Jan. 27 2014 Vol. 54, No. 2 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe Sierra Nevada Corp. to process, launch, land at Kennedy By Steven Siceloff Space Coast for the future, and Spaceport News applaud Sierra Nevada Corpo- ration on their decision to carry n the latest example of NASA out their ground-breaking work Kennedy Space Center’s I at Kennedy.” transformation into a multi- SNC said it plans to work user spaceport, Sierra Nevada with ULA to launch the com- Corporation (SNC) of Louis- pany’s winged Dream Chaser ville, Colo., announced Jan. 23 spacecraft into orbit from Space steps it will take to prepare for Launch Complex 41 at Cape a November 2016 orbital flight Canaveral Air Force Station. of its Dream Chaser spacecraft “SNC is thrilled to confirm from Florida’s Space Coast. a launch date for our country’s The announcement included the purchase of an Atlas V return to orbital human space- rocket from United Launch flight and the restart of human Alliance (ULA) for the launch, spaceflight operations from sharing the Operations and Florida’s Space Coast,” said Checkout (O&C) development Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice and testing facility with Lock- president and head of SNC’s heed Martin Space Systems, Space Systems. “We could establishing an operation center not have done this without the at Kennedy and using the spirit and engagement from our center’s former Shuttle Land- national and state governments, ing Facility (SLF). The steps the best aerospace companies in are considered substantial for the industry, and several major SNC and important to plans by universities, which all hail NASA and Space Florida for from over 30 states. Together Kennedy’s new availability to these passionate people will both commercial and govern- return our astronauts to space ment customers. on American spacecraft and “Today’s announcement rockets launched from Ameri- is the latest major milestone ca’s Space Coast right here in in the transformation of the Florida.” NASA/Tony Gray-Sandy Joseph Kennedy Space Center into a The Dream Chaser spacecraft 21st century launch complex, is designed to carry crew and TDRS-L lights up the night serving both private sector and critical cargo to destinations, government users,” said NASA as well as perform servicing on its way to orbit of Earth Administrator Charles Bolden. and science in low-Earth orbit. “I salute Kennedy Space Center SNC said it intends to complete The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, or TDRS-L, Director Bob Cabana for his To , Page 2 to Earth orbit. Liftoff was at 9:33 p.m. EST. Story, Page 3. leadership in transitioning the SNC Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS Jan. 27, 2014 NASA/Kim Shiflett Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announces the steps the company will take to prepare for a November 2016 orbital flight of its Dream Chaser spacecraft from Florida’s Space Coast during a news conference at Kennedy Space Center on Jan. 23. Participants are, from left, Michael Curie, NASA spokesman; Bob Cabana, director of Kennedy; Michael Gass, president and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA); Frank DiBello, president and CEO of Space Florida; Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice president and head of SNC Space Systems; Larry Price, Lockheed Martin Space Systems deputy program manager for NASA’s Orion spacecraft; and Steve Lindsey, Dream Chaser program manager for SNC Space Systems. From SNC, Page 1 ration vehicle. will find in our workforce and tion missions, ULA is able to “The O&C is a state-of-the- facilities the same dynamic and provide a wealth of flight data, Dream Chaser missions with a art facility that will greatly professional people who have design implementation, detailed landing on the 3.5-mile runway enhance Dream Chaser’s future made successful missions from system and subsystem analysis, at the SLF. Space Florida, operations through an innova- here for more than 50 years.” qualification and certification which will operate the SLF in tive co-use plan with Orion,” Cabana said SNC’s involve- documentation to support the the future, will negotiate the said James H. Crocker, vice ment with the Florida spaceport Atlas V for human spaceflight.” terms and conditions for the president and general manager, shows the conversion to a 21st The Dream Chaser space- runway’s use with SNC. Civil Space, Lockheed Martin century spaceport is succeed- craft is deep into development “We are pleased to see Space Systems, “The result will ing, although work remains of flight hardware and specific continued growth of the state’s maximize efficiency for both to keep the transformation on plans ranging from ground the Dream Chaser spacecraft pace. investment into KSC facilities support equipment to what to and Orion and will provide “We are honored that like the O&C,” said Space Flor- include in a mission operations continuity for our highly Sierra Nevada Corporation