Florida Space magazine Published monthly by Space Media Corporation and the Aerospace Research & Engineering Systems Institute, inc.

Space Station Gets New Solar Arrays

SpaceX targets 2009 Falcon 9 debut NASA Prepares For Ares I-X Launch Space Florida lost in space?

Hello? Is there anybody in here? The History of

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00000 0000 V1.5 May 2009 Space shuttle Discovery lifts off on mission STS-119. Credit: NASA Advertise In this Space [email protected]

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2 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com Florida Space Magazine Florida Space Volume 1, Issue 5 ~ May 2009 Magazine May 2009 http://www.floridaspacemagazine.com

Publisher In This Month’s Issue ARES Institute, Inc. http://www.aresinstitute.org

STS-119 Delivers Station Solar Arrays Production 7 Space Media Corporation http://www.spacemediacorp.com Atlas Launches WGS-2 Military Satellite 8 Editor-In-Chief Matthew Travis [email protected] 9 Orion Water Testing Makes A Splash Copy Editor Tracy Garland 10 SpaceX Targets Launch By Year’s End [email protected] Staff Writers NASA Prepares For Ares I-X Test Flight 11 Matthew Travis [email protected] News Industry Loses Space Veterans Vallen McMillian 11 [email protected]

12 Space Florida: Lost In Space? Graphic Design / Web Space Media Corporation http://www.spacemediacorp.com 13 A Look At The History Of Shuttle-C Advertising Douglas Peets 4 Message from the Publisher [email protected] 5 News Briefs 16 Event Calendar 18 Photo Gallery Media Contact 21 Industry Directory [email protected] 24 Launch Manifest Florida Space Magazine is published Photos courtesy NASA except where noted monthly by Space Media Corporation on behalf of the Aerospace Research & Engineering Systems Insitute, Inc. to provide news and information about the aerospace industry in the State of Florida. Each print issue is $4.50 or web- based subscription.

Florida Space Magazine Matthew Travis, Editor Cape Canaveral, FL. 32920

Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 3 Message From the Editor

Welcome to Florida Space Magazine!

We hope you will enjoy the articles and photographs presented in this inaugural issue of a new monthly magazine devoted to covering news and events in the state of Florida’s space industry. The Aerospace Research & Engineering Systems Insti- tute, Inc. made the decision to produce a new periodical at a critical time for the state. The space shuttle fleet is scheduled to reach retirement next year at the same time assembly of the International Space Station is completed. Over the next five years, NASA will continue development of a new launch vehicle family, the Ares I and Ares V rockets, to take crews and hardware to the space station and then, eventually, to the Moon. The first manned flight of Ares I and Orion spacecraft will take place in 2015. Meanwhile, new launch service providers will be calling Cape Canaveral home, expanding the industry’s base in Florida and on the Space Coast. Because of the gap between shuttle and Orion, the state faces a tumultu- ous time for its space industry. The end of the shuttle era will bring with it the loss of thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly related to the shuttle program. However, the new launch providers will bring with them new opportunities. We are beginning a time of great change which seems frightening to many people but which is also filled with hope for the future. Florida Space Magazine will be there to cover it all and bring unparalled news coverage and insight to our readers.

May this inaugural issue be the first of many for years to come!

Sincerely, Matthew Travis, Editor-in-chief

4 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com April 13, 2009 - Spirit Healthy but Com- News Briefs puter Reboots Raise Concerns The team operating NASA’s Mars Explo- Februry 17, 2009 - FAA Approves Con- off the planet. For NASA’s space-based ration Rover Spirit is examining data re- solidation of Space Florida’s Launch Site missions, the webcast will be broadcast ceived from Spirit in recent days to diag- Operators License from control centers throughout the nose why the rover apparently rebooted United States. To view the webcast, visit its computer at least twice over the April Space Florida’s efforts to secure licenses http://100hoursofastronomy.org/web- 11-12 weekend. “While we don’t have an for two launch sites has been signifi- cast . explanation yet, we do know that Spirit’s cantly streamlined by quick approval by batteries are charged, the solar arrays are the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space producing energy and temperatures are Transportation of Space Florida’s request April 2, 2009 - NASA Inspector General well within allowable ranges. We have to consolidate FAA Launch Site Opera- time to respond carefully and investi- tor license applications. Space Florida Robert Cobb Resigns gate this thoroughly,” said John Callas of President Steve Kohler made the request NASA Inspector General Robert Cobb NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasa- January 27 to consolidate licenses for submitted a letter of resignation to dena, Calif., project manager for Spirit Space Launch Complex-46 (SLC-46) as the White House on Thursday, April 2, and twin-rover Opportunity. well Space Launch Complex-36 (SLC- 2009. President Barack Obama accepted 36) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Cobb’s resignation, which is effective (CCAFS) as part of the proposed Com- April 11. mercial Launch Zone (CLZ). The FAA April 15, 2009 - NASA Selects 16 Small approved the request last week. Business Technology Transfer Projects April 6, 2009 - NASA Awards Education NASA has selected 16 proposals for ne- gotiation of Phase 2 contract awards in Grants to Universities April 1, 2009 - NASA Awards Interim Pro- the Small Business Technology Transfer NASA has awarded cooperative educa- tective Services Contract For Kennedy (STTR) program. The selected projects tion grants to the University of Puerto have a total value of approximately $9.6 NASA has awarded a contract to Space Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; South million. The contracts will be awarded Gateway Support of Cape Canaveral, Dakota School of Mines and Technology, to 16 hi-tech firms partnered with 15 Fla., to continue providing protec- Rapid City, S.D.; and Virginia Polytechnic universities in 18 states. tive services at NASA’s Kennedy Space Institute and State University, Blacks- Center in Florida. This cost plus fixed fee burg, Va. The grants support implemen- contract begins on April 1, 2009, and tation of a two-week residential college will provide interim support until NASA experience as part of NASA’s Interdis- April 16, 2009 - SpaceX Snares Two Cape awards a new competitive contract for ciplinary National Science Program Canaveral Launches agency-wide protective services. The Incorporating Research Experience, also Space Exloration Technologies, Inc. has Interim Protective Services Contract has known as INSPIRE. signed an agreement to launch two a three-month base period and nine one-month option periods through March 31, 2010. The maximum potential value of this contract is approximately $40 million, if all options are exercised. The services Space Gateway Support will provide include firefighting, physical se- curity and emergency response support.

April 2, 2009 - NASA Joins ‘Around The World In 80 Telescopes’ A collection of NASA missions will be in- Advertise Here volved in a live event Friday, April 3, that [email protected] will allow the public to get an inside look at how these missions are run. “Around the World in 80 Telescopes” is a 24-hour webcast that is part of the “100 Hours of Astronomy” event for the International Year of Astronomy 2009. During the we- bcast, viewers will be able to visit some of the most advanced telescopes on and

Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 5 Cape Canaveral, is failing to gain the support it needs to become law. The bill News Briefs is an important part of Space Florida’s plans to lure more launch operators to Falcon 9 missions from Cape Canaveral the mission’s target patch of sky, a vast the state Air Force Station for the Argentinian starry field in the Cygnus-Lyra region space agency, company officials said of our Milky Way galaxy. One image today. The flights will blast off from shows millions of stars in Kepler’s full SB 1526 would give companies a tax Launch Complex 40 in 2012 and 2013. field of view, while two others zoom in credit to offset costs associated with The SpaceX flights will help fill the gap on portions of the larger region. The launching from the Cape and benefit between shuttle retirement and the first images can be seen online at: ttp:// companies whether or not they make manned launches of Ares I rockets and www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/ money on the launch. Companies would Orion space capsules in 2015. multimedia/20090416.html get a tax break on half of the income tax liability from launches or sell the credit to other companies if they post a loss. April 16, 2009 - ULA Wins NRO Launch April 16, 2009 - Congressional Budget Contract Office Report on NASA Released The bill may end up costing the state United Launch Alliance, the U.S. gov- The Budgetary Implications of approximately $31 million - money the ernment’s prime space launch services NASA’s Current Plans for Space Ex- state doesn’t have to give away in the supplier, won a $184 million contract ploration (http://www.cbo.gov/doc. current economic climate. Proponents of to launch a classified payload for the cfm?index=10051 - PDF). “In response to the bill have been trying to restructure it super-secret National Reconnaissance a directive in the National Aeronautics by delaying its implementation date and Office in 2011.LA spokesman Mike Rein and Space Administration Authorization modifying the way its fiscal impact is cal- said the payload -- designated NROL- Act of 2008, the Congressional Budget culated in an effort to boost support. The 15 -- will blast off atop a Delta IV Heavy Office (CBO) has updated its 2004 report bill was passed by the Senate Commerce rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force analyzing the budgetary implications Committee, but is not likely to pass the Station’s Launch Complex 37. ULA now of the National Aeronautics and Space full Legislature before the session closes has a launch manifest of more than 60 Administration’s (NASA’s) vision for the at the end of April. missions through 2015. nation’s space exploration program.”

