Florida Spaceport System Plan 2018
Florida Spaceport System Plan 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD...... 5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 7 1 INTRODUCTION...... 11 1.1 Spaceport History...... 12 1.2 A Statewide Authority for the Nation’s First Spaceport System...... 13 1.3 Emerging Space Transportation Trends Affecting the Statewide System and Spaceport Types...14 1.4 Today’s Competition on a National and Worldwide Level...... 16 1.5 Competing States Spaceports and Spaceport Systems...... 18 1.6 System Components...... 20 1.7 Florida Spaceport System Goals And Florida Transportation Plan Goal Comparison...... 23 2 FLORIDA’S EXISTING SPACEPORT SYSTEM...... 25 2.1 Inventory of System Condition and Performance...... 26 2.2 Classification of Spaceports...... 39 2.3 Governance and funding...... 41 2.4 Florida’s Competitive Advantages ...... 45 3 CURRENT DEMAND AND NEED...... 47 3.1 Demand...... 48 3.2 Needs...... 55 3.3 Challenges...... 58 4 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM VISION...... 65 4.1 Introduction...... 66 4.2 Spaceport and spaceport territories...... 69 4.3 Control centers and airspace...... 72 4.4 Spacecraft and launch vehicles...... 73 4.5 Payload Processing Facilities...... 74 4.6 Intermodal Connections...... 76 4.7 Summary...... 77 5 IMPLEMENTING THE VISION...... 79 5.1 Collaboration and Decision-Making Structure...... 80 5.2 Organize Spaceport Territory Planning By Area...... 82 5.3 Establish System-wide Program Funding and Prioritization Criteria...... 83 5.4 Upgrade and Maintain Essential Infrastructure...... 84 5.5 Create a System-Wide Branding Identity and Marketing Strategy...... 85 5.6 Communicate the Importance of Florida’s Spaceport System...... 87 5.7 Summary...... 88
2 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN APPENDIX A EVOLUTION OF SPACEPORT AUTHORITY ROLE...... 89 A.1 Introduction...... 90 A.2 Space Transportation and Spaceport Policy Engagement...... 90 A.3 Transitioning State and Federal Jurisdictional Roles...... 91 A.4 Range and Operational Safety Emergency Response...... 91 A.5 Commercial Range Instrumentation and Capabilities...... 91 A.6 Land Use Planning to Support Future Capacity Needs...... 92 APPENDIX B UNFUNDED NEEDS ...... 93
FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 3 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.4a U.S. Spaceports Figure 1.4b Global Spaceports Figure 1.5a Conceptual launch site facilities for Spaceport Camden and locational map of the proposed site Figure 1.6a Current and Future Orbital Launch Vehicles Figure 1.7a Florida Spaceport System Plan Goals Figure 2.1a Florida’s Existing Spaceport System Figure 2.1b Florida Spaceport Capabilities Figure 2.1c Cape Canaveral Spaceport Figure 2.1d Cecil Airport Diagram Figure 2.1e Cecil Spaceport Apron and Taxiway Figure 2.1f Atlantic Launch Operating Area (including the CCAFS Eastern Range) Figure 2.1g Cape Canaveral Spaceport FAA Approved Operating Area Figure 2.1h Cape Canaveral Spaceport Conceptual Horizontal Launch Operations Figure 2.1i Cecil Spaceport FAA Approved Operating Area Figure 2.1j Cecil Spaceport Proposed Westerly Corridor for Suborbital Flights Figure 2.1k Florida’s SIS Figure 2.3a Florida Spaceport System and Master Planning Figure 3.1a Total Number of Orbital Launches Conducted by Country (2006-2017) Figure 3.1b Total Worlwide and Commercial Launch Activity Figure 3.1c Historical and Projected Commercial Orbital Launches by Industry Segment. Figure 3.1d Possible, Probable, Existing, and Non-addressable Orbital Missions Projected for the State of Florida Based on Worldwide Orbital Launch Forecast (2016-2023) Figure 3.1e 10-year RLV demand forecast Figure 3.2a Generic launch vehicle and payload processing overview Figure 3.2b Generic launch vehicle and payload processing detail for orbital flights Figure 4.1a Space Florida’s Vision 2025 Figure 4.1b Florida Spaceport System Plan Goals Figure 4.2a Florida Land Uses that Impact Spaceport System Planning Figure 4.2b Future Florida Spaceport System Concept Figure 5.1a Governance Model of Florida Spaceport System Figure 5.3a Call for Projects and Prioritization
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.5a FAA-Licensed Commercial Spaceports in the United States Table 2.2a Florida Spaceport Classifications (Proposed) Table 2.3a Principal State-Facilitated Funding Investments to Date
4 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN FOREWORD FOREWORD
FOREWORD TO 2018 UPDATE In April 2013, Florida published the nation’s first a continuing dynamic evolution of the broader Spaceport System Plan. The plan described the domestic and international spaceport environment, elements and functionality of Florida’s current and will soon require a more extensive revision of future spaceport system. It included the evolving Florida’s space transportation planning. space transportation industry’s place within the Florida Transportation Plan and its Strategic This 2018 update provides an interim update Intermodal System. Most importantly, it established in preparation and expectation for a more system goals and an implementation approach for comprehensive reassessment of the Florida determining system-wide needs and identifying Spaceport System Plan in 2019-2020. system-wide priorities for funding. Florida’s Wherever practical and available, material and data Spaceport System Plan addresses the Legislative regarding system elements and industry trends intent and requirements of Space Florida’s have been brought up to date. Planning information authorizing statute – Chapter 331 Part II. has been solicited from component spaceports and The space transportation industry has seen rapid incorporated. New sections have been added to and dramatic developments since publication of describe the anticipated evolution of Space Florida’s the initial Florida Spaceport System Plan. This 2018 system-wide spaceport authority roles, and provide update is intended to address the most significant a listing of identified unfunded needs. of those developments while recognizing the sound The Florida Spaceport System Plan will continue foundation of the original plan. At the same time, to provide a forward looking vision and planning every component spaceport and federal launch tool for strategically managing Florida’s on-going facility included in the 2018 Florida Spaceport initiative to be a world leader in global space System Plan is currently undergoing significant transportation and the industries it supports. revision of their respective long range plans. These revisions to the long range plans, coupled with
