# Presentation: 750080

## Spaceport Architectures

- 	_Discussion_
- What is a Spaceport?
- Spaceport Functional Performance—How Are We Doing?
- A Structured, Generic Model to Envision Spaceport Enterprises
- A Vision of Space Launch Operations..._for ALL of US_

_**Caution**_:  *To Achieve the Vision, There WILL Be Catastrophes Along the Way—So, We Need Need to Re-Establish our Proving Grounds*

## What is a Spaceport?

## Slide 3

## Slide 4

**Notes:**
While There Has Not been an Official Tracking of Spaceport Throughput...

...I have been monitoring this trend and pulling data from several official sources to see how the various spaceports have stacked up against the Throughput measure so widely used to analyze the other transportation modes

## Slide 5

**Notes:**
Here is the same trend, which you can see is dominated by the collapse of the Soviet-Built Spaceport Infrastructure

But The Real Issue is if mankind is to “open-up” space for the rest of us, in what way can flight and ground systems (that is rockets and spaceports) be re-invented such that the this trend is put on a healthy growth curve?

## How Can We Help Enable

**Payload Mass Delivery to Space**

*US Domestic & Foreign*

**Cape Canaveral Spaceport**

**Foreign-Based Ports**

- 0

- 100

- 200

- 300

- 400

- 500

- 600

- 700

- 1980

- 1981

- 1982

- 1983

- 1984

- 1985

- 1986

- 1987

- 1988

- 1989

- 1990

- 1991

- 1992

- 1993

- 1994

- 1995

- 1996

- 1997

- 1998

**Metric Tons**

**Calendar Year**

***All Other US***

- Near-term
- Growth

- Mid-term
- Growth

- Far-term
- Growth

- 2005

- 2010

- 2015

**How Can We Help Enable**
**New Space Market Growth?**
- Re-Inventing Flight Systems/Spaceports
- Higher Throughput Capability/Capacity
- Higher Throughput Capability via Higher Flight Rate Capability
- Near-Term: Innovative Applications for Excess Launch Capacity
- Minimum of Infrastructure & Operations to Produce a Flight

**Notes:**
I think you will see that as we better define what a spaceport is—functionally and generically—we can envision radical changes in the concept of operations, the systems designs, the interactions of flight systems with ground systems and personnel, new business opportunities, and even new ground-based market opportunities

More directly, to improve the total volume of things going to and from space, we must pay particular attention to those techniques, business motivations, technologies and policies that will enable radical improvements in flight rate capability

To address the near-term market situation, we need to examine innovation missions/markets that can utilize our worldwide excess capacity and put it to use to creating new market opportunities and not simply compete against the current market players. 

## A Structured Model of

**A Structured Model of**
**Generic Spaceport Functions**

**Notes:**
Shown is a theoretical model of a Generic Spaceport
This model was created by a team of experienced NASA and Industry Launch Operations technologists
In 1995/96 a group of advanced launch system experts, coming off of the X-33 Concept Phase, was challenged during a Highly Reusable Space Transportation Study to come up with a generic analytical model of a spaceport.
Many different launch concepts (from traditional rocket concepts, to advanced air-breathing propulsion designs, to MagLev to Microwave beamed launch assist!) were to be analyzed against this model
Without any funding, the volunteer group nonetheless agreed to define an outline of such a model, even though no funding was available at the time to implement the model in a software analytical tool. The desire was to predict operations costs, and expected throughput performance of the various concepts in order to better understand the cost-per-pound reduction potential of various vehicle design approaches and technology development
The model breaks apart the ground infrastructure & operations into 12 distinct top-level functional areas.  Essentially the “operator” functions are shown predominantly in the cyclical set of functions, while the host, or “spaceport infrastructure” functions are shown supporting below. 

