National Aeronautics and Space Administration Kennedy Space Center Overview fter five decades, NASA’s John F. to the space shuttle and International process of being refurbished to support AKennedy Space Center continues Space Station, from the Hubble Space commercial users and NASA’s Space to lead America’s adventure into space. Telescope to the Mars exploration rovers, Launch System heavy-lift rocket, which Kennedy shares a boundary with the Kennedy enjoys a rich heritage in its vital will carry the Orion spacecraft and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge role as NASA’s processing and launch astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit and on Florida’s east coast, where nature center. farther into outer space. and technology co-exist. The refuge Kennedy Space Center is transform- NASA’s new Commercial Crew includes about 140,000 acres on land ing to a multiuser spaceport to support Program, which is based at Kennedy, is and water and provides a wide variety both government and commercial working with commercial partners to of habitats, including coastal dunes, salt- customers. The center is looking create new spacecraft to enable access toward the future. Various commercial water estuaries and marshes, freshwater to low-Earth orbit and the International impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, companies have expressed interest in Space Station from U.S. soil. and hardwood hammocks that provide leasing NASA’s vacant facilities for future facts NASA’s Launch Services Program habitat for more than 1,500 species of work. Several key agreements have (LSP) managed at Kennedy Space plants and animals. been signed. A dynamic infrastructure Center will continue to procure Expend- Kennedy Space Center offers 6,000 is taking shape, designed to host many able Launch Vehicles to enable satellites acres of land for facilities and roads, and kinds of spacecraft and rockets sending has 7.8 million square feet of building people on America’s next adventures and robotic missions on their journey to area, and 564 miles of roads, includ- in space – to an asteroid, to Mars and learn more about our home planet and ing 184 miles of paved and 380 miles other destinations in the solar system. unlock the secrets of the universe. of unpaved roads. The combined space- NASA’s Ground Systems Develop- Kennedy will continue to support port of Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air ment and Operations Program will International Space Station operations Force Station (CCAFS) has served as provide 21st century ground systems as the orbiting laboratory enters its the departure gate for every American for processing and launch. The Orion second decade of discoveries. Kennedy human space mission and for hundreds Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle will be as- workers are preparing various experi- of rocket launches carrying advanced sembled, tested and ultimately launched ments for launch aboard different launch research and interplanetary spacecraft. aboard the new heavy lift vehicle from vehicles that will deliver them to the From the early days of Project Mercury Kennedy. Launch Pad 39B is in the space station. NASA Launch Services Program: Commercial Crew Program Earth’s Bridge to Space ennedy is spearheading the way to he Launch Services Program (LSP) exists to meet Kreturn NASA astronauts to low-Earth Tthe needs of a diverse customer base that includes orbit in safe, reliable and affordable space NASA’s space and Earth science, exploration, technol- transportation systems through NASA’s ogy and education requirements, as well as support to Commercial Crew Program (CCP). the national security community, the National Oceanic The 2010 NASA Authorization Act and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and interna- established commercial providers as the tional cooperative partners. LSP was established at primary means for future crew transporta- Kennedy Space Center for NASA’s acquisition and pro- tion to the International Space Station. The gram management of expendable launch vehicle (ELV) objective of CCP is to invest in and work missions. LSP works in the commercial arena to provide closely with industry providers to produce cost-effective, safe and reliable services. The main a certified end-to-end crew transportation responsibilities of LSP are oversight of launch opera- system capable of flying to and from the tions, countdown management, and providing additional space station. quality and mission assurance for each ELV launch. Through multiple competitive develop- Since 1990, NASA has purchased ELV launch ment phases, NASA and its government services directly from commercial providers, whenever and commercial partners are laying the possible, for its scientific and applications missions. All foundation for future commercial transpor- Dream Chaser/Atlas V ELVs use the same basic technology to get into space tation capabilities, upon which commercial – two or more rocket-powered stages, which fall away space companies can market transporta- when their engine burns are complete. tion services to the U.S. government and other customers. To accelerate the program’s efforts and reduce the gap in American human spaceflight capabilities, NASA awarded more than $1.4 billion in Space Act Agreements under two Commercial Crew Development rounds and the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability initiative. The pay-for-performance agreements enable companies to test and mature their space systems in a methodical, disciplined fashion drawing upon NASA’s 50 years of human spaceflight experience. The three integrated space systems include two capsules, a space plane, and two different Dragon/Falcon 9 rockets, maximizing the diversity at this early stage in development. NASA also selected three companies to conduct certification activities under contracts valued around $30 million total, which is the first step to certify commercial spacecraft for NASA astronauts bound to and from the International Space Station. Advances made by these companies during the first contract phase, known as the Certification Products Contract, will begin the process of ensuring integrated crew transportation systems will meet agency safety requirements. Efforts also will enable the earliest transportation to the space station,targeted for 2017. The second phase of certification efforts will certify an end-to-end space system with a crewed demonstration flight to the station. CST-100/Atlas V Kennedy Space Center Overview 2 NASA Facts Ground Systems Development Crew Vehicle (MPCV). But the transformation advancements and innovations that have been and Operations Program also includes provisions to allow commercial incorporated into the spacecraft’s subsystem users to take advantage of unique Kennedy and component design. It includes both crew capabilities, including the Shuttle Landing Facility, and service modules, a spacecraft adapter and a he Ground Systems Development and Opera- Orbiter Processing Facilities, the Vehicle As- launch abort system. Orion will serve as the pri- tions (GSDO) Program was implemented at T sembly Building, and Launch Complex 39. The mary crew vehicle for missions beyond low Earth Kennedy to modernize its facilities for multiple program promotes the repurposing of Kennedy orbit, and will be capable of conducting regular commercial and government customers. The capabilities for future users who will process and in-space operations including, rendezvous, dock- goal of the GSDO Program is to transform the launch from the center and CCAFS. ing and extravehicular activities. Florida launch and range complex by implement- The SLS Program will develop the heavy lift ing a focused set of investments to its infrastruc- rocket that will launch the Orion spacecraft, other ture, creating a multiuse spaceport of choice for modules, and cargo. The SLS will have an initial NASA and other users. The program aligns with lift capability of 70 to100 metric tons, evolvable the needs of civil, national security, and com- to 130 metric tons to lift Orion, and be a backup mercial enterprises, ultimately extending to the system for space station cargo and crew delivery. international space community. The Orion test article already is here at Kennedy According to the NASA Authorization Act in the Operations & Checkout Building high bay of 2010, the program will focus primarily on where manufacturing processes and efficiencies launching the Space Launch System (SLS) and are being developed for the spacecraft. its human spacecraft, the Orion Multi-Purpose Orion features dozens of technology Center Planning and Development Directorate he Center Planning and Development Directorate (CPDD) provides strategic leadership Tand management integration of center planning activities and partnership development initiatives to enable Kennedy as a multiuser spaceport supporting both government and commercial launch providers and their customers. Serving as Kennedy’s “front door” to industry and other government organizations, the CPDD develops strategic and business partnerships that advance NASA’s and Kennedy’s goals. CPDD also is responsible for center land use planning and execution, development of spaceport infrastructure and business strategies, and the preparation and coordination of a Kennedy Space Center Master Plan with NASA organizations and external stakeholders. Kennedy Space Center Overview 3 NASA Facts Economic Impact ASA’s Kennedy Space Center remains a very significant economic driver in Brevard County and a major contributor to the economic health of the state Nof Florida. Analysis of the Fiscal Year 2012 expenditures