6 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Florida’s transportation infrastructure is its two spaceports and related space transportation consistently ranked among the best in the nation, its infrastructure as an integral element of Florida’s SIS. space transportation capabilities widely recognized Functioning as an integrated intermodal network, as the best on the planet. Florida’s transportation system underpins its strength as the 19th largest economy in the world, Florida not only leads in its infrastructure, it leads in and will facilitate its role as the leader in enabling its vision, policy, and planning for how all its forms global space commerce throughout the 21st of transportation can be integrated into a single Century and beyond. transportation network – a Strategic Intermodal System (SIS). Florida’s Legislature has defined and designated five geographic areas of the State as spaceport Florida’s transportation leaders view space not territories. Existing, planned, and future space as a program, but as a collection of high value transportation facilities within these territories, destinations requiring the transport of people and together with the statewide industry and technology goods originating from locations around the world assets supporting space transportation, comprise to locations beyond earth’s atmosphere. They view the Florida Spaceport System.
8 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Space Florida, an independent special district and • Space transportation and space policy political subdivision of the State, was created by engagement regionally, nationally, and the Legislature in 2006 via a statewide charter to internationally develop a master plan for the modernization and • Active engagement with the National growth of space transportation infrastructure in Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), the designated territories. Space Florida was directed United States Air Force (USAF), and the Federal to serve as a spaceport authority for purposes Aviation Administration (FAA) in visioning and of identifying and planning a spaceport system planning the spaceport of the future, including to accommodate current and future commercial, the transitioning of state and federal roles national, and state space transportation requirements. • Supporting space transportation and advanced aerospace activities throughout Florida in range This Florida Spaceport System Plan (FSSP) is and operations safety, as well as emergency intended to satisfy that statutory responsibility by response when needed integrating the site-specific master plans of Florida’s two existing spaceports – the Cape Canaveral • Developing approaches to support and facilitate Spaceport and Cecil Spaceport – as well as map commercial range safety and flight monitoring potential future spaceport territory development instrumentation, together with development of that may be required to accommodate the needs commercially operated support services of the space transportation industry. The State of • Proactive participation in Florida land use Florida’s FSSP is a first in the nation. planning, including planning on federal As determined in the development of the initial properties, to help ensure capacity for future 2013 FSSP, this 2018 update concludes that there space transportation needs is ample existing capacity within the territories of The plan defines the Florida Spaceport System the two existing Florida spaceports. That existing vision, and an approach to implementation that capacity and its growth potential will satisfy includes: foreseeable launch and launch-related support operations as well as most, perhaps all, of the • A collaboration and decision-making structure capabilities required for recovery and refurbishment of reusable space transportation systems. • System-wide program funding and prioritization criteria While the FSSP describes trends in the national • Modernization and sustainment of essential and international proliferation of space launch infrastructure sites – an emerging global network of spaceports – it also highlights the commanding competitive • Enhanced marketing and customer service focus position of Florida’s Spaceport System. Cape Canaveral Spaceport is clearly the world’s leading • Communicating to stakeholders the importance orbital spaceport in terms of diversity of operating of the Florida Spaceport System systems, capacity for lifting metric tons of cargo, Florida’s transportation trends reflect how support for human spaceflight, and adaptability to technology is changing how we live, how we the evolution of space transportation technologies. get ourselves from place to place, and how we That competitive position is further strengthened deliver the goods and services essential to the by the complementary capacity and capability of well-being of our global community. In no mode Jacksonville’s Cecil Spaceport, which provides the of transportation is the influence of advancing infrastructure necessary to support the needs of technology and innovation more evident than it is in the horizontal launch industry. space transportation. The FSSP establishes clear system goals that align In visioning, planning, and implementing the with those of the Florida Transportation Plan. It spaceport system of the future, Florida is ensuring addresses the opportunities and challenges of a its citizens, its visitors, and its trading partners a dynamic, evolving industry and global marketplace. future of boundless opportunities. It describes Space Florida’s existing statewide spaceport authority role, and how that role is evolving to include:
FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 9 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SpaceX rocket launch and landing at Cape Canaveral Spaceport
10 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 1
INTRODUCTION
Bumper 8, the first missile to launch from the U.S. Joint Long Range Proving Grounds at Cape Canaveral, begins its July 24, 1950 flight 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 SPACEPORT HISTORY HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT OF FLORIDA SPACEPORTS AND SPACE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY
Space transportation has made enormous strides over the past 65 years. Florida has played a vital role in this industry, serving as the proving grounds for the nation’s missile development programs of the 1950s, to the launch pad for sending Americans into space and the Moon’s surface in the 1960s.