Space Florida is eager to lure private companies to SLC-36, which the state April 16, 2009 - NASA’s Kepler Captures April 16, 2009 - Pro-space Tax Bill Stuck agency leased from the Air Force last First Views of Planet-Hunting Territory In Limbo year. The Legislature has already prom- NASA’s Kepler mission has taken its Florida Senate Bill 1526, which would ised $14.5 million for construction, first images of the star-rich sky where it provide tax credits to commercial with the complex requiring another will soon begin hunting for planets like launch operators who utilize Space $40 million investment to complete. Earth. The new “first light” images show Florida’s Space Launch Complex 36 at That money has been on hold while the state examines the financial prctices and viability of Space Florida, beset by scandal this year amid allegations that it has wasted much of the funding it has already received from the state with few accomplishments.

April 14, 2009 - Ex-Space Florida Official Advertise Here Resigns Amid Ethics Scandal Andrews Institute confirmed that Brice Harris resigned his position with the [email protected] clinic Today. Last week, a state investiga- tion concluded that he likely broke the law by helping set up Project Odyssey and then resigning his state job to serve as its $150,000-a-year director. Odyssey was created to be a “space tourist” train- ing center, providing spaceflight training to would-be spaceflight participants.

6 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 14-day mission featured three spacewalks to help install the S6 truss segment to the starboard, or right, side of the station and the deployment of its solar arrays. The flight also replaced a failed unit for a sys- tem that converts urine to potable water. STS-119 also featured a crewmember exchange with Expedition 18. Koichi Wakata, the first Japan Aerospace- Ex ploration Agency resident station crew member, arrived on board the shuttle. Shortly after docking, he swapped plac- es with Expedition 18 flight engineer Sandra Magnus, who returned with the STS-119 astronauts after more than three months aboard the orbiting laboratory. Discovery landed back at Kennedy Space Center, culminating a thir- teen day mission with a windy touch- down at the Shuttle Landing Facility on the second opportunity of the day. The high wind, approaching and oc- Success For STS-119 casionally exceeding the runway cross- Staff Writers wind limits for landing, forced the shuttle to stay aloft one extra orbit be- fore letting up just enough to permit Discovery delivers Space Station’s Discovery to return to Florida today. “I’m very proud we were able to bring final set of solar arrays up the S6 truss, the final power seg- ment for the International Space Sta- The International Space Station’s 335- tenance to more than 762 hours. foot-long backbone is complete after tion, and we’re very, very happy we were While extension of the new solar ar- astronauts aboard space shuttle Dis- able to bring Discovery right back here ray wings originally was scheduled for covery and the space station teamed to the Kennedy Space Center in Flori- Flight Day 8, the decision that no fo- with Mission Control to install the final da,” mission commander Lee Archam- cused inspection of Discovery’s heat 45-foot-long segment to the farthest bault said on the runway shortly after shield were required freed up time in the starboard point of the station. The day the STS-119 astronauts disembarked flight plan to complete the deployment after the segment was firmly mated to the orbiter and prepared to head back the day after the truss was installed. the station, the two solar array wings to crew quarters at the space center. were deployed - each stretching 115 feet. After waking up on Flight Day 6, the Archambault, pilot Tony Antonelli, and crew watched over the deployment of With spacewalkers Steve Swanson and mission specialists Steve Swanson, John the solar arrays as they were methodi- Ricky Arnold at the ready outside the Phillips, Richard Arnold and Joseph cally unfurled through a step sequence station, shuttle Mission Specialist John Acaba walked underneath Discovery to preclude the thin panels from stick- Phillips and Expedition 18 Flight Engi- for a short post-flight inspection before ing together after being folded in their neer Koichi Wakata remotely controlled boarding the Astrovan for the ride back blanket boxes for more than a year. En- the station robotic arm with the 31,000 to the Operations and Checkout Building. gineers have developed specific pro- pound S6 truss into its final position. Recovering from her recently completed cedures learned over time with the four month stint aboard the station, Swanson and Arnold immediately went deployment of the other three pair of Discovery touched down on runway 15 to work bolting the segment in place arrays on earlier assembly missions. and connecting the power and data ca- at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 3:13:17 The primary objective of Discovery’s STS- bles allowing station flight controllers to p.m. EST, completing a mission lasting 12 119 flight was the delivery of the Interna- remotely command the segment to life. days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 33 sec- tional Space Station’s fourth and final set onds, rolling to a stop 88 seconds later. The first EVA of STS-119, Swanson’s of solar array wings, completing the sta- During its 5.3 million mile journey, the third spacewalk and Arnold’s first, be- tion’s truss, or backbone. The arrays will shuttle completed 202 orbits of Earth and gan at 12:16 p.m. CST and ended at provide the electricity to fully power sci- spent 10 days docked at the space station. 6:23 p.m. CST totaling 6 hours, 7 min- ence experiments and support the sta- utes. The 121st spacewalk brings the tion’s expanded crew of six in May. The total for station assembly and main-

Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 7 Atlas V Launches WGS-2 For U.S Military

Spaceflight News

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and the third launch this year from CCA- successfully launched the Air Force’s sec- FS. Atlas V has a 100% success rate overall ond Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) The WGS-2 spacecraft weighs approx. satellite into orbit at 8:31 p.m. EDT April 13,200-lb. The spacecraft is mated to 3 from from Space Launch Complex the Centaur upperstage by the 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force space vehicle contractor-pro- Station, today. WGS-2 joins vided spacecraft launch the service’s first WGS sat- vehicle adapter, separa- ellite, which also launched tion system, and electri- on an Atlas V Oct. 10, 2007. cal harness, and a ULA- “ULA congratulates the provided, mission-unique Air Force and our mission C22 launch vehicle adapter. partners on the successful WGS supports communica- launch of WGS-2,” said James tions links in the 500 MHz range Bell, ULA WGS Mission Manager. of the X-band and 1 GHz range “ULA is proud of its continuing role of pro- of the Ka-band spectra. WGS can filter (Above: Atlas lifts off with the WGS-2 viding reliable assured access to space for and route up to 4.875 GHz of instanta- spacecraft from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral the Air Force?s critical missions. WGS is a neous bandwidth. Depending on the A.F.S. The launch vehicle for the mission was force multiplier for our troops in the field mix of ground terminals, data rates, an Atlas V 421 consists of a single Atlas V who defend America’s freedom everyday.” and modulation schemes employed, a booster stage, the Centaur upper stage, and These satellites are designed to provide WGS satellite can support data trans- two solid rocket boosters (SRB). The Atlas high-capacity communications to our mission rates between 2.4 and 3.6 Gbps. V booster is 12.5 ft in diameter and 106.5 nation’s military forces. It will augment ft long. The booster?s tanks are structurally First launched in 2007, WGS will consist and eventually replace the aging De- rigid, and constructed of isogrid aluminum of a constellation of five satellites that fense Satellite Communication System, barrels, spun-formed aluminum domes, and will supply service for military com- which has been the Department of De- intertank skirts. Atlas booster propulsion manders to command and control their fense’s backbone for satellite communi- is provided by the RD-180 engine system. tactical forces. WGS-3 will round out the cations over the last two decades. The The RD-180 burns RP-1, which is highly remainder of the first phase of satellites. satellite provides a giant leap in com- purified kerosene, and liquid oxygen, and WGS-3 has completed its test programs munications bandwidth and technology. delivers 860,200 lb of thrust at sea level. and is slated for launch later this year. Photo Credit: Pat Corkery / Unied Launch “We are extremely proud to be a part Alliance) of the team that will launch the second Wideband Global SATCOM satellite,” said Brig. Gen. Edward L. Bolton Jr., 45th Space Wing commander. “The launch of this satellite will provide our military with the capacity, connectivity, and flexibil- ity to successfully complete its mission.” “We’re helping to give the most versa- tile and sophisticated technology to our join the space race today! warfighters,” said Bolton. “Congratula- tions to the entire team for their hard work and dedication to the mission.” http://www.nss.org “We only have one chance to get it right! In this profession you have to be meticulous to detail and patient to ensure mission success,” said Capt. Jeffrey Fisher, Wide- band Global SATCOM-2 Mission Lead. This mission marked the 14th flight of an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS National Space Society

