| Payloads and Utilization Operations | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Spacelab | 86,700 | 50,300 | 14,200 |
| Tethered satellite system | 1,800 | -- | -- |
| Payload processing and support | 40,600 | 41,700 | 51,600 |
| Advanced projects | 24,200 | 34,700 | 58,700 |
| Engineering and technical base | 169,700 | 148,600 | 102,900 |
| Total | 323,000 | 275,300 | 227,400 |
| Distribution of Program Amount by Installation | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Johnson Space Center | 96,400 | 90,700 | 98,700 |
| Kennedy Space Center | 88,600 | 72,500 | 58,900 |
| Marshall Space Flight Center | 118,300 | 96,300 | 53,800 |
| Stennis Space Center | 1,600 | 1,700 | 1,400 |
| Langley Research Center | 300 | 300 | 500 |
| Goddard Space Flight Center | 9,500 | 7,300 | 7,600 |
| Headquarters | 8,300 | 6,500 | 6,500 |
| Total | 323,000 | 275,300 | 227,400 |
The primary goals of the Payload and Utilization Operations are
to support the processing and flight of shuttle payloads, to ensure
maximum return on the research investment, to reduce operations
costs, to continue to implement flight and ground systems improvements,
and to support strategic investments in advanced technology needed
to meet future requirements.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The principal areas of activity in Payload and Utilization Operations include the operation of the Spacelab systems; cooperative reflight of the U.S./Italian Tethered Satellite System (TSS); Payload Operations for accommodating NASA payloads; Advanced Projects; and the preservation of an Engineering and Technical Base (ETB) capability at the human space flight centers. The activities of these programs are accomplished by civil service and contractor personnel. Over the past several years, NASA has been extremely successful in reducing processing time and error rates while increasing customer satisfaction and controlling cost. NASA will continue to implement operational efficiencies gained to date, plus assume additional efficiencies from elimination of duplicative activities, and from accepting minor risk increases by eliminating some testing and analysis during payload processing. Workforce reductions achieved to date have not impacted schedule time and the FY 1998 strategy includes plans to further reduce the workforce while maintaining or continuing to improve customer satisfaction.
| BASIS OF FY 1998 FUNDING REQUIREMENT (Thousands Of Dollars) | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Spacelab | 86,700 | 50,300 | 14,200 |
PROGRAM GOALS
Spacelab is a versatile, reusable, cost-effective observatory
and laboratory facility located in the Space Shuttle payload bay.
Spacelab supports a wide variety of science and technology development
experiments which are developed by the utilizing programs within
NASA and other external organizations. Spacelab serves as both
an observatory and a laboratory, giving scientists the opportunity
to conduct a large variety of scientific experiments in the unique
environment of space.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
Ten foreign nations, including nine members of the European Space
Agency (ESA), participated in the joint Spacelab development program
with NASA. The ESA designed, developed, manufactured and delivered
the first set of Spacelab hardware which consisted of a pressurized
module, five pallets, subsystem support hardware (e.g. igloo,
Instrument Pointing Subsystem (IPS), racks, avionics, computers)
and much of the ground support hardware and flight and ground
software.
Spacelab is configured within the orbiter bay in numerous ways
to accommodate scientific experiments in the unique environment
of space. "Hands on" experiments requiring astronaut
participation use the pressurized module configuration. Experiments
not requiring a pressurized environment, or requiring visual access
to space, use the unpressurized pallet configuration. The module
is pressurized and thermally-controlled to enable astronauts to
work in a "shirt sleeve" environment. Easy crew access
from the orbiter middeck to the module is enabled by the Spacelab
tunnel. Module missions largely consist of life and microgravity
sciences experiments.
Spacelab pallet missions are designed to accommodate up to five
pallets in the orbiter bay, depending on the experiment requirements.
In the event the experiment requires the use of the Spacelab computers
and other avionics hardware which must be protected from the space
environment, the igloo is used to house the hardware and is flown
as an attachment to the pallet. Other pallet configurations include
the Spacelab pallet system (SPS). One configuration supports missions
requiring the use of the Spacelab computer system and pallet in
a mixed cargo configuration (i.e., more than one major payload
flown in the orbiter bay rather than a single major payload flown
using the igloo subsystem).