## Relationship of Generic Functions to Spaceport Enterprises

- _Vehicle Operator (“airline”)_
**Landing/Recovery**
**Turnaround**
**Element Receipt & Acceptance**
**Assembly/Integration**
**Launch**
**Concept-Unique Logistics**
**Depot Maintenance**

**Example Enterprise Grouping of Generic Functions...**

- _Ground Host/Suppliers (“airport”) _
**Offline Payload Services (Cargo/Passenger)**
- Civil/Military
- Commercial
**Traffic/Flight Control **
**Operations Planning & Management**
**Spaceport Support Infrastructure **
**Connecting Infrastructure & Community Support Services**

**Community Infrastructure**

**Traffic & Flight Control**

*(Including “Range” functions)*

**System Operations Planning & Management**

**Spaceport Support Infrastructure**

**Cargo**

***Landing/***

***Recovery***

***Assembly &***

***Integration***

***Launch***

***Turnaround***

***Depot Maintenance***

***Element Receipt & ***

***Acceptance***

***Concept***

***-***

***Unique***

***Logistics***

**Community Infrastructure**

**Traffic & Flight Control**

*(Including “Range” functions)*

**System Operations Planning & Management**

**Spaceport Support Infrastructure**

- A Conceptual Model
- of Generic Spaceport Functions

**Offline Payload**
**Processing**

**Notes:**
Now, the theme of this ASTWG is What is a Spaceport Enterprise?
Interestingly enough, when one examines the generic model that was created, there is no mention of WHO performs the functions or sub-function (there is a “catalog list of possible sub-functions that go with each of the 12 top-level functions) Indeed, being composed of both government and industry personnel, we specifically avoided the non-productive discussions of who was envisioned to do what, since we were creating a”generic” functional model.
However, when one compares these functions to the operation of a., say, and airport, while there are still some gray areas, it is clear that an “operator” or set of “operators” and a host should emerge.
It is also becoming clearer that if a business entity is to operate at the spaceport—his business incentive must be to “sell the ride”—However, believe it or not, no such business performing these functions exists! Almost all industrial organization performing these functions have as their prime motivation to sell flight system hardware. Performing these functions is secondary—at best—to their primary profit motive or customer service motive. The closest domestic exception to this is U.S.A. But even here, the business motive is not to “sell the ride.”  

## A Closer Examination of theGeneric Spaceport Model

- Will look at a few examples of the twelve functions in more detail to reveal the technical challenges, management complexities and business opportunities
**Payload Functions**
- Turnaround Functions
- Traffic & Flight Control Functions

**Community Infrastructure**

**Traffic & Flight Control**

*(Including “Range” functions)*

**System Operations Planning & Management**

**Spaceport Support Infrastructure**

**Payload/**

**Cargo**

***Landing/***

***Recovery***

***Assembly &***

***Integration***

***Launch***

***Turnaround***

***Depot Maintenance***

***Element Receipt & ***

***Acceptance***

***Concept***

***-***

***Unique***

***Logistics***

**Community Infrastructure**

**Traffic & Flight Control**

*(Including “Range” functions)*

**System Operations Planning & Management**

**Spaceport Support Infrastructure**

**Offline Payload**
**Processing**

## CRUCIAL

*Generic Spaceport Functional Description*

**Offline Payload Processing **

**Typical Service Options for Customer:**
- Sealed Delivery/Deployment only
- Scientific Experiments Support
- Late Access Services (Perishables/Life Sciences)
- Govt High Security
- Payload Commodity Servicing
- Personnel Life Support
- Test & Checkout
- Assembly & Packaging

**Payload Varieties & Flight Design Choices****:**
- Passengers
- Deployable
- Bulk (Commodities and equipment)
- Vehicle Packaging Options
- Design Approaches

**Examples of Potential Top-Level Functions**
**That Emerge from the Design Choices**

- Receiving/inspection
- Verify payload functional
- Prepare payload for transport to the launch vehicle
- Perform fluids servicing
- Perform weight, CG & balance
- Package P/L in shipping container; ship

**Definition:**
- Functions required at the spaceport to prepare cargo for shipment into space and retrieval from space.
- Also includes those functions performed offline from launch vehicle activity to prepare passengers and/or flight crew for departure to and return from space.
- _Note_: These functions DO NOT include the installation or “integration” of the payload into the launch vehicle.