8 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com Orion is making a big splash. A mock-up of the spacecraft that will carry the next gen- but is not limited to, U.S. Navy divers and eration of astronauts to the Moon and be- Orion Makes swimmers and U.S. Air Force Guardian yond is traveling down the East Coast and Angels. Cooperation between NASA and undergoing tests to help NASA understand a Splash the Department of Defense dates back to its performance in water. Matthew Travis the Mercury program, and NASA looks The Post-landing Orion Re- forward to future collaborative covery Tests (PORT) began efforts to move the Constella- in late March at the Naval tion Program forward. Surface Warfare Center, Car- derock Division in Bethesda, Md. This first round took Story Photos: NASA and De- place in a controlled water en- partment of Defense personnel vironment. Testing near Ken- familiarize themselves with a nedy Space Center in April Navy-built, 18,000-pound Ori- will be done in the rougher, on mock-up in a test pool at the uncontrolled waters of the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Atlantic Ocean. Crews will Carderock Division in West head out over several days and Bethesda, Md. Ocean testing at varying distances from land will begin April 6 off the coast of to assess the vehicle’s perfor- NASA’s Kennedy Space Center mance in open water landing in Florida. The goal of the oper- conditions. Recovery teams ation, dubbed the Post-landing Before the ocean tests, though, Orion made will gain experience dealing with Orion Orion Recovery Test, or PORT, a stop on the National Mall in front of the in water. The tests will also help NASA is to determine what kind of motions the National Air and Space Museum on March understand the motions astronauts will ex- astronaut crew can expect after landing, as 30. School children, media and Capitol Hill perience within the craft. The same boats well as conditions outside for the recovery staffers and members all visited the capsule. that have been used to recover the space team. Credit for Photos: Ryan Hanyok This full-scale mock-up and others like it will shuttle’s solid rocket boosters will tow the and the NSWC photographic team led by continue to undergo testing around the coun- capsule for these tests. Peter Congedo. try for various purposes. Another full-size NASA and the Department of Defense are mock-up, for instance, will be used in a test of working collaboratively to enhance each launchpad abort systems later this year. agency’s expertise in sea operations. This And the PORT program will continue. The partnership pares down costs for all parties next phase will focus on astronaut crew egress involved while allowing lessons learned to operations. In the coming year, the Depart- be incorporated into Orion designs as early ment of Defense will test and evaluate proce- as possible. The PORT program is managed dures, methodologies, planning and training by the operations and test integration office for rescue and recovery forces, including wa- in the Constellation Program at NASA’s ter-borne capsule recovery. Support includes, Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Proton Rocket Delivers Communication Satellite For Eutelsat

International Launch Services successful- Africa and the Middle East with video lying on ILS and Proton to contribute to ly carried the W2A satellite to orbit for Eu- and business services. Solaris Mobile is the ongoing success of their business.” telsat Communications of France on an ILS a joint venture between SES Astra and Proton. The Proton vehicle lifted off from Eutelsat. The satellite will be operated “Eutelsat congratulates ILS on its 50th the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 10:24 p.m. at Eutelsat’s 10 degrees East location. Proton launch; we are pleased to share local time (12:24 p.m. EDT, 16:24 GMT). the honor of this important occasion. Frank McKenna, President of Interna- ILS was able launch within our critical The Proton Breeze M vehicle is built by Khru- tional Launch Services, said, “This 50th timeframe allowing us to expand and di- nichev Space Center of Moscow and has a ILS launch marked an important mile- versify our in-orbit resources. We extend heritage of 344 missions since its inception. stone for ILS. ILS Proton for W2A met our sincere thanks to ILS and their part- The W2A spacecraft built by Thales Ale- Eutelsat’s vital schedule requirements ner, Khrunichev, for a professionally ex- nia Space, is a Spacebus 4000 C4 model with unique flexibility. This ILS capabil- ecuted and successful launch campaign,” and carried the first S-band payload for ity ensured the landmark delivery of the said Giuliano Berretta, CEO of Eutelsat. Europe. The W2A C-band and Ku-band first S-band service for Europe. We thank payloads for Eutelsat will provide Europe, our long term customer Eutelsat for re-

Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 9 Falcon 9 Aims For Summer Debut included nine the prolonged blast of heat and vibration.” Merlin 1C en- The thrust profile during the test mirrored gines mounted that of a real launch. All nine engines fired on a massive en- for 160 seconds, then two engines were gine mount struc- shut down to limit acceleration and the ture; a thrust skirt remaining seven engines continued fir- that transfers ing for 18 more seconds. At full power, the the force of the rocket generates 855,000 pounds of thrust engines into the at sea level which increases to approxi- first stage propel- mately one million pounds in a vacuum. lant tank; a car- bon composite The test firing validated the design of the interstage; a new Falcon 9 first stage powerplant, which Merlin Vacuum uses nine Merlin 1C engines clustered upper stage en- together. This gives the rocket the abil- gine fitted to the ity to shut down multiple engines with- second stage pro- out adversely affecting the function- pellant tank; and ing of the remaining engines. Falcon The early months of 2009 saw steady the two halves 9 will be the first launch vehicle since progress being made by Space Explora- of a 17 foot diameter payload fairing. the Saturn V to have the ability to lose tion Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) as the any engine in flight and still complete The integration of Falcon 9 hardware at company works toward the first launch its mission successfully, although the Cape Canaveral is the latest milestone of the its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape space shuttle can lose one or, later in to be reached by the upstart launch ser- Canaveral later this year. SpaceX con- flight, two main engines during launch vices provider as the company marches ducted the first full mission-duration and still reach orbit safely (as happened toward the first Falcon 9 launch later this of the 9-engine Falcon powerplant in during the launch of STS-51F in 1985). year. The first full mission-duration firing 2008 and, in January, lifted the first Fal- of the rocket’s engines was conducted In Florida SpaceX has spent the past year con 9 vehicle on its Florida launch pad. on November 22, 2008 at the SpaceX refurbishing the former Titan IV launch Horizontal integration of the 17 foot di- McGregor Test Facility in Texas. For the complex, SLC-40, into a state-of-the- ameter Falcon 9 was completed on De- static test firing, the first stage remained art launch facility, capable of support- cember 30, 2008. The rocket was mated firmly secured to the massive vertical ing both Falcon 9 and Falcon 9 Heavy as to the SpaceX-built transporter erector test stand, the powerplant consumed well as manned and unmanned launch- system which carried the 180 foot long 500,000 pounds of propellant during es of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. rocket to the launch pad at Space Launch its 178 second firing, the time the first “2008 has been a year of rapid prog- Complex 40. The first Falcon 9 was raised to stage will burn during an actual launch. ress for SpaceX,” said Musk. “The de- vertical shortly after noon on January 10. “The full mission-length test firing livery of the Falcon 9 to the Cape is a “Any engineered system has requirements clears the highest hurdle for the Falcon major milestone in designing and de- that can only be recognized through actu- 9 first stage before launch,” Musk said ploying the most reliable, cost-efficient al assembly of real hardware,” stated Brian after the test. “In the next few months, fleet of launch vehicles in the world.” Mosdell, Director of Florida Launch Oper- we will have the first Falcon 9 flight SpaceX’s manifest includes for Falcon ations for SpaceX. “This rapid integration vehicle on its launch pad at Cape Ca- 9 flights from Cape Canaveral in 2009, and stand-up provided our engineers naveral, preparing for lift-off in 2009.” including two demonstration flights of and technicians with invaluable insights The test facility, originally built by Dragon under NASA’s Commercial Or- that will greatly streamline our effort to- Beal Aerospace in the 1990’s for test- bital Transportation (COTS) competi- wards the first Falcon 9 launch in 2009.” ing the company’s rocket engines tion. SpaceX’s contract calls for a total “This entire process has helped us vali- then under development, required of three demonstration flights for haul- date key interfaces and operations pri- major upgrades to handle the tremen- ing cargo to the International Space or to executing our launch campaign dous thrust, heat and blast of Falcon 9. Station with an option of extending with the vehicle in its final flight con- the contract to include demonstrating “In the past month, we performed sig- figuration,” said Elon Musk, CEO and Dragon’s crew transport capability. But nificant upgrades to the test stand and CTO of SpaceX. “We encountered no first, SpaceX has to get its new rocket flame trench in preparation for this test,” show-stoppers or significant delays,” off the ground and sometime in the lat- said Tom Mueller, Vice President of Pro- ter half of 2009, the rumble of a new bird Delivered from the SpaceX facilities in pulsion for SpaceX. “We added the flight will be heard across the Cape as SpaceX’s California in sections, Separated into sec- base heat shields around the engines to first Falcon 9 launch vehicle takes flight. tions for travel, the major parts of rocket protect the bottom of the rocket from

