V rocket they want 100% use of research time and space in the Columbus Lab. Right now the US owns 50% of all time, space and power in Columbus as payment for launching the ESA Lab on the Space Shuttle, sharing technology and transporting ESA astronauts and cargo to ISS. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA Shuttle Derived Vehicle Design Refined Current discussion are revolving around how to make use of the existing Shuttle infrastructure. Right now it is estimated that 1 billion dollars can be saved by not launching an in-line shuttle derived heavy lift launch vehicle. If a side-mounted carrier is selected that utilized the maximum amount of existing facilities (including limited impacts to OPF's. Two OPF's would become CEV/payload processing facilities) very limited impacts to cost, existing ET design and work force would occur. The one key concern is the impact of launch debris on a side mounted launch canister/propulsion system. While a side-mounted launch canister can be armored to withstand impacts, damage to critical elements of a payload are still possible (the in-line system eliminates this risk). In addition, studies are looking at launching a CEV STS SRB launch vehicle from the existing STS launch platforms or if construction of a new facility would be required. Two launch pads may not be able to service CEV needs for ISS, expolration and heavy lift missions. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Orbiter Swap.... If the launch of Discovery is delayed until September Atlantis may go 1st. Atlantis is moving to the VAB for mating to its ET and SRB stack. No software changes are required. Movement of payloads and related equiptment would take 7-8 days. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moving Missions..... NASA will move control and management all Mars and Lunar exploration robotic missions to the new Exploration program, away from Space Science at GSFC and JPL |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If a Hubble Servicing mission is approved... Discussions are underway for cancelling the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) if a Hubble Servicing mission is approved. If a mission to Hubble is approved JWST would be cancelled and a follow-on spacecraft built on JWST technology and instruments would be funded in FY 2007 or FY 2008. A maximum funding cap would be enforced and launch on an Atlas V or Delta IV would be used. Currently JWST is scheduled to be launched on an Ariane V |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FAA Requirements for Commercial Astronauts FAA may release training requirements for commercial Astronauts (private pilot, co-pilot and flight support crew Astronauts who crew sub-orbital and orbital flights) later this year. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A shuttle derived heavy lift vehicle A shuttle derived heavy lift vehiclewill not use existing Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs). Under review are existing US and Russian engines. Reliability, cost and the ability to restart are key factors. NASA will not pay for development of a new propulsion capability and is unwilling to build an open ended number of SSMEs. Also under review is the cost Vs. benefit of a recoverable propulsion system to be mounted on the modified heavy lift ET. Similar studies where conducted in the 1980's-1990's as part of the Shuttle C concept |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discovery to be retired in 2009 With the Discovery getting ready to fly on July 13th it interesting to note current planning calls for the Discovery to be retired in FY 2009. This is about 1 year before retirement of the whole orbiter fleet. Discovery would become a hanger queen giving parts to the other orbiters as needed. Depending on conditions or unplanned events Endeavour or Atlantis could be retired 1st. Regardless one orbiter will leave the fleet in FY 2009. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Enterprise at Smithsonian |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What NASA is looking for in the CEV Taken from an email writen by some working CEV design back in Sept. 04 1.2 CEV Subsystem The initial CEV system will be supported by the following subsystems: Guidance Navigation and Control CSCI GN&C Sensor Processing Sensor/Effector FDIR Mode Control Rendezvous and Proximity Ops CSCI Auto Nav Auto Guide Docking Hardware Control Vehicle System Management CSCI Mission Manager Vehicle Level Redundancy Management Vehicle Health and Status Command Manager Mated Management Subsystems Management CSCI EPS Rotary Joint ECLSS Propulsion Mechanisms Thermal Subsystem Health/Status Subsystem FDIR & Control Health Management CSCI Data Acquisition Symptom Detection Diagnostic Reasoning Results Distribution Application Support CSCI File Store Data Store Current Valve Table Startup 1553 Bus Comm 1394 Bus Comm Telemetry Re-programming Crew-Vehicle Interface CSCI (also referred to as Cockpit Interface) Displays Crew Controls Executive Service CSCI (NO DECOMPOSITION PROVIDED) Command an Data Handling CSCI Uplink/Downlink Command Handling Communications Telemetry Flight Abort CSCI Monitor LV Abort Commanding Abort Subsystems Abort GN&C and some more on what was broken down back in Sept. 04: The CEV Flight software architecture differs from current US crewed spacecraft (Space Shuttle and International Space Station) by including a Flight Abort, Rendezvous and Proximity Operations and advanced Vehicle System Management capabilities. In general: The CEV Flight Abort CSCI is similar to the capability developed for the Apollo Command Module (and the Russian Soyuz TM). The Flight Abort CSCI will include sensors to monitor the launch vehicle (LV) health from prior to launch (zero-zero escape) to CEV separation from the LV upper stage. The Flight Abort CSCI will be automatically initiated under specific predefined conditions or by crew command. The Launch Escape Rocket to fire and the CEV will separate from the LV upper stage. The Flight Abort capability will separate the launch escape motor (and shroud?) after the CEV has reached safe attitude. Using the Abort GN&C capability fire attitude control thrusters to eliminate CEV aerodynamic tumbling and deploy the CEV recovery