Location
Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel
Start Date
29-4-1998 8:00 AM
Description
This paper focuses on spacecraft and payload design for efficient and low-cost launch site processing. An important assumption here is the use of a modern processing facility, one that is optimized for satellites designed for low-cost operations at the launch site. A typical spacecraft processing flow includes operations in three different areas: non-hazardous, hazardous, and on-pad checkout activities. Smart design practices in each of these areas can reduce the time span for payload processing and thus lower costs throughout the operation. A state-ofthe- art processing facility requires a large expenditure of funds up front, but will recoup those dollars over the useful life of the facility and the satellites processing through it. It is the purpose of this paper to propose a series of design requirements for any satellite application, be it a series intended as part of a constellation (e.g. GPS) or a one-time mission (e.g. Cassini). New spacecraft designers must be able to think past the boundaries of the satellite bus and its payload and determine how the system will be readied for launch at the launch base. This requires a systems approach to design, one based on a rigorous requirements definition process and regular interaction with the engineers who will perform the processing operations prior to launch. Most engineers are not schooled in designing for ease of processing - they are taught how to create a satellite to perform a certain mission. This paper aims to highlight efficient and simple launch site processing activities. While not serving as an all-inclusive checklist for smart processing, this paper tries to get the new spacecraft engineer to start thinking about streamlining launch base activities.
Paper Session II-C - Decreasing the cost of Spacecraft Processing
Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel
This paper focuses on spacecraft and payload design for efficient and low-cost launch site processing. An important assumption here is the use of a modern processing facility, one that is optimized for satellites designed for low-cost operations at the launch site. A typical spacecraft processing flow includes operations in three different areas: non-hazardous, hazardous, and on-pad checkout activities. Smart design practices in each of these areas can reduce the time span for payload processing and thus lower costs throughout the operation. A state-ofthe- art processing facility requires a large expenditure of funds up front, but will recoup those dollars over the useful life of the facility and the satellites processing through it. It is the purpose of this paper to propose a series of design requirements for any satellite application, be it a series intended as part of a constellation (e.g. GPS) or a one-time mission (e.g. Cassini). New spacecraft designers must be able to think past the boundaries of the satellite bus and its payload and determine how the system will be readied for launch at the launch base. This requires a systems approach to design, one based on a rigorous requirements definition process and regular interaction with the engineers who will perform the processing operations prior to launch. Most engineers are not schooled in designing for ease of processing - they are taught how to create a satellite to perform a certain mission. This paper aims to highlight efficient and simple launch site processing activities. While not serving as an all-inclusive checklist for smart processing, this paper tries to get the new spacecraft engineer to start thinking about streamlining launch base activities.
Comments
Session Chairman: Major Scott Swanson, USAF, Director of Launch Systems Acquisition and Operations
Session Organizer: Frank Aderton