10 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com Preparations for NASA’s Ares I-X test flight progressed steadily at Kennedy Space The combined crew module and escape Center in early 2009. During the first few NASA Prepares tower will be attached to the upper stage months of the year, major hardware ele- simulator and new interstage frustum sec- ments of the vehicle were delivered to KSC, For Ares I-X Test tion. The frustum will connect the upper including the launch abort tower, Orion stage to the solid-fueled first stage, a stan- spacecraft and upperstage simulator seg- dard 4-segment shuttle solid rocket boost- ment. In March, the last components of Ares Matthew Travis er with a simulated 5th segment on top. I-X, the solid rocket booster segments that The complete vehicle will be stacked on top will power the vehicle, arrived at Kennedy. of MLP-1 before being moved to Launch Once all major pieces of hardware had arrived, Complex 39-B for launch in July or August. work began to integrate and stack the Ares I-X rocket in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The launch platform that will be used for the launch, MLP-1, was handed over to the Constellation program following the launch of STS-119. On April 15, MLP-1 was moved into the VAB to begin stacking the vehicle on the platform. The stacking operation of the combined crew Above: Three new lighting protection module and launch abort system tower will towers stand at LC-39B. Credit: Matthew be used to demonstrate lifting, handling and Travis / The Spacearium stacking of Ares I-X flight test vehicle elements. “This launch will tell us what we got right and Ares I-X, the first Ares I test rocket with a what we got wrong in the design and analysis simulated upper stage and Orion, will lift phase,” said Jonathan Cruz, deputy project off from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. in the manager for Ares I-X CM/LAS. “We have a lot summer of 2009. It will climb about 25 of confidence, but we need those two minutes miles in a two-minute powered test of Ares of flight data before NASA can continue to I first stage performance and its first stage the next phase of rocket development,” he said. separation and parachute recovery system. The simulated crew module, faithful to the ve- Ares I-X will provide important data for hicle that will ferry astronauts to the Interna- developing Ares I in time to support the tional Space Station by 2015, to the moon in vehicle’s Critical Design Review in 2010. the 2020 timeframe and ultimately to points Sensors will measure aerodynamic pressure beyond, will measure approximately 16.4 ft in and temperature at the nose of the rocket, diameter. While the conical module will have and contribute to measurements of vehicle the same basic shape as the Apollo Command acceleration and angle of attack. How the Module, it will be significantly larger. The sim- tip of the rocket slices through the atmo- ulated launch abort system, positioned above sphere is important because that deter- the crew module at launch, will add another mines the flow of air over the entire vehicle. 46 feet in length to the combined simulator.

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Above: Ares I-X supper stage simula- tor and simulated launch abort system tower. Credit: Matthew Travis / The Spacearium.

Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 11 Harris, worked in the Office of -Tour Space Florida: Lost In Space? ism, Trade and Economic Development.

Harris allegedly violated ethics law by taking a job with the clinic after the deal with Florida had been approved. The Governor’s investigators agreed in a report released in April. They said that Harris, who was instrumental in the cre- ation of the proposal that led to Project Odyssey, violated state law when he took a job with the company after be- ing substantially involved in negotiat- ing a contract with them for the state.

Harris’ involvement in Project Odyssey extended so far as to include choos- ing the logos Worse than that, dur- Three years after being formed to bring fied by the budget climate in which the ing negotiations for Odyssey, it Harris order out of a mix of space-related state legislature has left no stone unturned who was the one who set the Director’s agencies, Space Florida finds itself fight- for cuts in an attempt to close a multi- $150,000 a year salary. Then he resigned ing for its life in the midst of a barrage of billion dollar budget deficit in 2009. his $70,000 state job to take the position. criticism and ethics investigations. From This has made Space Florida an attrac- arguments that the agency has produced tive target for its detractors who argue too few accomplishments after tens of mil- that dollars currently allocated for the Harris could face a $10,000 fine and be lions of dollars in state funding to an ethics agency could help close the deficit. ordered to pay back money to the state investigation involving a former state offi- in additional to possible criminal charges. cial, Space Florida, like its predecessors, is finding its very survival in danger at a crit- Among the scandals afflicting the After the investigative report was released, ical time for the space industry in Florida. agency is the space-tourist training program known as Project Odyssey. In the Florida Attorney General determined 2008, Space Florida arranged a non- that the state could press for a return of Created by the Florida legislature in 2006 competed state-funded $500,000 grant, any grant money already given to the clin- primarily through the merging of Florida half provided by Space Florida, to the ic. Odyssey may not survive the scandal. Space Authority, Florida Space Research Pensacola-based Andrews Orthope- Institute and the Florirda Aerospace Fi- dic and Sports Medicine Center to set The Project Odyssey fiasco isn’t the nance Corp., the agency was supposed up a facility to offer spaceflight train- only scandal to hit Space Florida. to streamline processes for space-related ing to wealthy potential space tourists. companies wanting to do business in the state, attract new businesses to Florida In 2007, space tourism company Zero However, before Space Florida en- and enhance the state’s ability to com- G, the company headed by Peter Dia- tered into an agreement with Andrews, pete with commercial spaceports in New mandis, the founder of the X Prize Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Mexico, Virginia and a host of other states. Foundation, signed two contracts with in Daytona Beach offered to establish Space Florida worth a total of $1 mil- just such a facility in 2006, but re- lion. The goal was to set up a Micrograv- Instead, critics say Space Florida has be- ceived no support from Space Florida. ity Education and Research Center that come mired in bureaucracy and politics, spending too much money keeping itself going while doing comparatively little Critics say the circumstances surround- to help the commercial space industry. ing the creation of Project Odyssey aren’t coincidental. The state agreed. Gover- nor Charlie Crist ordered his Inspector Space Florida’s troubles haven’t gone General Melinda Miguel to investigate unnoticed in Tallahassee, where a grow- the official who arranged the grant with ing number of legislators are demanding Andrews Orthopedic following a report fundamental changes to the agency un- by the Orlando Sentinel that raised seri- der the threat of dissolving it altogether. ous questions about potential conflicts Space Florida’s troubles have been ampli- of interest in the deal. The official, Brice