Spacelab operations support is comprised of mission planning,
mission integration, and flight and ground operations. This includes
integration of the flight hardware and software, mission independent
crew training, systems operation support, payload operations control
support, payload processing, logistical support and sustaining
engineering. Support software and procedures development, testing,
and training activities are also included in NASA's funding request.
The Spacelab operations cycle is repeated with each Spacelab flight,
but with a different payload complement. This cycle consists of
two processing integration steps. Spacelab Level IV processing
performs the integration and checkout of the experiment equipment
with individual experiment mounting elements like racks, rack
sets, and pallet segments, and is funded by the payload sponsor.
This activity is normally performed at the Kennedy Space Center
(KSC) but is not part of the Spacelab operations budget. Spacelab
Level III/II processing then combines and integrates all experiment
mounting elements such as racks, rack sets and pallet segments,
which have the experiment equipment already installed and ready
for checkout with the Spacelab software. This processing activity
is also performed at KSC and is funded under the Spacelab budget.
Spacelab operations also funds smaller secondary payloads like
the Get-Away Specials (GAS) and Hitchhiker payloads. The GAS payloads
are research experiments which are flown in standard canisters
that can fit either on the sidewall of the cargo bay or across
the bay on the GAS bridge. They are the simplest of the small
payloads with limited electrical and mechanical interfaces. Approximately
138 GAS payloads have been flown. The Hitchhiker payloads are
the more complex of the smaller payloads, and provide opportunities
for larger, more sophisticated experiments. The Hitchhiker system
employs two carrier configurations: (1) a configuration on the
orbiter payload bay sidewall and (2) a configuration across the
payload bay using a multi-purpose experiment support structure
(MPESS). During the mission, the Hitchhiker payloads can be controlled
and data can be received using the aft flight deck computer/standard
switch panels or from the ground through the payload operations
control center (POCC).
Payload analytical integration is the responsibility of the Payload
Projects Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), and
is supported by a contract with McDonnell-Douglas. Physical payload
integration and processing is the responsibility of the Payload
Management and Operations Office at the KSC, and is also supported
by a contract with McDonnell-Douglas.
Another item funded in Spacelab operations is the Flight Support
System (FSS). The FSS consists of three standard cradles with
berthing and pointing systems along with avionics. It is used
for on-orbit maintenance, repair, and retrieval of spacecraft.
The FSS is used on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) repair/revisit
missions.
The last Spacelab flight is scheduled for early 1998, with the
advent of the more permanent science laboratory flown by the International
Space Station (ISS). In FY 1998, Spacelab operations funding for
GAS, Hitchhiker payloads and the FSS will be transferred to the
Payload Processing and Support budget.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
| Spacelab Missions | Plan | Actual |
| United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-2) | September 1995 | October 1995 |
| Tether Satellite System Reflight (TSS-1R) | February 1996 | February 1996 |
| United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-3) | February 1996 | February 1996 |
| Life/Microgravity Sciences (LMS-1) | June 1996 | June 1996 |
| Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) | March 1997 | -- |
| United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-4) | October 1997 | -- |
| Space Life Sciences Laboratory-4 (Neurolab) | March 1998 | -- |
| FY 1998 | |||||
| Flight Hardware Utilized | Plan | Actual | Plan | Revised | Plan |
| Long Module | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structures (MPESS) | 1 | 1 | -- | -- | 1 |
| Pallets Plus MPESS | 2 | 1 | -- | -- | -- |
| Hitchhiker Experiments | 9 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 5 |
| Get Away Special Payloads | 15 | 15 | TBD | 2+TBD | 2+TBD |
| Contractor Workforce | |||||
| KSC (McDonnell-Douglas) | 254 | 240 | 253 | 228 | 73 |
| MSFC (McDonnell-Douglas) | 192 | 165 | 160 | 158 | 62 |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
In FY 1996, the Spacelab program flew the following manifested
missions: United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-2) module
mission, the Tether Satellite System Reflight (TSS-1R), United
States Microgravity Payload (USMP-3), the Life and Microgravity
Sciences (LMS) module mission, fifteen GAS payloads and nine Hitchhiker
experiments.