Florida’s spaceport landscape has grown from the makeshift seaside launch site for its first missile launch, Bumper 8, to the extensive built infrastructure that today exists at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) – together known as the Cape Canaveral Spaceport (CCS).
Spaceports worldwide support ever advancing technologies for transporting cargo and people into space. As they continue to evolve, spaceports will be networked for rapid transit providing point-to- point connections across our planet. The business model for space transportation is rapidly maturing with global space commerce.
Spaceport development was once funded solely by In 1969, a Saturn V rolls toward KSC’s Pad 39A. To date, the federal government, driven by national security the tallest and most powerful rocket to operate from any spaceport in the world, with a lift capacity of 140 and exploration goals. Today’s space industry metric tons to low earth orbit increasingly relies on commercially operated launch systems and spaceport infrastructure to meet worldwide demand for space-based products and Florida was the second state, after California, services. to obtain a commercial site license for the While Florida’s spaceports and spaceport system redevelopment of Space Launch Complex (SLC) 46 has its origins in the 1949 establishment of the Joint on CCAFS to support multiple launch vehicles. Long Range Proving Grounds at Cape Canaveral, the transformative era of commercial spaceport development began with the FAA’s granting of a launch site license to Florida Spaceport Authority in 1997.
12 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 1 INTRODUCTION
On January 7, 1998 a Lockheed Athena II commercial spaceport license in 2010 to launched the Lunar Prospector mission in become Florida’s second and the nation’s the nation’s first launch from a commercially eighth commercial spaceport. operated site at SLC-46. A year later, Taiwan’s first experimental satellite was launched from Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation passed SLC-46. in the 2011 Florida Legislature adding Cecil Spaceport to Florida’s designated spaceport Since that time, Space Florida and industry territories, and incorporating it into an evolving partners have enabled approximately $1 billion statewide spaceport system. in non-federal public and private investment to modernize and grow Florida’s spaceport Titusville’s Space Coast Regional Airport and infrastructure. adjacent commerce park property was added to Florida spaceport territory by the Legislature This has included modest but foundational in 2013 and has initiated an application to the investments in the spaceport territory FAA for a launch site operator license. operated by Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) as Cecil Spaceport, granted an FAA
1.2 A STATEWIDE AUTHORITY FOR THE NATION’S FIRST SPACEPORT SYSTEM Florida has a long and impressive history of Space Florida was directed to serve as a spaceport leaning forward to face a dynamic worldwide authority for the purposes of identifying and space transportation industry. It established the planning a spaceport system to accommodate nation’s first state-chartered space transportation current and future commercial, national, and state authority in 1989 – Spaceport Florida Authority. The space transportation demand. Space Florida’s Legislature empowered the new organization with role, as defined in its enabling statute, is to develop broad statutory powers generally modeled to be a spaceport master plan (formally designated by similar to those employed by airports and seaports Space Florida as a statewide systems plan to avoid to facilitate and operate infrastructure. confusion with the individual master plans for the component spaceport territory areas) for expansion Prior to the formal establishment of the Spaceport and modernization of space transportation facilities Florida Authority, a statewide evaluation of potential within: sites for commercial vertical launch capabilities for a Florida Spaceport was performed, and identified • The CCS territory, which incorporates all of the underutilized sites and facilities at Cape Canaveral federal property in Brevard and Volusia counties as the most feasible, even with the challenges making up the KSC and CCAFS of negotiating and implementing the required • Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County operating environment on federally-controlled property and under the rules of a federal launch • Eglin Air Force Base and its Cape San Blas facility range. in several counties of the Florida Panhandle
In 2006, the Legislature created Space Florida to • Cecil Spaceport and associated commerce park consolidate several previously separate space property in Duval County industry development initiatives, and provide • Space Coast Regional Airport and associated focus for a statewide authority responsible for commerce park property in Brevard County planning the modernization and growth of space transportation infrastructure in designated These territories and Florida’s existing spaceport geographic territories. system are described in more detail in Part 2.
FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 13 1 INTRODUCTION
Working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Aviation and Spaceports Office, Space Florida developed the Florida Spaceport System Plan to satisfy its responsibility to develop and maintain a master plan for space transportation facilities within all designated territories, and to coordinate the development of spaceport infrastructure and related transportation facilities as an element of Florida’s Strategic Intermodal Systems (SIS) Plan. Space Florida’s statewide authority role also includes supporting the funding through various mechanisms of spaceport infrastructure projects which it evaluates for eligibility and prioritization consistent with the goals of the system plan and the goals and objectives for the component elements of the Florida Spaceport System. Space Florida’s evolving statewide space authority role, as it seeks to apply operational capabilities to broad system needs, is described in Part 6. Entrance to Space Coast Regional Airport
1.3 EMERGING SPACE TRANSPORTATION TRENDS AFFECTING THE STATEWIDE SYSTEM AND SPACEPORT TYPES Services enabling access to and from high-value The vast majority of today’s space transportation destinations in space are provided by a space industry is in medium to heavy lift launch vehicles transportation industry increasingly commercial in that can place government or commercial satellites operation, and highly diversified in carrier systems into orbit. Smaller rockets and an emerging fleet of to meet the tailored needs of its customers. More reusable suborbital launch vehicles support space forms and variants of launch vehicles in all classes transportation demand for research flights, and exist worldwide today than ever before. New soon for adventure tourism by people wanting to systems are in development continually, pursuing briefly experience spaceflight. With the increasing design improvements to lower the costs of space advances in small satellite technology and their access for targeted markets, and provide increasing shrinking size, these smaller launch systems flying reliability, safety, and operability. Innovations suborbital trajectories may also be able to place in vehicle propulsion, cargo and human carrier small payloads into low earth orbit. systems, reusability, and flight capacity are stimulating increased levels of competition both in All end-user markets for space-based products the United States and internationally. and services depend on availability of reliable and competitively affordable space transportation In general, these transportation systems and the capabilities, which in turn require the availability of markets they serve operate to reach suborbital responsive, efficient spaceport facilities that enable altitudes of about 100 kilometers (62 miles) for brief those providers to compete for and meet customer periods, or must be able to reach orbital velocities needs. Spaceports are becoming more tailored to place people or cargo into earth orbits. The size, to the needs of the customer markets the launch power, and support needs of the launch systems all operators are trying to serve. depend on whether the destination is suborbital or orbital for the customer’s need, how much payload Just as space launch systems compete by size mass is being lifted, and the type of launch system. class and market niches, so do spaceports. Consider airports, for example, where various niches of air traffic are served by facilities ranging
14 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 1 INTRODUCTION
from international airport hubs to small airfields of characteristics of the transportation systems they general aviation (GA), regional and local airports. have capacity and location to support. Ports serving maritime traffic range from deep- water seaports serving ocean-going freighters A few major spaceports, like Florida’s CCS, have to inland waterway barge ports and pleasure the site capacity to support a full range of launch boat marinas. There is a spectrum of spaceport systems and markets, while most will be designed types that are generally defined by the size and and operated to support a limited range of either suborbital or orbital missions.
SpaceX Rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Spaceport SLC-40
FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 15 1 INTRODUCTION
1.4 TODAY’S COMPETITION ON A NATIONAL AND WORLDWIDE LEVEL There has been an expansive proliferation of Deployment and Educational Markets, as well as spaceports worldwide and within the United States the Point-To-Point Transportation Market, which will to respond to the global space transportation trends evolve as the horizontal launch industry continues described above. These launch sites range from to grow. the major world spaceports, to the rapidly growing list of spaceports both nationally and internationally But these Florida spaceports will not realize these that are being established to serve the emerging positions without competition. In the United States markets for suborbital spaceflight. alone, the FAA’s latest inventory of spaceports includes 19 active launch sites. These include the Florida’s CCS has the potential to secure its 10 FAA licensed sites that are operated by state- position as the world’s busiest and most productive established entities and local airport authorities. spaceport throughout the 21st Century. Cecil There are 8 U.S. Government operated launch Spaceport has the potential to secure a share of the sites, some of which are available for commercial world market for suborbital spaceflight, including operations. Proposed new U.S. orbital launch sites the long-anticipated market for human spaceflight are being developed on the southeast coasts of and adventure tourism to the edge of space just Texas and Georgia. Other sites co-located with beyond earth’s atmosphere. Additionally, as a result existing airports are also seeking a FAA license of the airspace architecture, available area for as spaceports. This competitive landscape of expansion and existing and planned infrastructure, domestic spaceports serving a broad range of both the Cecil Spaceport and CCS are well launch service demand is depicted in Figure 1.4a. positioned to accommodate the Small Satellite
Figure 1.4a: U.S. Spaceports Source: Space Florida
16 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 1 INTRODUCTION
Figure 1.4b is a map of major spaceports worldwide. While all these competing spaceports are supported It includes only those with site capacities to support by system elements similar in function to those one or multiple launch systems that can achieve a of the Florida Spaceport System, they are not combined annual lift of 50 metric tons or greater to presently connected to constitute a domestic or low earth orbit. international spaceport system or network. It can be anticipated that such regional or global spaceport Both Russia and China brought new orbital networks will almost certainly arise as efforts to spaceports on line in 2016. Other spaceports advance point-to-point hypersonic and suborbital are seeking to improve throughput or field more flight mature, and space transportation systems powerful launch vehicles to more effectively evolve to multi-spaceport operations for both compete with technology advances and lower costs launch and re-entry. of U.S. providers like SpaceX.
