# Presentation: 801602

## Reusable Launch Vehicles Working GroupPresentation to the COMSTAC

- 18 May 2007
- Michael S. Kelly,
- Chairman

## Agenda

- Commercial Human Space Flight Biomedical Data Collection
- RF Blackout Study
- Analysis of the Safety of Human Space Flight
- HSF Study Required By Congress
- Development of HSF Safety Performance Targets X PRIZE Cup
- Launch Vehicle Failure Mode Database
- Personal Spaceflight Federation Update
**Industry Standard Criteria for Crew and Spaceflight Participant**
- Orbital Commerce Project
- NASTAR
- Barrios Technology
- Actions

## AST Commercial Human Space Flight Biomedical Data Collection

**Work performed by Wyle Laboratories under contract to Aerospace Corp. and Volpe Center**
**Identified in-flight and ground biomedical parameters that will enable ****characterization of medical and biological effects experienced by the human body during spaceflight**
**Identified in-flight and ground biomedical equipment and requirements necessary to ****monitor, measure and record the recommended parameters identified**
**Evaluated options for a biomedical safety database ****compatible with existing NASA data**
**Proposed implementation plan via a collaborative effort between NASA, FAA, and Operators (perhaps represented by the PSF)**
**Developed white paper describing value proposition for each stakeholder.**

## Radio Frequency Blackout During RLV Reentry

***Radio Frequency Blackout During RLV Reentry***

_**RF Blackout**_**:  Caused by high electron concentration in plasma sheath surrounding reentering RLVs (10****8**** to 10****13 ****electrons/cm****3****), which absorbs or attenuates electromagnetic transmitted waves**
**Vehicle bow shock compresses and heats the air, resulting in dissociation and ionization of the air.  This ionized layer is the reentry plasma sheath, inhibiting communications**
_**A Safety Issue**_**:  Future RLVs could remain in attenuated or blackout mode for extended periods, during critical phases of flight**
** ****Communications for telemetry and control degraded**
** ****Navigation and tracking inhibited**
_**Findings from Study – Blackout Mitigation Approaches**_**:**
** **_**Passive Methods – Lower cost, less complexity**_**:**
**  ****Transmit at higher frequencies (********  > ********P )**
**  ****Aerodynamic Shaping:  Sharp leading edge or pointed cone ahead of shock wave**
** **_**Active Approaches – Added weight, complexity and cost**_**:****	**
**  ****Injection of chemical quenchants**
**  ****Droplets that cool the plasma**
**  ****Application of magnetic fields**

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***Radio Frequency Blackout During RLV Reentry***

## Development of Human Space Flight Safety Performance Targets

- FAA plans to work with COMSTAC to develop appropriate human space flight safety performance targets for launches and reentries carrying crew or space flight participants
- FAA’s current performance target pertains to safety of the uninvolved public.
- FAA will brief COMSTAC’s RLV Working Group on May 17, 2007 about this initiative.

## Launch Vehicle Failure Mode Database

_**Historical Database on ELVs**_** was created using open-source documentation on **_**known **_**failures from 1957 to May 2007**
**Propulsion anomalies have been and continue to cause most known failures in ELV launches **
**Guidance and navigation have been second leading cause of failure, but have dropped over time **
***Software and computing systems are a growing concern  - *****21% of failures since 1999**
**Historical database on failures of ****rocket-powered aircraft currently being scoped**

## PSF Update

- Overview of history, purpose of organization
- Passage of legislation by Virginia enforcing liability waivers

## Training Problems / Solution

- Ill defined
- No standards
- Does not fit other models
- Wrong group tasked

- Industry group
- Take best practices from other industries
- Set guidelines and suggest standards
- Interface with FAA

## Standard Course Offerings – Participants
1-day – G Tolerance Prequalification
2-day – Sub-orbital Launch Training
3-day – Sub-orbital Launch Training with 	Additional Air- or Spaceflight Experience
1-day – G Refresher / Requalification

- 1-day – G Tolerance Prequalification
- 2-day – Sub-orbital Launch Training
- 3-day – Sub-orbital Launch Training with 	Additional Air- or Spaceflight Experience
- 1-day – G Refresher / Requalification

- The National Aerospace Training and Research Center seeks FAA AST Safety Approval for its space course offerings

- Standard Course Offerings – Pilots
- G Tolerance
- Spatial Disorientation
- Upset Recovery
- Altitude Physiology
- Ejection Seat Egress Procedures

**STS-400**
**Space Training Simulator**

**Cockpit of Simulator**

## Recommendations from Barrios Technology - Summary

- Passenger Training:
- Vehicle Familiarization
- Safety
- Emergency Procedures
- Physiological Effects
- What to do and experience during the flight

- Crew and Ground Support Personnel Training:
- Fundamental Operation of vehicle hardware and software
- Nominal operations training
- Select number of emergency procedures that safe the vehicle and the crew
- Cockpit Resource Management (CRM)

- Whether government required or industry generated, the extreme conditions and high risk environment of commercial space flight demands standard training with certifiable outcomes for passengers, crew, and ground support personnel.

## Actions

- RLVWG to submit suggestions for biomedical data collection to AST in four weeks
- RLVWG to submit stakeholder suggestions for structure of Human Spaceflight Safety Study to AST in two weeks
- Start process of defining Safety Targets, with goal of making recommendations by next COMSTAC
- Consider formation of a Training Standards Subcomittee