Regarding FY 1997 activities, the Spacelab program will integrate
and process Spacelab missions consistent with the Shuttle manifest
including the Microgravity Sciences Laboratory (MSL-1) mission,
as well as 14 Hitchhiker payloads and several GAS payloads. The
mission to reservice the Hubble Space Telescope (HST SM-2) will
utilize the flight support system (FSS). Efforts will be increased
during the fiscal year to prepare for the Spacelab program phase-down
(excluding the Hitchhiker, GAS and FSS programs), hardware/software
disposition, final program flight in March 1998 and closing of
the high bay in the Operations and Checkout facility presently
projected for late FY 1998.
In FY 1998, the Spacelab program will process and integrate USMP-4 mission and the Neurolab module mission. Following the Neurolab mission, the final Spacelab program phasedown will occur, including disposition of hardware and software and closing the high bay in the Operations and Checkout facility. Because the Spacelab program is being terminated in FY 1998, the Hitchhiker, GAS and FSS programs are being transferred to the Payload Processing and Support program. In FY 1998 and subsequent years, significant reductions in both laboratory support and civil service workforce will occur from discontinuing the Spacelab program.
| BASIS OF FY 1998 FUNDING REQUIREMENT (Thousands of Dollars) | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Tethered satellite system reflight | 1,800 | -- | -- |
PROGRAM GOALS
The goal of the Tethered satellite system reflight (TSS-1R) program
is to study the electro-dynamics behavior of the satellite-tether-orbiter
system as it interacts with the charged particles and electric
and magnetic fields within the Ionosphere, and to complete verification
of the capability and utility of a Space Shuttle-based tethered
satellite system (TSS).
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The TSS was a cooperative program with Italy to provide a reusable
space facility that would conduct space experiments at distances
up to 100 kilometers from the Space Shuttle Orbiter while being
held in a fixed position relative to the Orbiter. During the demonstration
mission flown in August 1992, the TSS verified its capability
to provide a dynamically stable research facility, but a mechanical
interference in the deployment system prevented full deployment
of the tether and satellite and completion of the science mission.
In response to an Italian Space Agency request to refly the mission,
NASA conducted a reflight study, including an independent assessment
of NASA's future use of tethered satellites. The study concluded
that a reflight mission could be readily accomplished and recommended
several improvements to enhance the probability of success. The
independent assessment identified a number of significant and
unique science and engineering objectives which can be accomplished
using tethered satellites, and urged the continued development
and utilization of the tethered technology. NASA agreed to refly
the TSS-1 mission in February 1996.
NASA was responsible for overall program management, systems engineering
and integration, orbiter integration, ground and flight operations,
development of the deployment mechanism and provision of the non-European
instruments (Office of Space Science funded). NASA made substantial
cost reductions in FY 1995 and FY 1996 by using in-house Marshall
Space Flight Center personnel to perform the TSS-1R integration
and operations. Italy was responsible for the design and development
of the satellite and the European instruments flown on the joint
mission. The United States Air Force sponsored one of the TSS-1R
investigations.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
| Plan | Actual | |
| Independent assessment of mission readiness | 1st Qtr 1996 | 4th Qtr 1995 |
| Launch TSS-1R | February 1996 | February 1996 |
| De-integrate TSS-1R | April 1996 | June 1996 |
| Post Mission Report | May 1996 | August 1996 |
| Complete Science Data Analysis | June 1997 | -- |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
In FY 1996, the TSS-1R program completed integrated mission simulations,
conducted an end-to-end communications test of the flight operations
configuration, installed the payload in the Shuttle, and held
flight readiness reviews. The TSS-1R mission was launched on STS-75
in February 1996. After being deployed to a distance of 19.7 kilometers,
the tether broke and the satellite was lost. An independent review
panel investigated the in-flight failure of the tether system
and found the tether failed due to electrical arcing between the
tether and deployer causing the burning and subsequent failure
of the tether. Despite the incident, data gathered prior to the
failure is expected to accomplish a majority of the science objectives.