M S Based on metric ton lift capacity, destinations supported
Plesetsk Pacific Spaceport Complex - Alaska
Vostochny Cosmodrome Baikonur Cosmodrome Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center Taiyuan Vandenberg AFB Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport California Spaceport Tanegashima Space Center Cape Canaveral Spaceport Xichang Satellite Launch Center Wenchang Satellite Launch Center Satish Dhawan Space Center Guiana Space Center
Legend Orbital Spaceports with annual lift capacity greater than 400 metric tons Orbital Spaceports with annual lift capacity of up to 200 metric tons or more Orbital Spaceports with annual lift capacity of up to approximately 50-150 metric tons Orbital Spaceports primarily supporting polar orbit missions
Figure 1.4b: Global Spaceports
FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 17 1 INTRODUCTION
1.5 COMPETING STATES SPACEPORTS AND SPACEPORT SYSTEMS While not operationally connected with Florida’s air traffic and space traffic. The planned concept Spaceport System, the spaceports and spaceport of Spaceport Camden includes provisions to systems in neighboring and nearby states share and accommodate vertical launch operations. While influence some of the same critical infrastructure. the potential exists for these to directly impact Most notably the portions of the National Airspace scheduled launches at Cecil Spaceport, airspace System that are affected by space transportation mitigation procedures and protocols are being activities, and the trajectory pathways utilized to developed to eliminate any possible operational achieve orbit, re-entry, or suborbital spaceflight in interference induced by Spaceport Camden. offshore areas (Table 1.5a). The privately operated SpaceX commercial launch Florida’s Spaceport System is most directly site planned at Boca Chica Beach in south Texas impacted by the growth of orbital spaceport has completed the FAA’s environmental impact sites along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and Gulf evaluation. FAA licensing is still in progress to coast states. Georgia’s proposed Spaceport enable the site to become a major orbital spaceport Camden (Figure 1.5a) is located approximately 50 with capacity permitted to support more than 150 miles northeast of Cecil Spaceport and 30 miles metric tons of space-bound cargo annually. northeast of Jacksonville International Airport. An environmental analysis was initiated in 2016 to Ellington Spaceport in Texas was licensed in 2015 support Camden County’s application to the FAA by the FAA and can support suborbital launch for a launch site license, based on a medium class operations in an offshore area of the Gulf of Mexico. launch vehicle that would support a lift capacity of There have been frequent discussion of other more than 150 metric tons annually, putting it in the potential suborbital spaceports along the Gulf class of a major world spaceport. Coast.
Launches occurring from Spaceport Camden would Gulf-area spaceports would have direct influence be capable of a wide range of trajectories similar to on the schedules and operations of each other. those departing from CCS. It would join the Mid- However, elements of the Florida Spaceport System, Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia in sharing existing or future, that will support orbital reentries the need for scheduled use of the Eastern Range, of spacecraft could be influenced by either orbital or adding new complexity to the growing challenge suborbital operations over portions of the Gulf that of managing the coordination and separation of may be in the re-entry flight path.
Figure 1.5a: Conceptual launch site facilities for Spaceport Camden and locational map of the proposed site
18 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 1 INTRODUCTION
Table 1.5a: FAA-Licensed Commercial Spaceports in the United States
SPACEPORT COMMERCIAL SUB- LOCATION OPERATOR SERVICES ORBITAL NAME LICENSE ISSUED ORBITAL
Vandenberg Spaceport Payload processing; Air Force Lompoc, CA Systems commercial launches in 1996 Y N Base International future
Space Florida, Cape Governmental, Cape Canaveral, NASA, United commercial, payload 1997 Y Y Canaveral FL States Air Force processing, scientific Spaceport (USAF)
Mid-Atlantic Virginia Commercial, Regional Wallops Island, Commercial governmental, scientific, 1997 Y Y VA Space Flight Spaceport academic (MARS) Authority
Pacific Alaska Commercial, Kodiak, AK Aerospace 1998 Y Y Launch governmental Complex* Corporation
Mojave Air East Kern Research and testing, Mojave, CA 2004 N Y and Space Airport District commercial Port
Oklahoma Oklahoma Space Industry Burns Flat, OK Commercial 2006 N Y Spaceport Development Authority
New Mexico Spaceport Sierra County, Commercial (vertical Spaceport 2008 N Y NM and horizontal launch) America Authority
Jacksonville Cecil Commercial (horizontal Jacksonville, FL Aviation 2010 Y Y launch) Spaceport Authority
Midland Midland Commercial (horizontal Midland, TX International 2014 N Y International launch), scientific Airport Airport
Ellington Houston Airport Commercial, payload Houston, TX 2015 N Y Airport System processing, scientific
* Formerly Kodiak Launch Complex Source: Space Florida
FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 19 1 INTRODUCTION
1.6 SYSTEM COMPONENTS Each component of the spaceport system has facilities such as processing facilities, range assets, an important role. The major components of a and ground control centers, which can be located spaceport system are spaceports, control centers away from launch/re-entry sites. and airspace, launch vehicles and spacecraft, CONTROL CENTERS AND AIRSPACE payload processing facilities, and intermodal connections. Control centers coordinate the details for space SPACEPORTS flight operations, and are categorized into three groups: range control, launch vehicle control, and The term “spaceport” can have multiple meanings. spacecraft control. A range is the geographical For the purpose of this plan, the definition contained area and surrounding airspace used for launching in Chapter 331, Florida Statutes, is used: “any area rockets, missiles, and vehicles designed to reach of land or water, or any man-made object or facility high altitudes, and it is composed