Stan Graves

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• NASA Technology Roadmaps
• ATK Commentary

• Stan Graves
• Vice President, Science Engineering
• ATK Propulsion Systems
• 435-863-4062
• stanley.graves_at_atk.com
• March 23 24, 2011

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• Assessment Guidelines and Assumptions
• Next generation heavy lift vehicles will employ
  both liquid and solid propulsion elements to
  optimize reliability, performance and cost.
• Assessment evaluated
• Total propulsion system performance and
  reliability
• Ground processing timelines
• Launch delays

Conclusion ATK endorses NASA technology roadmap
and provides guidance for priority and emphasis
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Heavy Lift Vehicles Use Both Liquids and Solids
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Solid/Liquid Combination is not a Coincidence
Solid propulsion performance and high reliability
increases likelihood of crew survival optimal
designs reduce lofting and eliminate black
out zones
The Solid/Liquid combination is not just a
coincidence it is a result of the physics,
economics, and programmatics of the launch
vehicle industry
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Solids Optimum for First Stage, Liquids Optimal
for Upper Stage
Solids optimize first stage performance (density
Isp). Liquids optimize Upper stage performance
(Isp). Hybrids are somewhere in between.
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Space Shuttle Ground Processing Timelines
Investments in both liquid and solid propulsion
ground process technologies are prudent since
launch operations timelines are virtually
identical
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Shuttle Launch Delays
NASA estimates that each scrub costs 500,000 in
lost fuel, and 700,000 to pay for the extra
workforce needed for launch attempts (ref
Space.com). The STS costs about 200M/month
operate (ref Augustine report).
Length of Launch Delays
Cost of Launch Delays
Technology investments should address overarching
system level issues that contribute to launch
delays. Solid propulsion reliability makes it an
attractive element of a highly dependable
architecture.
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Assessment of Ground Processing Propulsion
Technologies

• Items in RED are in the roadmaps at a lesser
  level. ATK recommends elevating the priority
  level of these items to have equal consideration
  to the other items on this list.
• Electric TVC
• Advanced launch abort and range safety
• Advanced pyrotechnic systems
• Solar thermal propulsion, solar electric
  propulsion, and air breathing propulsion

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ATK Assessment of Ground Processing and Vehicle
Technologies
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ATK Assessment of Ground Processing and Vehicle
Technologies
Highlighted technologies are not applicable to
commercial vehicles primarily because of
technology / implementation readiness
levels. Recommend lower TRL (1-3) focus for
these, with focus on heavy lift applications.
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ATK Assessment of Ground Processing and Vehicle
Technologies

• Integrated vehicle health management
• More than just the health of the liquid systems
• Solid rocket motor vehicle health management for
  composites, for logistics, for propellants , for
  joints and seals, for pyrotechnics
• Electric TVC
• Electric TVC lends itself to a propulsion and
  power control type system, and enables launch
  processing efficiencies / synergies

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ATK Assessment of Ground Processing and Vehicle
Technologies

• Domestic Sourcing of SRM Materials
• These technologies should include
  manufacturability considerations for the entire
  motor
• Advanced robotics suitable for low volume, high
  precision, propellant and ordnance operations
• Certified tooling or processes that enable
  certification of key characteristics without
  redundant inspections
• Automated factory models (anthropomorphic
  /ergonomic) that include QD and logistics
  considerations specific to the SRM industry

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Conclusion

• Application of both liquid and solid propulsion
  elements are necessary to optimize the overall
  system
• Reliability
• Performance
• Cost
• The majority of the technologies identified can
  benefit both commercial vehicles or heavy lift
  vehicles
• Most benefit both solids and liquids

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ATK Assessment of Ground Processing and Vehicle
Technologies
Questions?