After completion of the TSS-1R mission, the remaining hardware
was de-integrated and project phase-out began. Activity planned
for completion in FY 1997 includes mission and science data analysis,
hardware storage and decommissioning, future mission studies in
accordance with the NASA/Italian MOU, and documentation archiving.
| BASIS OF FY 1998 FUNDING REQUIREMENT (Thousands of Dollars) | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Payload processing and support | 40,600 | 41,700 | 51,600 |
PROGRAM GOALS
The primary goal for payload processing and support is to provide
the capability to safely and efficiently assemble, test, checkout,
service, and integrate a wide variety of Space Shuttle spacecraft
and space experiments.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The payload processing and support program provides the technical expertise, facilities and capabilities necessary to perform: payload buildup; test and checkout; integration and servicing of multiple payloads; transportation to the launch vehicle; and integration and installation into the launch vehicle. Included in this program are operational efficiencies gained to date, as well as additional anticipated efficiencies to reduce cost and improve customer satisfaction. Efficiencies already in place have reduced processing time and error rate. Funding from additional realized operational savings was transferred to Advanced Projects for the X-38 program in FY 1997 and to Engineering and Technical Base for Advanced Space Transportation Program requirements in
FY 1998. Due to the termination of the Spacelab program in FY
1998, the Hitchhiker, Get Away Special (GAS) and Flight Support
System (FSS) program will become part of the Payload Processing
and Support program in FY 1998.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
| Missions Supported | Plan | Actual | Plan | Revised | Plan |
| Space Shuttle Missions | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Spacelab Payloads | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Hitchhiker Experiments | 9 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 5 |
| Get-Away Special Payloads | 15 | 15 | TBD | 2+TBD | 2+TBD |
| Mir Missions | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Other Major Payloads | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Other Secondary Payloads | 2 | 2 | 1 | -- | -- |
| Expendable Launch Payloads | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 8 |
| Number of Payload Facilities Operating at KSC | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| KSC Payload Ground Operations (PGOC) Workforce | 362 | 361 | 359 | 360 | 360 |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
The FY 1996 funding provided payload processing and support for
eight Space Shuttle missions, as well as the necessary customer
payload processing facilities and support for 37 major and secondary
payloads. Among the payloads processed in FY 1996 include United
States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-2), three Shuttle Mir missions
(S/MM-2, 3 and 4), Space Flyer Unit Retrieval (SFU-RETR), Tethered
Satellite System Reflight (TSS-1R), United States Microgravity
Payload (USMP-3), SPARTAN 207/IAE, OAST FLYER, Spacehab-4, and
Life and Microgravity Spacelab (LMS). Payload processing facility
support was provided to ELV payloads such as Near Earth Asteroid
Rendezvous (NEAR), Solar Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), and
X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE). These payloads are provided by American
industries and universities, and also in cooperation with our
international partners. The reflight of the Italian Tethered Space
Satellite (TSS-1R) was a major payload involving international
cooperation. Work was completed on the refurbishment of the instrument
and control system and the environmental control system of the
payload canister and transporter (used for transporting payloads
at KSC). Consistent with the Agency's reduction of its infrastructure,
NASA transferred the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Hangar AO
facility to the Air Force in January 1996.
In FY 1997, Payload Processing and Support will furnish launch
and landing payload support for seven Shuttle missions, as well
as payload processing facilities and support for 25 major and
secondary payloads. The payloads to be processed in FY 1997 include
Orfeus-Spas-2, Wake Shield Facility (WSF-3), Microgravity Science
Laboratory (MSL-1), Shuttle Mir missions ((S/MM-5, 6 and 7), Hubble
Space Telescope Servicing Mission (HST-SM-2), Crista-Spas-2 and
Manipulator Flight Demonstration (MFD). Payload processing facility
support will be provided to ELV payloads such as Advanced Composition
Explorer (ACE), GOES-K, Mars Pathfinder, and Mars Global Surveyor
(MGS).
In FY 1998, Payload Processing and Support will furnish launch and landing payload support for seven Shuttle missions, as well as payload processing facilities and support for 16 major and secondary payloads. Among the payloads to be processed are U.S. Microgravity payload (USMP-4), Neurolab, Spartan 201-04, Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), Shuttle Mir missions ((S)MM-8, 9), Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), two International Space Station (ISS-01-2A, 02-3A) assembly flights, and several secondary payloads. Payload processing facility support will be provided to ELV payloads such as New Millenium Deep Space-I and Cassini. The Hitchhiker, GAS, and FSS programs will be transferred to this budget from the discontinued Spacelab program.
| BASIS OF FY 1998 FUNDING REQUIREMENT (Thousands of Dollars) | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Advanced projects | 24,200 | 34,700 | 58,700 |
PROGRAM GOALS
The primary goals of the program are to mature technologies to
enhance crew safety for the Space Shuttle and Space Station, to
implement flight and ground systems improvements to substantially
reduce cost of Space Flight operations, and to pursue advanced
technology developments to meet future Human Space Flight requirements.