of assets that located therein, which is intended for public use or encompass launch sites, such as runways and for the launching, takeoff, and landing of spacecraft launch pads. Facilities designated as part of a range and aircraft, and includes any appurtenant areas also include tracking and telemetry equipment that which are used or intended for public use, for can be stationed quite far from the launch or re- spaceport buildings, or for other spaceport entry site. One of the primary responsibilities of a facilities, spaceport projects, or rights-of way.”i range is to ensure public safety during all phases of a launch vehicles operations. In a sense, spaceports are gateways to space, providing places for both launch and re-entry. There is a hierarchy of control centers and However, they are not just launch and re-entry associated controllers across the United States’ sites. Typically, they also have a host of associated spaceport facilities. These control centers are
The SpaceX Launch Control Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
20 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 1 INTRODUCTION
the primary means of communication between being expendable launch vehicle (ELVs) or reusable spaceports and the air traffic control system, and launch vehicle (RLVs) launch vehicles. Because of they must manage an enormous amount of data and the great investment required, there is increasing coordination to prevent conflicts. Because of the interest in developing RLVs for both suborbital complexity of data and decision-making, control and orbital missions. RLVs tend to have less of centers are often supported by automated planning, an infrastructure requirement than orbital launch scheduling and coordination systems that provide vehicles. Figure 1.6a illustrates the main orbital course-of-action options and recommendations. launch vehicles and spacecrafts that currently Additionally, data is provided through a variety of operate or are expected to do so at CCS. sensor systems that self-diagnose, self-reconfigure, and self-heal to provide situational awareness Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) is any orbital or across the network. suborbital vehicle designed to be launched into space more than once. This is distinguished from an Control centers also monitor and coordinate the expendable launch vehicle, which is designed to be airspace needed for launches. Coordination and used only once. Suborbital reusable vehicles (SRV) management of airspace is an integral part of a are a subset of RLVs that only address suborbital spaceport system. The airspace used for launch missions using reusable systems. vehicles and spacecraft is part of a range. As space flight becomes more common, national Several SRVs are expected to operate at the former airspace organization and coordination will become Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) runway after Space increasingly complex and will need to expand to Florida completes FAA licensing of the facility for include higher altitudes. The National Airspace commercial space operations. Those vehicles may System (NAS) is already one of the most intricate include the human spaceflight and small satellite in the world, requiring thousands of people to launch capable systems. monitor, manage, and coordinate activity among PAYLOAD PROCESSING FACILITIES more than 19,000 airports. All space flights must be coordinated among the thousands of commercial, Payload processing facilities are essential governmental, and private air flights that occur daily. components of a spaceport system. In terms of a The FAA is currently modernizing the NAS to rely launch vehicle, the payload is defined as the cargo less on ground infrastructure for aircraft navigation to be carried and may include equipment, satellite, and more on satellites to accommodate commercial, people or a combination of these. Prior to flight, general aviation and civil unmanned air systems cargo typically goes through a preparation process (UAS). and is integrated with the launch vehicle. For Although technology changes quickly, in the RLVs, payloads returning from space may require future it is possible that spaceport systems will some degree of processing. All payload processes function in close partnership with the commercial can happen at facilities on-site at spaceports air transportation system. The operations will likely or at separate locations, and vary considerably include the planning, scheduling, coordination, and depending on the type of payload and mission. management of space transportation activities, INTERMODAL CONNECTIONS but also the shared use of spaceport/airport sites worldwide to accommodate multiple flights Intermodal connections refer to surface of different spacecraft to, through, and from transportation, particularly highways, airports, outer space. seaports, and rail lines. This infrastructure enables LAUNCH VEHICLES AND SPACECRAFT the transportation of people and goods to the spaceports and provides an essential link between Because of their specificity and the large amount of spaceports and other key facilities and center of investment required, launch vehicles and spacecraft commerce. can be thought of as mobile infrastructures. The variety of launch vehicles available at a spaceport has a great impact on the types of space flights that can be launched, and as a result, dictates the potential customer base. Launch vehicles come in many forms, but are typically classified as either
FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 21 1 INTRODUCTION
VERTICAL LAUNCH
Vehicle Atlas V Delta IV Falcon 9 Falcon Heavy Delta IV Heavy Minotaur IV Vulcan New Glenn SLS Lift Class Medium Medium Medium Heavy Heavy Small Medium Medium-Heavy Super Heavy Operator ULA ULA SpaceX SpaceX ULA Orbital ATK ULA Blue Origin NASA
Expected 2017-2020
HORIZONTAL LAUNCH
Vehicle Pegasus XL GOLauncher-2 LauncherOne Lift Class Small Small Small Operator Horizontal ATK Generation Orbit Virgin Galactic
Figure 1.6a: Current and Future Orbital Launch Vehicles Source: FAA, Annual Compendium of Commercial Space Transportation, 2016
22 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 1 INTRODUCTION