system (parachutes or parafoil). The CEV Guidance Navigation and Control CSCI is similar to capabilities developed for the US Space Shuttle and to a degree for the International Space Station (also NASDA ATV). In general the GN&C capability controls vehicle attitude and position. It will be used to keep control of the CEV during flight and each specific operational mode (launch, orbit (free flight), docking, docked operations, escape/undocking and reentry. The CEV Vehicle System Management CSCI is a new capability for s US crewed spacecraft, similar to one being developed for the Space Shuttle. This capability acts as a system level governor of CEV systems. Redundancy Management is control by this CSCI (failing to a back up capability) and it is assumed the CEV will be two fault tolerant for each subsystem. Mated Management control inputs from the ISS or other spacecraft and is used to monitor, receive and pass data between vehicles. The Mission Management capability is utilized to monitor and govern a CEV mission based or preset limits and rules. Vehicle System Management is used to monitor the current state of each subsystem and in conjunction with redundancy management monitor and control the fault protect scheme. The CEV Subsystem Management CSCI is similar to capabilities developed for the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. This capability runs the hardware and supports life support (ECLSS), thermal control (passive and active), power via solar arrays (this is more likely than fuel cells as they call for a rotary joint controller and life of a fuel cell is limited by reactions carried on the CEV. Subsystem health and status and FDIR control does the initial checking of potential errors in the hardware and software. Video control allows the ground to control onboard video and is similar to the capability currently on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station The CEV Health Management CSCI is similar to manned spacecraft Fault Protection subsystems. This capability will utilize expert systems capabilities to diagnose problems and take corrective action. Working as a 4-part subsystem it will monitor and acquire data, detect symptoms of potential problems, use existing rule and scripts to diagnose the problem and take corrective action followed by reporting this action to the crew and ground. The CEV Rendezvous and Proximity Operations CSCI support auto navigation, docking or station keeping with a spacecraft. This capability will build on the SLI DART Mission to be launched in 2004.The ability to automatically rendezvous and dock/station keep with a second spacecraft is a capability the US does not currently have. The CEV may rendezvous with the International Space Station keep and await capture by SSRMS The CEV Application Support CSCI is similar to existing spacecraft capabilities. The CEV Crew-Vehicle Interface is similar to the Glass Cockpit developed to the Space Shuttle and possibly crew laptops similar to the type used on the International Space Station. The CEV Command and Data Handling Capability is similar to other flown spacecraft capabilities. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ISS Assembly Complete May Be Less Complete Than Before Looks like US Node 3 will not fly to the International Space Station. The Russian Science Power Platform Photovoltaic Arrays are also deleted. The end result is the following elements should fly: US Node 2 Copula Remaining truss and solar power segments Columbus Laboratory Kibo Laboratory and External Exposure facility |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
US Navy Reactors Will Lead Nuclear Space Power For NASA The US Navy will lead and develop space based nuclear power (now shifted to Lunar/Mars surface operations and in space power - non propulsion). The US Navy is the world leader in nuclear power with an unmatched safety record. Think what can be done with 5-10 megawatts of power on the surface of mars! |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Payloads Operation Center (POC) at MSFC May Close in FY 2007 Assessments are being made to see if moving the ISS POC to JSC can reduce cost and support better consolation of human space flight operations in the coming years. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ESA Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) could be used to bring the Columbus Laboratory to the International Space Station (ISS) Work is underway to see if the European Space Agency ATV or a variant could be used to bring the Columbus Lab and US Node 3 to the ISS. A similar effort was done by the Russian Space Agency (RSA) when it used a modified Progress spacecraft to bring the Russian Docking Compartment/Airlock, named Pirs (the Russian word for pier) to the ISS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Russian Docking Compartment, named Pirs attached to modified Progress Spacecraft |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ESA |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ESA ATV |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Based Launch Vehicle Would be Worlds 1st RLV If selected for use with the CEV a Shuttle SRB based launch vehicle would provide NASA with a quick, crew rated and reusable launch vehicle. NASA and contractor are weighing the pros and cons of this option. If selected it would signal the 1st extension and reuse of existing Shuttle system components after the orbiters are retired in FY 2010. A CEV SRB LV is considered by many to be sufficiently robust to meet the initial needs of project Constellation and with a sufficiently designed crew escape system (with a zero - zero capability)can meet NASA safety requirements. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA May Leave Two Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLM) Attached to the International Space Station NASA is evaluating leaving two MPLMs attached to ISS before the Space Shuttle Orbiters are decommissioned in FY 2010. This could provide significant storage space and utilize current docking births reserved for US Node 3 and US HAB. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA MPLM |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Copyright 2005 Big Blue Communications All Rights Reserved |