Paper Session II-B - Integrated Factory/Launch Site Processing Concept

Achieving low cost, reliable space transportation is one of the most important space policy challenges facing the United States today. Since launch and mission operations are responsible for up to 45 % of the costs of each launch, lowering these costs is critical to reducing overall costs associated with space flight. To reduce these costs significantly, an innovative alternative approach to vehicle element processing was developed. This concept was born from the fact that present day launch processing system (LPS) is undergoing a major upgrade to implement today\u27s technology. Carrying this one step further, the same upgrade could be implemented at various vehicle element manufacturing sites. This would allow expendable vehicle standalone processing to be accomplished offsite without compromising the integrity of the vehicle thus eliminating horizontal checkout at the launch site. This paper will address vehicle test requirements, timelines and ground checkout concepts to implement this approach

Paper Session III-A - Next Generation Reusable Launch Systems Site Selection Trade Study: An Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process

This paper focuses on site selection trade studies associated with Next Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle concepts. During site selection trade studies the need to utilize a decision making tool enabling tradeoffs between competing objectives while minimizing intuitive bias was recognized. In order to meet established goals of the next generation reusable launch vehicle concepts, a comprehensive site selection trade study must be performed. Estimates for both non-recurring and recurring costs associated with each candidate site must be evaluated. The systems’ operations concept, environmental constraints, logistics, range support, and weather are other important factors which must also be considered. Based on this, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was implemented, allowing for systematic evaluation and measurement of each of the identified criteria in the site selection process. AHP is a multi-criterion decision support methodology allowing study participants (engineers and program management) to deal consistently with comparisons between both tangible and intangible criteria. Using this tool, participants in the site selection process can integrate their collective judgment, experience and understanding concerning the relevant importance of identified criteria as they relate to one another. The resulting process is organized in a logical hierarchical structure which can be easily tested for sensitivities to changes in assumptions and judgments

Paper Session I-A - Space Shuttle to Reusable Launch Vehicle

The National Space Transportation Policy establishes national policy, guidelines, and implementing actions for the conduct of National space transportation programs that will sustain and revitalize U.S. space transportation capabilities... . The direction to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is to provide for the improvement of the Space Shuttle system focusing on reliability, safety, and cost effectiveness. as well as be the lead agency for technology development and demonstration for next generation reusable space transportation systems, such as the single-stage-to-orbit concept. With this vision, NASA has initiated Cooperative Agreement Notices between NASA and the private sector for X-33 (Reusable Launch Vehicle-Advanced Technology Demonstrator) and X-34 (Reusable Launch Vehicle-Small Reusable Booster) which would provide insight to a decision by December 1996 to proceed with sub-scale flight demonstration to prove the single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) concept. This paper deals with operational issues which must be dealt with in order to achieve SSTO goals of reliable low cost space transportation and order of magnitude reductions in operating costs