1.7 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM GOALS AND FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION PLAN GOAL COMPARISON All of Space Florida’s Spaceport System Goals are the capacity and infrastructure to accommodate in line with those set by the FDOT in their Florida anticipated new launch vehicles over the next 10 Transportation Plan (FTP) of December 2015. years, improvements may need to be made to A comparison is shown in Figure 1.7a. existing spaceports to accommodate changes in technologies such as autonomous flight safety and VISION fly-back boosters. Moreover, new and innovative operations and business approaches will drive The vision for Florida’s Spaceport System is changing requirements for Spaceport infrastructure to have Florida Spaceports as the premier and capacity. Florida Spaceports shall be at the transportation hub for global space commerce. forefront of spaceports employ new techniques and While Florida’s existing Spaceport System has support systems to lower their operational cost.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 carries the Eutelsat/ABS satellites on June 15, 2016
FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 23 1 INTRODUCTION
FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION PLAN FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM GOALS PLAN GOALS
Transportation solutions that support Florida’s global Create1 a Stronger Economy where Economic Competitiveness Florida’s spaceports and aerospace Agile, resilient, and quality businesses can thrive Infrastructure
Transportation solutions that Guide2 public and private investment support Quality Places to live, into Emerging and Growing learn, work, and play Aerospace Enterprises and maximize the use of existing aerospace resources
More Transportation Choices for people and freight En3rich our quality of life while providing Transportation solutions that enhance responsible Environmental Florida’s Environment and Stewardship Conserve Energy
Safety and Security for residents, visitors, and businesses Advance4 a Safer and Secure Efficient and Reliable Spaceport transportation system for Mobility for people and freight residents, business, and others
Figure 1.7a: Florida Spaceport System Plan Goals
24 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 2
FLORIDA’S EXISTING SPACEPORT SYSTEM
NASA ASTER image of KSC and CCAFS taken from the Terra Spacecraft in 2006. 2 FLORIDA’S EXISTING SPACEPORT SYSTEM
Space exploration missions have been launching 2.1 INVENTORY OF SYSTEM from Cape Canaveral, Florida for more than six decades, including America’s first launch of CONDITION AND Bumper 8 on July 24, 1950 and the first manned PERFORMANCE mission in 1961. Florida is geographically well situated as a place for space launches. As the FLORIDA SPACEPORTS AND SPACEPORT southernmost part of the continental U.S., launches TERRITORIES can be directed over the ocean thereby minimizing safety risks. In recognition of this fact, Florida has Florida is unique in that it has legislation specifying served the federal government, the Department of areas where spaceport activity can occur. Defense and the commercial sector as one of their Designated as “spaceport territories,” section premier choices for space launch and operations 331.305, Florida Statutes (F.S.), enables Space destinations. Florida to “own, acquire, construct, reconstruct, equip, operate, maintain, extend, or improve transportation facilities appropriate to meet the transportation requirements of Space Florida and activities conducted within spaceport territory.” Currently, the following spaceport territories exist in Florida: i. Certain real property located in Brevard County that is included within the 1998 boundaries of Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, or John F. Kennedy Space Center. The territory consisting of areas within the John F. Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station may be referred to as the “Cape Canaveral Spaceport”. ii. Certain real property located in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Gulf, and Walton Counties which is included within the 1997 boundaries of Eglin Air Force Base. iii. Certain real property located in Duval County which is included within the boundaries of Cecil Airport and Cecil Commerce Center. iv. Real property within the state which is a spaceport licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration, as designated by the board of directors of Space Florida.” v. Certain real property located in Brevard County which is included within the boundaries of Entrance to Cecil Airport Space Coast Regional Airport, Space Coast Regional Airport Industrial Park, and Spaceport Commerce Park.
26 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 2 FLORIDA’S EXISTING SPACEPORT SYSTEM
Figure 2.1a illustrates the current licensed suborbital horizontal launch operations capabilities. spaceports, designated spaceport territories, and In 2015, Revision 1 to the license was issued to other significant system components. account for Cecil Spaceport’s modified Explosive Site Plan which included solid propellants storage Two of these spaceport territories are spaceports and an Oxidizer Loading Area (OLA). with active licenses issued by the FAA: CCS and Cecil Spaceport. CCS includes facilities from both Since receiving Revision 1, the JAA has completed CCAFS and KSC. CCS currently has five active the modifications necessary to add an additional orbital launch sites in Space Launch Complex (SLC)- flight corridor and operating range, which is located 41, SLC-40, SLC-37, SLC-46 and Launch Complex west of Cecil Spaceport and serves as one of the (LC)-39A. There is one orbital LC in the process of first overland flight corridors established in the being activated, LC-39B. There is one additional State of Florida for the purpose of benefiting the LC that is in a state of readiness but not currently Commercial Space Industry. active, LC-39C. SLC-36 is being rehabilitated for an orbital launch facility supporting Blue Origin heavy launch vehicle. A number of additional sites have been identified for orbital launch at the CCS. There is a horizontal launch and re-entry site, the former SLF, which is capable of supporting both spacecraft and aircraft. Space Florida is currently in the process of obtaining an FAA license for the SLF.