12 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com would provide workshops, educational the launch facility, state auditors recom- However, not everything has been bad material and microgravity flights to mended that the remaining funds for its news for Space Florida. In April, the leg- 16,000 teachers and students annually. development be frozen. Mike Fasano (R islature passed HB 69, which establishes – New Port Richey), Chairman of the Sen- the Space Transportation Research and ate Transportation and Economic Devel- Development Institute under the direc- Amid fanfare, the project took off opment Appropriations Committee, also tion of Embry-Riddle. The bill’s passage with a much-publicized zero-gravi- threatened a suspension of state funding is sort of a mixed blessing for Space ty flight by noted physicist Stephen until the master plan is completed. In re- Florida. The legislature left the question Hawking and the promise of thou- turn, Space Florida President Steve Kohler of funding unresolved since the legis- sands of teachers and student tak- assured the committee that the plan lation specifies that no money or state ing similar flights in the years to come. would be finished by the end of the year. staff will be used in 2009 to fund it. Origi- In the end, the program flew just 92 nally, its backers had wanted $500,000 teachers for the $1 million invested by to cover startup costs, but now the the state. Space Florida is accused of not In March, Fasano backed away from money will have to be found elsewhere, living up to its obligations to implement the political rhetoric, saying that Space presumably from federal resources. the plan created by Zero G. Its critics say Florida understood the threat of the the agency lacked the staff and expertise loss of funding was real and that it’s Space Florida’s troubles couldn’t come at necessary to satisfy its end of the deal. working to satisfy the legislature. How- a worse time for the state’s space industry. Instead, Space Florida insisted on chang- ever, the incident underscores the pre- NASA estimates that at least 3,500 jobs es to the agreement with Zero G that carious position of Space Florida and will be lost at Kennedy Space Center fol- would narrow the scope of the project its grand plans. The agency still has to lowing the retirement of the space shuttle to something the agency could handle. complete the master plan and there aren’t any companies publicly will- next year. Making matters worse, the state ing to commit to using the complex. could face the loss of between 9,000 and Zero G’s contract with Space Florida end- 30,000 jobs indirectly related to the space ed in 2008 and the last flight took off in industry. Those jobs would cut across in- February, leaving the company with more Meanwhile, the launch complex still dustries and include, for example, the than a hint of bitterness and another faces an uncertain future which is des- restaurants that serve space center work- black mark on Space Florida’s record. De- tined to make it even more difficult ers and hotels around the center that rely spite good intentions, the state’s space for Space Florida to market the facility on tourists visiting during shuttle launch- agency lacked the ability to fulfill an am- which has yet to attract a single compa- es for up to 85% of their annual income. bitious collaboration with an influential ny to launch from the historic complex. entrepreneurial space-related companies. It’s essential that Florida attract more pri- It’s not as though Space Florida isn’t try- vate companies such as Space Explora- Even Space Florida’s keystone initiative, ing to attract new businesses. At the time tion Technologies Corp. to mitigate the leasing and refurbishing Space Launch of publication, a proposal is languishing economic impact of the shuttle’s retire- Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Air Force in the state Senate that would provide ment. For thirty years, the economy of Station, has attracted criticism by those tax rebates to companies willing to the space industry in Florida, especially who see it as unnecessary or overly com- launch from the new facility. Senate Bill the Space Coast, has been deeply rooted plicated. Being a multi-use facility, it will 1526 would give companies a tax credit in the shuttle program. The state is trying have a key feature in its ability to host a to offset costs associated with launching to epxand the aerospace industrial base variety of launch vehicle configurations. from Cape Canaveral and would benefit for the post-shuttle era and avoid the lo- Supposedly an advantage, the capabil- companies whether or not they make cal economic depression that followed ity has had the opposite effect of -mak money on the launch. Companies would the cancellation of the Apollo program. ing potential users leery of its suitability get a tax break on half of the income tax for any specific launch vehicle. Instead, liability from launches or sell the credit Space Florida is tasked with taking the Space Florida is accused of following a to other companies if they post a loss. lead in efforts to save Florida’s space “build it and they will come” philosophy. . industry and the jobs of thousands of As reported in our News Briefs, although workers. The problems surrounding the Space Florida negotiated a lease with the the bill passed a vote in the Senate Com- agency have had the effect of damag- Air Force for use of SLC-36, the former At- merce Committee, it’s unlikely to make ing sympathy for the industry’s plight in las-Centaur launch complex, which it in- it through the full legislature before the the legislature and leave the state spin- tends to redevelop at a cost of $55 million. current session ends on May 1. Another ning its wheels trying to make progress Last year, the legislature authorized $14.5 initiative supported by the space com- on its projects. Lawmakers now face the million to begin the work with completion munity, $3 million in funding for work- question of whether or not Space Flori- targeted for 2010. Already, over $2 million force training has attracted little sup- da is in a position to guide the the state has been spent. But, since Space Florida port in a legislature looking for ways through the uncertain times. The answer has failed to complete a master plan for to save, not spend, money this year. to that question isn’t so straightforward.

Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 13 are competitors, we’re also colleagues and, in many cases, friends. There’s a Commentary lot of information sharing and col- I’ts beginning to feel lonely in here laboration that goes on behind the scenes. When some of the most expe- by Matthew Travis rienced members of our family leave, it represents a tremendous loss of re- As I write this, I’m reflecting on the it tries to find a buyer for the paper. sources. It also kills morale and makes state of the news industry, which, as us live in fear for our own careers. we all know, is dismal. That is to say, it’s dismal for the traditional news me- What does this mean for the public? dia. Organizations that have been the For one thing, the breadth and depth Admittedly, there’s little that can be foundation of the industry for decades of fact-based reporting on the space done except to wait out the storm and even years are crumbling before industry will suffer. The blogosphere, while trying to adapt to the new our eyes. In large part, this is due to described by many people as the heir conditions. The news industry will the growth of the Internet and “free” apparent to the news industry, cannot have to step up to the plate and trye news as well as current economic con- even hope to fill the void, even if it is to make up for what’s been lost. We ditions. To some degree, the decline more entertaining than “dry” report- must work harder and do more to of the news industry can also be at- ing. Bloggers tend to cite “legitimate” bring the story of space to the public. tributed to the fact that the mainstays news stories and then add their own It’s going to be difficult, but we have of the media have largely become bi- opinion and perspective, thereby gen- to take up the challenge or fall by ased, agenda-driven outlets that tailor erating a discussion among their read- the wayside of 21st Century media. their coverage to fit the point they ers (and website hits which turn into ad revenue). Without the hard news are trying to make, which has driven Far from being a disappointment, away readers. However, regardless stories to comment on, bloggers will need to do their own research and this challenge presents us with an of the causes, the industry is in bad unprecedented opportunity. It rep- shape and all areas of news, from reporting. But, lacking the access pro- vided that being an accredited journal- resents a passing of the torch. It’s a lifestyle to sports, has been affected. chance to change, improve and build Space news coverage is no exception. ist with a news company gives, quality of reporting will suffer. Miles O’Brien on the foundation that’s already been could get an interview with a Sena- laid before us. If we do it right, the In recent months, several respected tor or NASA Administrator by virtue end result can be something better, veterans of the space beat have been let of his employment at CNN. Blogger more informative and inspirational go by their respective employers. Craig Joe… cannot. Instead, the blogosphere to the public - if we do it right and Covault of Aviation Week, Miles is filled with second-hand informa- recognize that the nature of media O’Brien from CNN and, most recent- tion, hearsay and opinion. While it is has changed in the past 15 years. We ly, Mark Carreau from the Houston informative, entertaining and impor- must embrace the changes and treat Chronicle have lost their jobs. Now, tant in its proper place, it is not, by def- it as an advantage, not a threat. I be- these gentlemen aren’t minor beat re- inition, news reporting. It is commen- lieve we can do that. That’s my hope porters whose wortk went unnoticed. tary, and the two are different. That’s and challenge to the entire industry. They have been fixtures on the space why newspapers have op-ed pages I hope we live up to the challenge. scene for decades, their bylines synon- separate from the hard news. Both ymous with spaceflight. However, it are important, but both are different. Matthew Travis is Editor-in-Chief of isn’t just those reporters from the larg- Florida Space Magazine and Execu- est news organizations who are being tive Director of the Florida-based affected. for example, last February, I The impact of industry downsizing is non-profit Aerospace Research & learned that my friend and colleague also impacting those of us still around. Engineering Systems Institute, Inc. from the Daytona Beach News-Jour- We will have a harder time doing our Mr. Travis has been a videojour- nal, Sandra Frederick, was let go in one jobs while simultaneously trying to fill nalist and reporter on the space of that company’s rounds of layoffs as some pretty big shoes. Although we scene at Cape Canaveral since 2003.