Secondary goals of the program are to promote transfer of advanced
technologies and to develop a fully capable, diverse and motivated
workforce. The Advanced Projects activity includes five program
elements: Advanced Development and Operations, Advanced Space
Systems, Advanced Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Systems, Telerobotics
Research and Technology, and the X-38 demonstration program.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The Advanced Development and Operations program supports projects
which improve ground and flight operations of current and future
Human Space Flight vehicles by identifying, advocating and demonstrating
available technologies and processes which are more efficient,
cost-effective, reliable, have dual use potential, and meet safety
and performance requirements. The projects are developed to a
prototype level to validate their objectives within three years.
Successfully demonstrated projects are transitioned to an operational
program for implementation and to private enterprise for commercial
development.
Several Advanced Operations projects have been jointly funded,
either in their development or commercialization, by other government
agencies such as the Department of Energy, and the State of Florida,
as well as by private industry, via cooperative agreements or
Space Act Agreements. The Advanced Operations program places a
high priority on leveraging its limited funds through partnerships
with other fund sources, public and private, to achieve its goals.
The Advanced Space Systems program includes the Orbital Debris
program and a series of flight demonstration experiments to validate
critical advanced technologies in a relevant environment. The
Orbital Debris effort supports projects which improve the safety
of the Space Shuttle and the Space Station by measuring, modeling,
and mitigating the orbital debris environment. In addition, the
Orbital Debris activity includes an international cooperative
program, jointly funded by the space agencies of Russia, Japan,
China and the European Space Agency, which seeks to develop a
common understanding of the debris environment. This program also
develops common practices for protecting spacecraft and mitigating
the orbital debris environment. The Flight Demonstration program
identifies and demonstrates available technologies and processes
which are efficient, cost-effective, reliable, and meet safety
and performance requirements. Projects are matured to a protoflight
level, utilizing existing carriers as test beds for developing
space flight hardware and operational processes to ensure their
readiness to meet operational requirements. Flight demonstrations
also includes training for young NASA engineers and managers with
early "hands-on" flight hardware experience.
For safety reasons, a Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) is necessary for
permanent human habitation of the International Space Station.
The X-38 experimental vehicle is specifically designed to demonstrate
the technologies and processes required to produce a CRV in a
"better, faster, cheaper" mode. Evaluation of the performance
of the technologies of the X-38 systems are conducted through
a series of ground, air, and space tests. Based on the U.S. Air
Force/Martin-Marietta X-24A lifting body research vehicle, successful
demonstration of the X-38 technologies will lead to a final CRV
configuration for implementation on the International Space Station.
Through cooperative arrangements which are under discussion with
the European Space Agency, the DOD, and the Japanese Space Agency,
NASA will also seek to find and develop commonality between the
CRV and other space vehicles.
The primary goals of the Advanced EVA program are to perform the
scientific research and engineering development needed to mature
technologies that enhance EVA crew safety, reduce EVA operational
cost and enhance capabilities to meet future space flight requirements.
The Advanced EVA research and development program includes research
and development to reduce the operational impact of decompression
sickness, while increasing safety via better understanding of
the science involved. The research and development roadmap includes
tasks to address environmental protection, EVA mobility, electronics
integration, and EVA system integration with other space systems.
The Advanced EVA program is conducted using a mix of ground based
simulation and flight testing to prove the development approach.
After four years of ground-based research and development, the
program concludes with a three-year task to demonstrate on-orbit
the new EVA technologies from a systems point of view. The program
actively seeks partnering with industry and other government agencies
as well as transfer of technology into the program from outside
sources to accomplish the needed technology development.
The Telerobotics Research and Technology program includes research
and development of telerobotics technologies to improve crew efficiencies
and capabilities for the Human Exploration and Development of
Space, including the International Space Station and Space Shuttle.
Telerobotics research includes areas such as EVA assistant, dexterous
manipulators, sensing and processing, mobility systems, human
interfaces, and other related telerobotics technologies. The telerobotics
program is conducted through ground and flight research and demonstrations
to prove the viability of each technology approach. The Telerobotics
Research and Technology program was transferred to the Advanced
Projects Office during FY 1997, from the former Office of Space
Access and Technology.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
The success of the Advanced Projects activities has been, and
will continue to be, measured by the success of its projects.