Cecil Spaceport completed the FAA licensing process in 2010 and was issued Launch Site Operators License 09-012 to accommodate
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft rendering that will take astronauts to the International Space Station
FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 27 2 FLORIDA’S EXISTING SPACEPORT SYSTEM
Eglin Air Force Base Cecil Spaceport
Cape San Blas ERA N L
Cape Canaveral Spaceport CCS
Map Legend A Patrick AFB E isting System S Space Coast Regional S T Airport C C A R P P F S F F P E A F
Strategic Intermodal System SIS I SIS R R SIS E A SIS S
Space Coast Regional Airport
Figure 2.1a: Florida’s Existing Spaceport System
28 FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 2 FLORIDA’S EXISTING SPACEPORT SYSTEM
ORBITAL SUB-ORBITAL ORBITAL SUBORBITAL VERTICAL VERTICAL HORIZONTAL HORIZONTAL VERTICAL HORIZONTAL UAS* SPACEPORT LAUNCH LAUNCH LAUNCH LAUNCH TEST TEST TEST RE-ENTRY Cape X X X X X X X X Canaveral
Cecil X X X X X
* Unmanned Aerial System
Source: Space Florida
NOTE: Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System includes all facilities at Cape Canaveral Spaceport and Cecil Spaceport, but currently the only FAA/AST Active Launch Site Operator’s Licenses are held by Space Florida for SLC 46 and JAA for Cecil Spaceport.
Figure 2.1b: Florida Spaceport Capabilities
Figure 2.1b shows the current and potential capabilities of Florida’s spaceports: KSC makes up the largest portion of CCS and is currently NASA’s only launch site for CAPE CANAVERAL SPACEPORT human spaceflight.
CCS consists of two properties, KSC and CCAFS (Figure 2.1c). CECIL SPACEPORT
KSC makes up the largest portion of CCS and Cecil Spaceport (Figure 2.1d), which is co-located is currently NASA’s only launch site for human with Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, is owned and spaceflight. Located on Merritt Island, KSC occupies operated by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority a site covering 352 square kilometers (219 square (JAA). Combined with its existing infrastructure, miles); the rest is managed by the Merritt Island the location of the spaceport relative to the coast National Wildlife Refuge and the Canaveral National makes the facility conducive to supporting and Seashore. Since 1962, KSC and CCAFS have served facilitating horizontal launch activities for reusable as the place of departure for every American- launch vehicles (RLVs). manned mission and hundreds of advanced scientific spacecraft. With the cancellation of The existing aeronautical infrastructure includes the NASA Space Shuttle Program in 2011, KSC is four runways served by full parallel taxiways. Runway transitioning to a multi-use spaceport to serve 18L/36R, which serves as the primary runway for government and commercial customers. horizontal launch operations, measures 12,500 feet in length and 200-feet in width and provides a The CCAFS is part of the Air Force Space Category I Instrument Landing System (ILS). Command’s 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. It is the primary In addition to spaceport operations and general launch site of the Eastern Range, which operated aviation activities, Cecil serves as a Maintenance, since 1954 and spans over 15 million square miles Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for Boeing, to the Indian Ocean. CCAFS continues to conduct Flightstar, Pratt and Whitney and the U.S. Navy as launch operations and provides range support for well as the location of the QF-16 program, which military, civil, and commercial launches. CCAFS has includes the conversion of F-16 tactical aircraft a variety of facilities including five active orbital to drones used by the U.S. Air Force for training SLCs and a 3,048-meter (10,000-foot) runway, activities. that can support horizontal launch vehicles such as Pegasus. It also has special vehicle re-entry corridors, operations control center, and processing facilities.
FLORIDA SPACEPORT SYSTEM PLAN 29 2 FLORIDA’S EXISTING SPACEPORT SYSTEM
Legend ennedy Space Center Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Florida Property Agreement Shiloh Launch Comple Launch Facility proposed Payload Processing Facility Water (not all facilities shown)
Atlantic Ocean Mosquito Lagoon
Pra air
402 ennedy Pkwy Notional LC 49 Planned 1 Shuttle Landing LC 39B LC 39C Facility Reusa le Launch LC 39A Vehicle Notional LC 48 Planned angar C3PF OPF 1 2 LC 41 VAB Indian River SLC 40 0 SC Industrial Comple Astrotech SC Visitor Comple LPF O C SLC 3 40 SSPF 9 Space Coast MPPF CCAFS 40 Regional Industrial Airport SLSL P SF Area E ploration Landing Zone 1 Park Satellite Phases 1 2 Processing Skid Strip 1 and Storage SLC 36 Air Li uide Area SLC 46 EPF Area Banana River SLC 18