14 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com ranged from around $80 to $250 million dol- lars per flight. At the high end, with a maxi- mum payload, this would have resulted in a A History of Shuttle-C launch vehicle with a cost to orbit of approxi- mately $2500/lb. Before there was Ares, NASA seriously The Shuttle-C was originally envisioned as be- ing an expendable unpiloted cargo-only vehi- studied options for a shuttle-derived rocket cle, derived from existing space shuttle compo- nents. It would have been capable of lofting 50 to 75 ton payloads to Low Earth Orbit at 220 miles and a 28.5 degree inclination. It would utilize the existing shuttle SRM’s, SSME’s and external tank but replace the orbiter with an unpiloted expendable cargo pod. A main impetus for the development of the vehicle was the desire to reduce the cost, com- plexity and timeframe for deployment of the space station. It was estimated that the time to deploy the Freedom space station could have been reduced from 36 to 19 months by using 5 Shuttle-C flights to replace 12 shuttle flights. Additionally, lab modules could have been launched fully instrumented. Current- ly, international space station elements are launched empty and then outfitted on suc- ceeding shuttle logistics flights. This consumes time and money. The U.S. lab module Destiny, launched in 2001, is still not fully outfitted. The Shuttle-C would have been able to place into orbit on one flight a fully instrumented 70,000 lb. lab module whereas the space shuttle is practically limited to around 35,000 During the 1980’s early 1990’s, NASA and the past efforts, examined in the present day pounds (due to the high inclination orbit of industry studied the possibility of developing context. ISS and the needs to carry food, life-support, etc. for a crew of 7). Another benefit of Shut- an unmanned launch vehicle derived from in- A central design goal for the Shuttle-C ve- tle-C was that a single flight could have met dividual components of the Space Transpor- hicle was to maximize compatibility with over half, 55%, of the space station’s resupply tation System. Several variants of the shuttle- existing shuttle infrastructure. Another cen- needs for a year. derived vehicle were designed on paper. One tral focus was maximizing the existing space design, called Shuttle-C (the “C” referring to shuttle knowledge base in operations. These In retrospect, and especially in the post-Co- Cargo) attained a measure of popularity. This complemented each other in reaching the lumbia context, a shuttle-derived cargo vehi- vehicle would have been used to loft segments ultimate goal of minimizing development cle seems desirable. However, there were both of a space station as well as components of cost and time and cost of operations. Stud- positives and negatives surrounding the pro- lunar and interplanetary manned spacecraft. ies of options were ongoing from approxi- posal. Using the shuttle SSME’s meant that In the end, development could not be justi- mately 1984 through 1994. Several industry the Shuttle-C flight rate would be limited by fied based on flight rate and impact to shuttle summits and conferences took place during the availability of those engines. The idea was operations. Perhaps it is more accurate to state this time with the purpose of educating and to use SSME’s on the space shuttle first and that due to a lack of courage and forward building support within the future user com- then after 10-20 flights, when they are retired, thinking, development was not pursued. munity as to the potential of such a vehicle. to put them on Shuttle-C. This cost-saving With the unveiling of President Bush’s explo- Unfortunately, the proposed spreading of concept would avoid the $40 million cost to ration policy on January 14, 2004, the concept development costs current with development procure each new SSME. It also meant that of a shuttle-derived vehicle is once again gar- of the space station worried the science and the flight rate of the Shuttle-C would be de- nering serious attention. The looming retire- space station communities that their budgets pendent on the rate at which SSME’s would ment of the space shuttle as a manned launch would be adversely impacted and support be moved from the space shuttle. system and the need for some sort of heavy lift never reached critical mass. Additionally, existing facilities would be capability to be developed with minimal cost Development costs for the Shuttle-C were shared with the shuttle. The cost of modifica- and time, it is possible that this time around, variously estimated at between $.75 and $1.5 tions to the facilities was relatively low, esti- the Shuttle-C will find more support than in billion, with a development time of approxi- mated at $20-50 million by some. This would the past. It may be helpful to take a look at mately 4 years. Per flight cost estimates permit a flight rate of 11 shuttles and 3

Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 15 Shuttle-C vehicles per year. At the time, pro- deploy the space station, Shuttle-C could have jections for a shuttle flight rate of between 12 found use in manned lunar operations, heavy and 18 flights per year were still being consid- interplanetary missions, and missions requir- ered and so there was significant concern that ing the Centaur-G Prime upper stage which Shuttle-C operations could negatively im- had been developed for the shuttle and then pact the shuttle. In the present-day context of abandoned after Challenger. However, eco- holding the shuttle flight rate to 5 flights per nomic viability would only be realized if those year (due to budget constraints), this might payloads were significantly more massive than be less of a factor. existing launch vehicles could carry. In terms of costs, NASA projected the cost of A Shuttle-C variant has also been considered a Shuttle-C flight would be about the same as for use in manned lunar and planetary mis- for the space shuttle, $240 million per flight sions. Under one scenario, the Shuttle-C in 1988 dollars. The cost savings came from would have been used to accelerate the comple- the fact that the payload mass to orbit was in- tion of space station Freedom and then would creased threefold, resulting in a cost to orbit be employed for lunar missions. Shuttle-C of around $2,000-$2500/lb. for a fully-load- would be used to lift the lunar vehicles and ed vehicle. This is a key point. The Shuttle-C propellant into low-earth orbit at the space was only economically viable if it was flown station while the space shuttle would carry the with as close to maximum payload weight as crews and supplies to Freedom. Preparations possible. With a 40,000 pound payload, the for lunar missions would be conducted at the cost per pound to orbit would be the same space station, outfitting the lunar vehicles, per- as for the same payload being flown on the forming checks and maintenance, etc. Then shuttle. The Shuttle-C, designed to rely on the missions would be launched from low- shuttle technology, would not achieve the earth orbit. Three Shuttle-C launches would goal of providing an economical lift to orbit be required for each lunar mission: one launch by being a simpler or cheaper vehicle to oper- to deliver the lunar vehicle to Earth orbit and ate. It would reach the goal purely through its two launches to deliver propellant and vola- massive heavy lifting capabilities. tiles. Two different Shuttle-C versions would Estimates for the development costs of the be required. One version would have a 25m by Advertise Shuttle-C ranged from $740 million to $1.5 4.6m cargo volume and could deliver compact billion, according to NASA estimates. This 150,000lb. payloads to Freedom. The other did not include the cost of modifying existing version would have a 7.6m dia. payload fairing Here facilities to support the new vehicle. By this for launching lunar lander vehicles, return ve- estimate, Shuttle-C would have paid for itself hicles and aerobrake elements. Its payload ca- had it been used to deploy the space station, pability would only be 120,000lb., and would requiring 7 fewer shuttle or Shuttle-C flights necessitate modifications to shuttle launch overall. Beyond its ability to help and payload processing infrastructure beyond those required for the baseline Shuttle-C.