Over 100 projects have been supported in the past six years, most
of which have been successful in delivering products that enhance
the efficiency and reduce the cost of ground and flight operations.
Many of the advanced technologies incorporated in the new integrated
Shuttle/Station Mission Control Center were developed in this
program. These technologies are contributing to a significant
reduction of Space Flight mission operations costs. The following
events represent significant milestones in the successful completion
of this program:
Advanced Operations
| Performance Milestone | Plan | Actual/Revised | Description/Status |
| Migrate Mission Information
System and Electronic Documentation System to the MCC | 1st Qtr FY 1996 | 1st Qtr FY 1996 | Provides paperless documentation capability to the MCC and flight support offices at the Johnson Space Center, to remote payload support offices, and to the flight vehicle. Both tools are now in routine use in the MCC |
| Deliver on-board training system for STS-76/Mir mission demonstration | 3rd Qtr FY 1996 | 3rd Qtr FY1996 | Demonstrates the capability to provide contingency and proficiency training for crews via laptop computer during long-duration missions. |
| Demonstrate Electronic Documentation System on-board STS-76/Mir | 3rd Qtr FY 1996 | 3rd Qtr FY 1996 | Extends the "paperless" flight document capability now available in the Mission Control Center to the flight vehicle enabling more efficient document update during long-duration missions as well as reduced publication costs. |
| Complete Advanced Training "walk-in" virtual environment | 3rd Qtr FY 1996 | 3rd Qtr FY 1996 | Demonstrates state-of-the art training technique which could improve efficiency and reduce cost of total immersion training previously provided by simulators and water tanks. |
In the Orbital Debris activity, accurate measurements have been made of the orbital debris environment. Models have been developed to predict the changes in the environment as a function of time. Utilizing these measurements, flight rules, operational procedures, and new orbital debris protection systems have been developed and/or modified to improve/enhance safety during Shuttle and Space Station operations. To date, a total of 16 successful flight demonstrations have been flown. All of these demonstrations achieved their primary technical objectives. All of the flight demonstration projects that are currently under development have been manifested. Future milestones include:
Advanced Space Systems
| Performance Milestone | Plan | Actual/Revised | Description/Status |
| Static Feed Electrolyzer (SFE) Flight Demonstration Critical Design Review | 1st Qtr FY 1996 | 3rd Qtr FY 1996 | This flight demonstration will validate the microgravity sensitivity of key SFE subsystem components on an integrated basis. An operational SFE would reduce the annual resupply weight for the International Space Station by 12,000 pounds with an associated reduction in logistics costs. The CDR was delayed in FY 1996 due to lack of final design maturity. |
|
International Space Welding Experiment (ISWE) Cargo Integration Review | 1st Qtr FY 1997 | Under Development | The ISWE will demonstrate the ability to perform contingency repairs to the International Space Station using an electron beam welding device developed by the Paton Institute in the Ukraine. |
Orbital Debris Collector (ODC) Returned from Mir | 4th Qtr FY 1997 | -- | The ODC is an experiment to collect in-situ samples of the micro debris environment from the orbit of the International Space Station to understand the sources of this debris and thus enabling effective steps to mitigate it. |
| Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Satellite (SEDSAT) Delivery to KSC | 4th Qtr FY 1997 | -- | Delivery of SEDSAT satellite for testing and integration. |
| Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Satellite (SEDSAT) Launch | 4th Qtr FY 1997 | -- | Deployment of SEDSAT as a DELTA II secondary payload. SEDSAT will serve as an amateur radio relay system and will collect multi-spectral remote sensing data. |
| SFE Flight Demonstration | 1st Qtr FY 1998 | Under Development | This flight demonstration will verify the performance capability of the SFE subsystem in microgravity during the STS-87 mission. This flight demonstration was redirected at the request of Space Station. A new oxygen generation experiment is planned. |
| International Space Welding Experiment (ISWE) Flight Demonstration | 1st Qtr FY 1998 | Under Development | The capability of the Ukrainian Universal Hardware to perform contingency repairs on the International Space Station will be demonstrated during the STS-87 Mission. The ISWE project has been recently demanifested to accommodate the reflight of the EVA Development Flight Test (EDFT) program on STS-87. An alternative flight manifest opportunity for ISWE is under review. |
X-38
| Performance Milestone | Plan | Actual/Revised | Description/Status |