ida President Frank DiBello. “It center. is clear that the future of com- trained, motivated and certified has reserved a proven Atlas “I had the privilege of mercial space growth is hap- workforce.” V to launch its first flight piloting and commanding five pening right now in Florida and SNC also plans to lease of- test in 2016,” said Michael space shuttle flights as a NASA we couldn’t be happier to work fice space at Exploration Park, Gass, United Launch Alliance astronaut,” said Steve Lind- with companies like Sierra located just outside Kennedy’s president and CEO. “With 42 sey, former NASA astronaut Nevada to realize their Florida- gates. successful missions spanning a based expansion goals.” “We have been diligent in decade of operational service, and SNC’s senior director and The company said it plans our efforts, and I consider this a the commercially developed Dream Chaser program manag- to prepare the Dream Chaser strong vote of confidence from Atlas V is uniquely qualified er. “This included the last flight spacecraft in the high bay of the a company that expects to be to provide launch services for of Discovery which was pro- O&C building at Kennedy, with a major force in the future of the Crew Transportation Sys- cessed, launched, and on March Lockheed Martin performing human spaceflight,” said Bob tem. Because Atlas is already 9, 2011, made its final landing the work. The facility also is Cabana, Kennedy center direc- certified by NASA to fly the at the SLF after 39 flights and used for the development, as- tor. “Sierra Nevada Corporation nation’s most complex explora- 148 million space miles. Mark, sembly and testing of NASA’s the entire SNC Dream Chaser deep-space Orion spacecraft. More online team, and I look forward to see- Dream Chaser testing will take For more information about Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser, visit: ing Dream Chaser continue this http://www.SNCDreamChaser.com place without disrupting Orion, For more information about Kennedy, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/Kennedy legacy from Discovery when it NASA’s flagship human explo- flies in 2016.” Jan. 27, 2014 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 TDRS-L safely in geosynchronous orbit By Steven Siceloff the space shuttle era with the launch of Spaceport News More online TDRS-1 in 1983. Of the 11 TDRS space- For more information about TDRS, visit: craft placed in service to date, eight still ASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Sat- http://tdrs.gsfc.nasa.gov are operational. Four of the eight have ellite-L (TDRS-L), the 12th space- To learn more about the many ways to connect N and collaborate with NASA, visit: exceeded their design life. craft in the agency’s TDRS Project, is http://www.nasa.gov/connect Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems safely in orbit after launching at 9:33 p.m. completed the TDRS-L integration and EST on Jan. 23 aboard a United Launch deep-space spacecraft, the Orion crew testing at its satellite factory in El Se- Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canav- module, in September. This test will see eral Air Force Station in Florida. gundo in November and launch process- Orion travel farther into space than any Ground controllers report the satellite ing began after the spacecraft arrived in -- part of a network providing high-data- human spacecraft has gone in more than Florida on Dec. 6. rate communications to the International 40 years.” TDRS-M, the next spacecraft in this Space Station, Hubble Space Telescope, The mission of the TDRS Project, series, is on track to be ready for launch launch vehicles and a host of other space- established in 1973, is to provide follow- in late 2015. craft -- is in good health at the start of a on and replacement spacecraft to support NASA’s Space Communications and three-month checkout by its manufacturer, NASA’s space communications network. Navigation Program, part of the Human Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems This network provides high-data-rate Exploration and Operations Mission Di- of El Segundo, Calif. NASA will conduct communications. The TDRS-L spacecraft rectorate (HEOMD) at the agency’s Head- additional tests before putting TDRS-L is identical to the TDRS-K spacecraft quarters in Washington, is responsible into service. launched in 2013. for the space network. The TDRS Project “TDRS-L and the entire TDRS fleet “This launch ensures continuity of Office at Goddard manages the TDRS de- provide a vital service to America’s space services for the many missions that rely velopment program. Launch management program by supporting missions that on the system every day,” said Jeffrey of the launch service for TDRS-L is the range from Earth-observation to deep- Gramling, TDRS project manager at responsibility of HEOMD’s Launch Ser- space discoveries,” said NASA Admin- NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, vices Program based at Kennedy.