Purdue University Purdue e-Pubs College of Technology Masters Theses College of Technology Theses and Projects 4-27-2010 Industry Perspectives On Reusable Launch Vehicle Technicians Brent A. Vlasman Purdue University - Main Campus, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/techmasters Vlasman, Brent A., "Industry Perspectives On Reusable Launch Vehicle Technicians" (2010). College of Technology Masters Theses. Paper 7. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/techmasters/7 This document has been made available through Purdue e-Pubs, a service of the Purdue University Libraries. Please contact [email protected] for additional information. Graduate School ETD Form 9 (Revised 12/07) PURDUE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL Thesis/Dissertation Acceptance This is to certify that the thesis/dissertation prepared Brent A. Vlasman By Entitled Industry Perspectives on Reusable Launch Vehicle Technicians For the degree of Master of Science Is approved by the final examining committee: David Stanley Chair Denver Lopp Timothy Ropp To the best of my knowledge and as understood by the student in the Research Integrity and Copyright Disclaimer (Graduate School Form 20), this thesis/dissertation adheres to the provisions of Purdue University’s “Policy on Integrity in Research” and the use of copyrighted material. David Stanley Approved by Major Professor(s): ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Approved by: Gary Bertoline 4/19/2010 Head of the Graduate Program Date Graduate School Form 20 (Revised 1/10) PURDUE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL Research Integrity and Copyright Disclaimer Title of Thesis/Dissertation: Industry Perspectives on Reusable Launch Vehicle Technicians For the degree of _______Master of______________ Science ___________________________________________ I certify that in the preparation of this thesis, I have observed the provisions of Purdue University Teaching, Research, and Outreach Policy on Research Misconduct (VIII.3.1), October 1, 2008.* Further, I certify that this work is free of plagiarism and all materials appearing in this thesis/dissertation have been properly quoted and attributed. I certify that all copyrighted material incorporated into this thesis/dissertation is in compliance with the United States’ copyright law and that I have received written permission from the copyright owners for my use of their work, which is beyond the scope of the law. I agree to indemnify and save harmless Purdue University from any and all claims that may be asserted or that may arise from any copyright violation. Brent A. Vlasman ______________________________________ Printed Name and Signature of Candidate 4/19/2010 ______________________________________ Date (month/day/year) *Located at http://www.purdue.edu/policies/pages/teach_res_outreach/viii_3_1.html INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVES ON REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE TECHNICIANS A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Purdue University by Brent A. Vlasman In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science May 2010 Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana ii To Savannah. You are the reason I did this. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................. v LIST OF FIGURES ...............................................................................................vi ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1 1.1. Objectives ................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Background ................................................................................................ 1 1.3. Scope ......................................................................................................... 2 1.4. Significance ................................................................................................ 2 1.5. Definitions ................................................................................................... 4 1.6. Assumptions ............................................................................................... 5 1.7. Delimitations ............................................................................................... 6 1.8. Limitations .................................................................................................. 7 1.9. Summary .................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................................ 8 2.1. Commercial Space Industry ........................................................................ 8 2.2. Launch Vehicle Types ................................................................................ 9 2.3. RLV Maintenance ..................................................................................... 11 2.4. Government Perspective of Commercial Space ....................................... 12 2.5. Operations and Maintenance Guide 1.0 ................................................... 14 2.6. Suborbital Industry Snapshot .................................................................... 16 2.7. Summary .................................................................................................. 19 CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................... 20 3.1. Study Purpose .......................................................................................... 20 3.2. Exploratory, Qualitative Research ............................................................ 20 3.3. Theoretical Framework ............................................................................. 21 3.4. Sampling................................................................................................... 23 3.5. Data Collection ......................................................................................... 26 3.6. Data Analysis ............................................................................................ 31 3.7. Researcher Bias ....................................................................................... 37 3.8. Researcher Credibility .............................................................................. 38 3.9. Summary .................................................................................................. 39 CHAPTER 4. DATA ANALYSES AND FINDINGS ............................................. 40 4.1. Sample Attrition ........................................................................................ 40 4.2. Data Analysis and Reduction .................................................................... 41 4.2.1. Category Creation .............................................................................. 42 iv Page 4.2.2. Cross-case Analysis ........................................................................... 43 4.2.3. Deviant Cases .................................................................................... 44 4.3. Findings .................................................................................................... 45 4.3.1. Assertions ........................................................................................... 46 4.4. Summary .................................................................................................. 51 CHAPTER 5. CONCLUSIONS, DISCUSSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ... 52 5.1. Conclusions .............................................................................................. 52 5.2. Discussion ................................................................................................ 53 5.3. Recommendations .................................................................................... 56 5.4. Summary .................................................................................................. 58 LIST OF REFERENCES .................................................................................... 59 APPENDICES Appendix A. Interview Transcripts ................................................................... 62 Appendix B. Coded Interview Transcripts ...................................................... 127 Appendix C. Project Brief .............................................................................. 198 Appendix D. Code Frequencies ..................................................................... 201 Appendix E. Subject Area Code Frequencies................................................ 209 Appendix F. Strength of Data Continuums .................................................... 215 v LIST OF TABLES Appendix Table Page Table D.1. Codes and Frequencies from Interview 1 ........................................ 201 Table D.2. Codes and Frequencies from Interview 2 ........................................ 203 Table D.3. Codes and Frequencies from Interview 3 ........................................ 204 Table D.4. Codes and Frequencies from Interview 4 ........................................ 205 Table D.5. Codes and Frequencies from Interview 5 ........................................ 207 Table E.1. Color Key ......................................................................................... 209 Table E.2. Rocket Propulsion Codes and Frequencies .................................... 210 Table E.3. Aviation