- RELATIONSHIP!

**Notes:**
Definition
Functions required at the spaceport to prepare cargo for shipment into space and retrieval from space.

Also includes those functions performed offline from launch vehicle activity to prepare passengers and/or flight crew for departure to and return from space. 

Note: These functions DO NOT include the installation or “integration” of the payload into the launch vehicle.

Typical Service Options for Customer:
Sealed Delivery/Deployment only
Scientific Experiments Support
Late Access Services (Perishables/Life Sciences)
Govt High Security
Payload Commodity Servicing
Personnel Life Support
Test & Checkout
Assembly & Packaging

Payload Varieties & Flight System Design Options:
Passengers
Deployable (Satellites and Probes)
Bulk (Commodities and equipment)
Active (Experiments, Instrumentation, etc.)
External Shroud vs.Internal Bay/Cabin vs. External Pod
Containerized vs. Vehicle-Supplied Services
Custom-Built (payload unique interfaces with vehicle)
Cargo is lightest weight possible with little or no design margin vs.robust “cookie-cutter” approach with high degree of demonstrated reliability

## From Payload Integration to

- 1

- Space Cargo Shipping & Receiving

- Space Cargo Shipping & Receiving

***Move from labor intensive, clean room, custom services only...***

## A Closer Examination of theGeneric Spaceport Model

- Will look at a few examples of the twelve functions in more detail to reveal the technical challenges, management complexities and business opportunities
- Payload Functions
**Turnaround Functions**
- Traffic & Flight Control Functions

**Community Infrastructure**

**Traffic & Flight Control**

*(Including “Range” functions)*

**System Operations Planning & Management**

**Spaceport Support Infrastructure**

**Payload/**

**Cargo**

***Landing/***

***Recovery***

***Assembly &***

***Integration***

***Launch***

***Turnaround***

***Depot Maintenance***

***Element Receipt & ***

***Acceptance***

***Concept***

***-***

***Unique***

***Logistics***

**Community Infrastructure**

**Traffic & Flight Control**

*(Including “Range” functions)*

**System Operations Planning & Management**

**Spaceport Support Infrastructure**

**Offline Payload**
**Processing**

## CRUCIAL

*Generic Spaceport Functional Description*

**Flight Element Turnaround Functions **

**Typical Service Options for Customer:**
- P/L installation and/or removal

**Flight System Design Options Needing Consideration**
- Complexity v. simplicity
- Dependability of reusable flight hardware
- Elimination of Leaks, Shorts, Opens, Cracks, Corrosion
- Operational Design Life, Margins
- # of fluid systems

**List of Potential Top-Level Functions**
**That Emerge from the Design Choices**

_**Safing**_, if required (ordnance, cryos, etc.)
_**Inspection/checkout**_ to verify system health
_**Cargo removal/Installation**_ if desired
_**Troubleshooting and repair**_ as needed
_**Service**_ commodities and perform close-out if desired

**Definition:**
- Functions required to receive and prepare reusable space vehicle element(s) for assembly/launch ops
- Includes any necessary vehicle “_safing_”, _inspections_, _troubleshooting/repair_, _checkout_, and _servicing_
- Also includes support operations resulting from the foregoing functions (e.g., gaining access, applying power, controlling temperatures, supplying purge gases, etc.).

- RELATIONSHIP!

**Notes:**
Definition:
Functions required to receive and prepare reusable space vehicle element(s) for assembly/launch ops

Includes any necessary vehicle “safing”, inspections, troubleshooting/repair, checkout, and servicing (e.g., fluid replenishment, mechanical adjustments, software updates).
Functions also include support operations resulting from the foregoing functions (e.g., gaining access, applying power, controlling temperatures, supplying purge gases, etc.). 