16 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com Development costs, including the first 5 flight viable option as the primary heavy-lift launch impact into the ocean or on land, even with vehicles, were estimated at around $5.3 billion vehicle. This analysis assumes an expendable the best of parachutes would render the en- dollars. Shuttle-C and, of course, does not take into gines unusable. This is purely due to the de- sign of the engines and the way they are manu- A 1988 report by the Office of Technol- account cost-saving options that are available factured. Even the slightest dent in the engine ogy Assessment gave a sober analysis of the now. bell means the engine is rendered so much Shuttle-C proposal as it was envisioned in the What possibilities exist now to reduce the scrap metal. If it’s even possible to reverse-en- mid-80’s. While the numbers use the 1988 costs of a shuttle-derived vehicle? Some have gineer the SSME’s in order to make them value of the dollar, the economics are still reusable in such a manner, the costs of valid. The report showed that Shuttle-C doing so would rival that of developing could pay for its own development after a new powerplant from scratch and the just a few flights. It also detailed that, at costs of refurbishing the engines would higher launch rates, the marginal costs of perhaps be greater than the approx. $50 operating the system would be excessive million cost of a new engine. A more at- and make it uneconomical for use as the tractive option might be to use SSME’s primary heavy-lift launch vehicle for the after they’re retired and throw them nation. away after each flight. Then when that OTA studied several mission models for stockpile is depleted, utilize a different the Shuttle-C, analyzing manifest scenar- expendable engine. ios that included various combinations of Two engines currently in operation Shuttle-C, space shuttle, and Titan IV. have potential use in a shuttle-derived The timeframe of the study covered the vehicle. Both the RD-180 and RS-68 years 1989-2010 and assumed the space (used on the Atlas III and V and on the station Freedom design circa 1987 would Delta IV, respectively) could be utilized be the space station that would eventu- on Shuttle-C. Since the RD-180 isn’t ally be built. Their analysis showed that designed to use liquid hydrogen as a the incremental (i.e. per flight) would fuel, it would probably have a higher increase substantially in the later years development cost before being certified and even more so at higher flight rates. The for use on Shuttle-C. The RS-68, however, incremental costs would exceed 400% that of suggested reusing the SSME’s in a recover- is a LOX-LOH engine. Furthermore, it has a the shuttle and 200% of the Titan IV (as envi- able engine module. However, this option higher thrust than the SSME and is designed sioned at the time). These costs included $55 would likely result in increased costs. The to be a relatively low-cost expendable engine. million for the cargo pod, $55 million for the SSME’s were designed for benign landings. It also has the added advantage of being much engine compartment and rear module (not They would not be easily (if it’s even pos- lighter than the SSME and hence there is an including the cost of the SSME’s themselves) sible) refurbished following a landing in the increase in the payload carrying capability for and $56 million for other components such corrosive and dirty saltwater ocean. They are the vehicle. It has all of the necessary capa- as the ET and OMS engines. For an expend- simply not designed for such robustness and bilities, including thrust, specific impulse and able Shuttle-C, this represents a $176 million it wasn’t a design goal. Secondly, the force of throttlability. Being a simpler engine than the throwaway cost, and does not include other SSME, it also compares favorably in terms costs such as SRB refurbishment and flight operations. Over the lifetime of the mission model, life- cycle costs ranged from approximately $90 billion to over $200 billion, depending on the growth model used. Annual funding rates would grow from approximately $8 billion to over $20 billion at a minimum, in current year dollars. It’s interesting to note that the latter figure exceeds the total NASA budget as it is currently projected to be in 2010 under Presi- Advertise Here dent Bush’s space policy announced Jan. 14, [email protected] 2004. It becomes obvious that a shuttle derived vehicle, in the form of Shuttle-C, is not, by definition, a cheap launch vehicle. The costs of developing and operating such a vehicle would be high, and potentially greater than that for the shuttle. As such, OTA concluded that Shuttle-C would not be an economically

Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 17 of reliability. The SSME’s have a very high reli- vehicles, the LOX tank isn’t insulated at all. provide the massive heavy-lift capability ability (only one engine-out situation in over A shuttle-derived vehicle would require less that Shuttle-C would give. Second, a good 110 flights) but that reliability has come at the external insulation and would permit simpler portion of the complexity and, hence, as- cost of a huge standing army of people to re- application. The net result would be a sub- sociated costs and reliability concerns of the furbish, rebuild, test and prepare each engine stantially lighter external tank, a vehicle that space shuttle would be retained even in an after every flight. Given these factors, the Boe- could carry more mass to orbit, and an ET unmanned mode of operation. While safety ing Rocketdyne RS-68 may be more desirable that would be cheaper to construct. of astronauts would no longer be a concern, than the SSME for the choice of powerplant Another possibility is to add a fifth segment that doesn’t mean it would be acceptable to for a shuttle-derived vehicle. to the current 4 segment RSRM motors. This lose an orbiter. Tile damage, landing gear or Other cost-saving measures were not consid- can be done at a nominal cost above the base tire issues, payload bay doors failing to latch ered in past studies. Without the presence of cost of an SRM segment. ATK has already properly are all concerns of the space shuttle a manned orbiter, the necessity to have insula- test-fired a 5 segment solid rocket booster that wouldn’t be lessened by taking the crew tion on the external tank is lessened. The pri- with satisfactory results that demonstrated its off the orbiter. In fact, those concerns would mary purposes of the foam insulation are two- technical feasibility. Certifying and using a 5 be magnified since there wouldn’t be a repair fold. First, it reduces the amount of boiloff segment RSRM on the current shuttle stack crew on hand to fix anything that breaks. De- of propellant as the vehicle is sitting on the is not economically feasible. The changes in velopment and operating costs would not be pad, fueled and waiting for launch. The other stresses and aerodynamics mean that there better than for Shuttle-C, payload lift capa- purpose is to protect the orbiter from falling would be a high cost to test and certify the bility would be much less and reliability con- - ice during liftoff. The latter purpose is really system to fly with 5 segment boosters. How- cerns would be much greater. While operat ing the space shuttle in an autonomous mode the driving factor in the amount of insulation ever, without an orbiter present, this task is possible, its viability and advisability has yet and the method of application on the current would be simplified. Since a shuttle derived to be determined. space shuttle system. Without an orbiter pres- vehicle would require those analyses and ent, frost and ice is no longer as much of a con- certifications to be accomplished anyway, Concepts for a heavy lift launch vehicle de- cern. In fact, the liquid oxygen tank would not the additional development cost of design- rived by reusing select components of the need insulation at all. While boiloff would be ing the system to use 5 segment boosters Space Transportation System have been greater, the cost for the amount lost would be would be less than for retrofitting the space around since the beginning of the space shut- more than compensated for by the increase shuttle. If RS-68 engines are used in place of tle program. The hope was to use a shuttle de- in payload capacity without the additional the SSME’s, then the additional mass of two rived vehicle in support of space station Free- mass of the insulation. Since liquid hydrogen RSRM segments would be partially offset by dom construction. Development progressed has a much lower temperature than even that the lighter mass of the main engines and the beyond wind-tunnel studies and into hard- of liquid oxygen, some insulation would still remainder compensated for by the higher ware development, in the form of engineer- be required in order to control boiloff. This thrust of the RS-68. ing mockups for the most part. However, as is similar to other launch vehicles where the Freedom costs began to skyrocket, Shuttle-C It is important to note that present day cir- liquid oxygen tank carries less insulation than development was seen as taking funds away cumstances, and the conditions that will exist the liquid hydrogen tank. On some launch from the space station and support quickly in the coming years, are significantly different faded. When Freedom was redesigned and than those predicted in 1988. Most signifi- downsized into the International Space Sta- cantly, the space shuttle will be retired some- tion, no provision or serious consideration time around 2010. As a result, any shuttle de- was given for a shuttle-derived vehicle. Dur- rived vehicle that comes to fruition will not ing the 1990’s as budgets and costs became have to share facilities and personnel with the the primary concern for NASA, and as ISS space shuttle. Any modifications to existing began to consume an ever greater percentage facilities, property and procedures will not of the budget, there wasn’t any room for de- have to take into account the impact to shut- velopment of a new launch vehicle. tle operations that it will have. Along those same lines, NASA will have greater freedom With retirement of the space shuttle loom- to alter existing infrastructure specifically for ing on the horizon, NASA will lose its only a shuttle-derived vehicle and to do so in such heavy-lift launch vehicle. Moreover, after Advertise Here a way as to minimize cost. assembly of the space station is completed, NASA’s vision will look farther out to a re- [email protected] Another possible concept for a shuttle-de- turn to manned flight to the Moon. Plans are rived vehicle results from the retirement of still in the very early stages, but after the Space the space shuttle as a manned launch system. Transportation System is retired, NASA will This would be to retrofit the space shuttle need a new vehicle for very large payloads. with the necessary avionics and equipment Today, NASA is looking to fulfill a new goal in order to permit it to fly in an unmanned - to go to the Moon, Mars and beyond, Once autonomous mode. By removing compo- again the agency is looking at developing a nents needed to support an astronaut crew, it new massive heavy-lift launch vehicle, Ares V, is possible that the space shuttle could carry using components of the shuttle system. an additional 25,000 pounds of payload. The drawbacks are twofold. First, this would not