| Atmospheric Test Program | 4th Qtr FY 1997 | -- | Five atmospheric test flights of Vehicles 131 and 132 conducted to demonstrate full lifting body control and parafoil control systems. |
| Begin initial Space Vehicle (201) Construction | 4th Qtr FY 1997 | -- | Construction of the first (201) space vehicle will be initiated. Primary structure (cabin and aft fuselage) will be fabricated, most subsystems installed and ready for integrated test, and some aeroshell panels with thermal protection system will be completed. |
Advanced EVA Research and Development
| Performance Milestone | Plan | Actual/Revised | Description/Status |
| Gloves ready for flight tests | 2nd Qtr FY 1997 | 3rd Qtr FY 1998 & 3rd Qtr FY 1999 | Demonstrates on-orbit performance of gloves which incorporate increased mobility features and better thermal protection. |
| Soft space suit configuration hardware delivery | 2nd Qtr FY 1998 | -- | Delivery of new soft space suit for testing. Soft suits hold potential of being lighter weight and easier to stow. |
| Soft space suit configuration comparison test delivery | 3rd Qtr FY 1998 | -- | Demonstrates the amount of mobility that can be incorporated into a soft suit configuration. |
| Radiator ready for test | 3rd Qtr FY 1998 | -- | Demonstrates on-orbit cooling using a radiator instead of water sublimation in the real thermal environment. |
Telerobotics Research and Technology
| Performance Milestone | Plan | Actual/Revised | Description/Status |
| Free-Flying Camera Robots for EVA | 4th Qtr FY 1997 | -- | Implement upgrades to the existing Supplemental Camera and Maneuvering Platform (SCAMP) system. |
| Robotics Technologies for ISS Maintenance | 2nd Qtr FY 1997
4th Qtr FY 1997 4th Qtr FY 1997 | -- | Testing of remote surface inspection systems.
Evaluation of calibrated synthetic viewing. Performance of robotic control technologies |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
FY 1996 was a transition year for the Advanced Operations program. Four high-leverage tasks were completed: First, the Electronic Documentation Project completed certification testing, and transitioned operations to the Mission Control Center, extended its capabilities to other NASA Centers, and demonstrated its use on-board the Shuttle. Second, the Advanced Training Technologies (ATT) project demonstrated the capability to provide contingency and proficiency training in orbit via laptop computer, and demonstrated a "walk-in" virtual environment to provide total immersion training now done in simulators and water tanks. One of the products of the ATT project was named NASA Invention of the Year for 1995, and its project manager received the 1995 American Management Society award for outstanding technical management. Third, the Cooperating Expert Systems (COOPES) project completed development and certification of vehicle system monitoring expert systems and information sharing software tools for the Mission Control Center. The project received a Federal Leadership Award and a Space Act Award during
FY 1995 for development of the Information Protocol. Fourth, the
Conductive Polymer Coating Space Act Agreement received the final
installment in its 3-year commercial development process. The
corporate, university and government laboratory partners plan
to complete testing of the coating and have it ready for market
in 1998. Beginning in FY 1997, this successful program will be
transitioned to the Space Shuttle program to help meet its cost
reduction goals.
Also in FY 1996, an Advanced Development effort was initiated to mitigate risk for the future development of a crew return vehicle and other applications. Industry has been briefed on the X-38 program status and how the design of the Space Station CRV will
be based on the design and technologies demonstrated on the space
flight test articles of the X-38 program. An industry procurement
competition for the operational Space Station CRV flight vehicle
production is scheduled to take place in late FY 1997. By pursuing
a rapid prototype technology demonstration effort, the X-38 program
will validate critical technologies required to support the development
of an operational Space Station CRV resulting in substantially
reduced development costs for this capability, while providing
a cost effective opportunity to validate technologies for other
future space flight requirements. The X-38 project is an effort
to reduce the cost of a crew return vehicle (CRV) for the International
Space Station by developing and flight-testing critical technologies
for the vehicle. The effort is an in-house, civil servant effort
focused on design studies, computer analysis, subsystem component
testing and limited in-flight demonstrations. The resulting operational
CRV is to be prodcued by industry utilizing the technologies advanced
by NASA. Particular emphasis is placed on technologies that have
the potential to reduce design and operational costs for the vehicle.