## From Complex Turnaround Processes

- To Gate-Like Operations

***Move from time-consuming, labor-intensive, servicing-intensive, repair-intensive  operations with extensive ground support infrastructure, to...***

***...******Simple, dependable  vehicle turnaround that replenishes consumables only***

- Vision Spaceport artwork by Pat

- Vision Spaceport artwork by Pat

-  Rawlings

-  Rawlings

**Shuttle Orbiter in its Processing Facility**

## A Closer Examination of theGeneric Spaceport Model

- Will look at a few examples of the twelve functions in more detail to reveal the technical challenges, management complexities and business opportunities
- Payload Functions
- Turnaround Functions
**Traffic & Flight Control Functions**

**Community Infrastructure**

**Traffic & Flight Control**

*(Including “Range” functions)*

**System Operations Planning & Management**

**Spaceport Support Infrastructure**

**Payload/**

**Cargo**

***Landing/***

***Recovery***

***Assembly &***

***Integration***

***Launch***

***Turnaround***

***Depot Maintenance***

***Element Receipt & ***

***Acceptance***

***Concept***

***-***

***Unique***

***Logistics***

**Community Infrastructure**

**Traffic & Flight Control**

*(Including “Range” functions)*

**System Operations Planning & Management**

**Spaceport Support Infrastructure**

**Offline Payload**
**Processing**

## CRUCIAL

*Generic Spaceport Functional Description*

**Traffic and Flight Control Functions **

**Typical Service Options for Customer:**
- Protects space flight from harming general public
- Also...
- Measurement and tracking services
- In-Flight Communication services
- Navigational services
- Photographic services

**Architectural Design Options Needing Consideration**
- Custom vs. Standard Flight Planning
- Lack of Demonstrated Reliability vs Vehicle Certificate following Extensive Flight Certification
- Labor Intensive Control Rooms vs Traffic/Flt Management
- Ground Based vs Space-Based Monitoring
- Ascent vs Descent/Landing Monitoring Req’d

**List of Potential Top-Level Functions**
**That Emerge from the Design Choices**

- Management & control of systems for Ground-to-Flight Vehicle communications
- Weather advisory for flight vehicle departure and returns (also for ground operations)
- Flight Safety monitor and control during Ascent, Reentry, and Approach & Landing phases
- Audio-Visual monitoring of ground operations

**Definition:**
- Functions required monitor and control outbound and inbound space traffic, ground element movements within a spaceport , and also protect the public and high value assets during ground processing and space flight operations

- RELATIONSHIP!

## A New Vision for

- Space Traffic & Flight Control

- Space Traffic & Flight Control

***Tomorrow’s Space Traffic & Flight Control Center***

- Vision Spaceport artwork by Pat

- Vision Spaceport artwork by Pat

-  Rawlings

-  Rawlings

***Move from labor-intensive, time-consuming “Firing Rooms,” “Range Operations Control rooms”and “Mission Control rooms,” to...***

## Key Issue in Achieving the Space Traffic and Flight Control Vision

- Must demonstrate dramatic improvements in space flight reliability
- Moving from complex “Range” operations to airport/airliner-like Space Traffic and Flight Control requires orders of magnitude improvement in vehicle reliability
- Status quo is not compatible with the vision
- Will require one or more dedicated RLV “proving ground” with adequate development infrastructure to demonstrate and achieve the dramatic improvements (Back to our initial Cape Canaveral roots)

## Slide 19

## Spaceport ArchitecturesKey to Achieving a National Vision

- Spaceport ArchitecturesKey to Achieving a National Vision

_**Our Mission**_**:**
**Stimulating the creation of affordable space transportation**
**Accomplishing the  mission through collaborative research and use of concept & technology assessment tools **

## Summary

- _SUMMARY_
- Taken a Structured, Generic Look at Spaceport Architectural Elements and a Few Key Issues
- Key Principle for Everyone Involved and a charge:
- We must pursue _dramatic improvements_ in space transportation systems such that the _flight systems are compatible with the ground systems_ and our vision of spaceport operations
- That vision is one of affordable, responsive and safe space travel                  ..._for all of us_!
- Further, research & development investments by both government and industry must recognize the importance of the flight-to ground interactions and use its collective influence to demonstrate that dramatic improvements are achievable and supportive of grand, new space ventures