18 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com Events Calendar MAY 20-23, 2009 NASA Astrobiology Institute ABGradCon 2009 The primary objective of AbGradCon is to improve the future of astrobiology research by bringing together in a unique setting the early-career astrobiologists (graduate students and post-doctoral fellows within 2 years of finishing their Ph.D.) who will lead such research in the years to come. http://astrobio.terc.edu —University of Washington, Seattle, WA, US

May 28-31, 2009 NSS International Space Development Apollo XI 40th Aniversary Event at U.S. Advisory Committee Meeting Conference 2009 Space Walk Of Fame 12:00 - 1:30 PM Eastern Time. For more in- The International Space Development Con- The Space Walk of Fame, the Astro- formation, contact Deb Spicer, Vice Presi- ference (ISDC) is the annual conference for naut Memorial Foundation, the KSC dent of Communications, Government & the National Space Society and has grown Visitor Complex and the NASA Kennedy External Affairs at dspicer@spaceflorida. into the largest public space conference of Space Center are hosting an Apollo XI gov. the year. It is a national gathering for space- 40th anniversary event July 24th, 2009. —Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex interested leaders and citizens to connect, re-energize and make plans for the future. https://app.expressemailmarketing. June 22, 2009 com/Survey.aspx?SFID=57305 http://www.isdc2009.org Space Florida Spaceport Operations [email protected] —Cocoa Beach, FL, US Advisory Committee Meeting —1500 Masters Blvd, Orlando, Florida, US 10:00 - 11:30 AM Eastern Time. Space May 26, 2009 Florida South Campus Conference Room, July 18-20, 2009 Space Florida Executive Committee 100 Spaceport Way, Cape Canaveral. For Space Frontier Foundation NewSpace Meeting more information, contact Deb Spicer, at [email protected]. Conference 9:00 - 10:00 AM Eastern Time.Space Flori- da, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. —Cape Canaveral, Florida The conference will kick off with a film For more information, contact Deb Spicer, screening of “Orphans of Apollo” the eve- Vice President of Communications, Gov- ning of Friday, July 17, open to the general June 22, 2009 ernment & External Affairs at dspicer@ Space Florida Education, Research & public. A single track of programming will spaceflorida.gov. explore the exciting potential of NewSpace Development, & Workforce Advisory on Saturday and the business realities of —Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Committee Meeting NewSpace on Sunday--including a busi- 2:00 - 3:30 PM Eastern Time. Space Florida, ness plan competition in which entrepre- June 3, 2009 Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. For neurs will compete in front of investors and Space Florida Budget & Finance Commit- more information, contact Deb Spicer, V.P. analysts for cash prizes and private meet- tee Meeting of Communications, Government & Exter- ings. On Monday, we will join in a combined BUDGET REVIEW SESSION. Wednesday, nal Affairs at [email protected]. commemoration of the Apollo landing June 3, 2009. 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM Eastern with NASA Ames’ Lunar Sciences Institute. —Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Time. For more information, contact Deb

Spicer, Vice President of Communications, http://www.spacefrontier.org/news- July 16, 2009 Government & External Affairs atdspicer@ pace2009 spaceflorida.gov. NASA Advisory Council Meeting —NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Thursday, July 16, 2009 —Space Florida, 225 East Robinson St., Field, CA, US Suite 100, Orlando —NASA ARC, Moffett Field, CA, US

July 24, 2009 June 22, 2009 Space Florida Business Development

Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 19 Photo Gallery Photo Credit: NASA / Kennedy Space Center ...Remembering Apollo At Kennedy Space Center

Aerial view of SA-4 on Complex 34 with gantry rolled back Launch of Saturn SA-5 at Complex 37, Pad B

VAB and Launch Umbilical Towers under construction Aerial view of SA-500F and pad 39A

Aerial view of launch pad 39-A (pad 39-B in the distance) Aerial view of Mobile Launchers under construction

20 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com Mobile launcher water deluge test at pad 39A Saturn SA-500F June 22, 1966

Saturn V SA-500F on pad 39A during the Gemini 11 liftoff Apollo 14 liftoff from launch tower camera

Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com 21 The first Saturn V lifts off from pad 39-A Skylab 2 on pad 39-B. Skylab 1 in foreground at pad 39-A

Skylab 1 launched from Pad 39A as Skylab 2 sits on Pad 39B Early morning view of ASTP Saturn IB on pad 39-B

Launch of Apollo 16 ASTP crewmen “Deke” Slayton, Tom Stafford and Vance Brand

22 Florida Space Magazine ~ www.floridaspacemagazine.com Global Launch Manifest May 7 ~ Soyuz ~ Progress 33P 33rd Progress cargo resupply ship to the April 19 ~ Sea Launch ~ Sicral 1B International Space Station. Sea Launch Zenit 3SL with Italy’s Sicral 1B - Launch Time: TBD military telecommunications satellite. Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan - Launch Time: 4:16-5:13 a.m. EDT Odyssey platform, Pacific Ocean (154° West, 0° North) May 12 ~ Shuttle Atlantis ~ HST Servic- ing - Launch Time: TBD April 20 ~ PSLV ~ RISAT STS-125 - fifth space shuttle mission to ser- India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle vice the Hubble Space Telescope. ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana launches the Radar Imaging Satellite (RI- - Launch Time: 1:31 p.m. EDT SAT) and ANUSAT microsatellite. LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida - Launch Time: TBD June 13 ~ Shuttle Endeavour ~ ISS 2J/A Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India STS-127 will be the 29th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. May 13 ~ Proton ~ ProtoStar 2 - Launch Time: Approx. 7:25 a.m. EDT An International Launch Services Proton April 20 ~ Falcon 1 ~ RazakSat rocket with Breeze M upper stage launches LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida Falcon 1 rocket with the RazakSat (MAC- ProtoStar 2 communications satellite. Sat, or Medium-sized Aperture Camera - Launch Time: 8:58 p.m. EDT on May 13 Satellite) Earth-imaging spacecraft for Ma- June ~ Dnepr ~ Multi-payload laysia. Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan A Dnepr rocket (ISC Kosmotras) will launch - Launch Time: 7 p.m. EDT a cluster of small satellites. Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands Mid-May ~ Delta 4 ~ GOES O - Launch Time: TBD Delta 4 will launch the Geostationary Op- Dombarovsky, Russia erational Environmental Satellite O, or May 5 ~ Delta 2 ~ STSS-ATRR GOES-O, for NASA and NOAA. Delta 2 with the Missile Defense Agency’s - Launch Time: Approx. 6:24-7:24 p.m. EDT June ~ Land Launch ~ MEASAT 3a Space Tracking and Surveillance System SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida Zenit 3SLB rocket with the MEASAT 3a tele- Advanced Technology Risk Reduction vision broadcasting satellite for MEASAT (STSS-ATRR). Satellite Systems of Malaysia. - Launch Time: TBD May 27 ~ Soyuz ~ ISS 19S - Launch Time: TBD SLC-2W, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Soyuz TMA spacecraft to the International Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan Space Station with members of the Expedi- tion 20 crew. May 5 ~ Minotaur ~ TacSat 3 - Launch Time: TBD June 29 ~ Proton ~ Sirius FM5 An Orbital Sciences Minotaur rocket will Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage launch TacSat 3 for the Air Force Research will deliver the Sirius FM5 radio broadcast- Laboratory. ing spacecraft. - Launch Time: TBD June 2 ~ Atlas 5 ~ LRO - Launch Time: TBD Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Wallops Island, Atlas 5 will launch NASA’s Lunar Recon- Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan Virginia naissance Orbiter and secondary Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite lunar impactor. July 24 ~ Soyuz ~ Progress 34P May 6 ~ Ariane 5 ~ Herschel & Planck - Launch Time: TBD Soyuz will launch the 34th Progress resup- Ariane 5 with ECA upper stage launches SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida ply spacecraft to the International Space the European Space Agency’s Herschel and Station. Planck observatories. - Launch Time: TBD - Launch Time: TBD June ~ Ariane 5 ~ TerreStar 1 Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana An Ariane 5 rocket with an ECA upper stage will launch TerreStar 1.

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Photo Credit: NASA