This activity will continue through FY 1999.
The X-38 program will continue to measure subsystem and system
performance throughout FY 1997. A key element of the plans include
completion of the Atmospheric Test program in which two vehicles
(131, 132) will be drop-tested from a B-52 to prove a mix of lifting
body and parafoil systems and flight modes. Construction of the
first space vehicle (201) will be nearly complete during FY 1998.
The Aft Fuselage, Outer Skin and Thermal Protection Systems (TPS)
will be completed and the first de-orbit module will be delivered.
Integrated testing of vehicle 201 will also begin in FY 1998.
In the Advanced Space Systems program a total of 16 successful
flight demonstrations have been conducted. Some examples of recent
accomplishments follow:
The second phase (hardware development phase) of the International
Space Welding Experiment (ISWE) with the Paton welding Institute
(PWI) in Ukraine was successfully initiated. A phase 2 (hardware
development) contract with PWI was negotiated for the delivery
of two sets of universal hardware as well as a work station. Design
and fabrication of the flight universal hardware and the work
station were completed early in FY 1997. Delivery of the flight
universal hardware occurred in FY 1996 and the flight workstation
was delivered in early FY 1997.
The Orbital Debris program is directed at measuring the orbital
debris environment, developing debris growth mitigation measures,
and enhancing spacecraft protection and survivability techniques.
Additional hours of observations of the debris environment were
collected in FY 1996 using the Haystack Orbital Debris Radar bringing
the total to over 5000 hours. Additional measurements of the environment
were obtained from numerous Shuttle missions providing invaluable
data on the nature of the micro-debris environment and its damage
potential to manned spacecraft. The liquid metal mirror telescope
was moved to Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Visual observations of debris
particles as small as 10 centimeters in geostationary orbit are
possible using this telescope. The Orbital Debris Radar Calibration
Spheres (ODERACS-2) flight demonstration was flown on the Space
Shuttle. ODERACS-2 successfully deployed three spheres and three
dipoles which were used to calibrate the Haystack Orbital Debris
Radar, optical telescopes and other radars used to characterized
the orbital debris environment.
In FY 1997 and FY 1998, the Haystack Auxiliary Radar and the Haystack
Radar will continue to monitor the orbital debris environment
for the Space Station. Orbital debris will continue to focus on
characterizing changes in the orbital debris environment as a
function of time and on establishing measures for mitigation of
debris growth trends. An international geostationary debris observing
program will be initiated with participation from NASA, ESA, Russia,
Japan, Australia, and other spacefaring nations. Work will begin
on the design of an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) debris shield
for protecting the Space Station crews when they are exposed to
the debris environment during an EVA.
In FY 1997, Advanced Projects will support the AERcam/Sprint flight
experiment, a robotic "flying eye" for visualization
and inspection of science and Space Station payloads.
The Debris Capture experiment will be returned from the Mir station
after approximately one year in orbit. Analysis will begin of
the debris samples captured by the aero gel.
The ISWE flight demonstration will acheive launch readiness early
in FY 1998, but a flight date aboard the Space Shuttle remains
to be determined.
In FY 1997 and FY 1998, the Advanced EVA Research and Development
program will start research to address the mechanisms which control
decompression sickness in a zero gravity environment. Research
into better protection for EVA operations in the space environment
will also be initiated. The design efforts for space suits which
are predominantly built with soft elements and a portable life
support system which uses cryo oxygen will be initiated.
| BASIS OF FY 1998 FUNDING REQUIREMENT (Thousands of Dollars) | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Engineering and technical base | 169,700 | 148,600 | 102,900 |
PROGRAM GOALS
The focus of the Engineering and Technical Base (ETB) is to support
the institutional capability in the operation of space flight
laboratories, technical facilities, and testbeds; to conduct independent
safety, and reliability assessments; and to stimulate science
and technical competence in the United States. ETB activities
are carried out at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) including White
Sands Test Facility (WSTF), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Marshall
Space Flight Center (MSFC), and Stennis Space Center (SSC). ETB
provides the underpinning of the Centers' performance of research
and analysis and testing tasks, to solve present problems, and
to reduce costs in developing programs, technologies, and materials.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The Office of Space Flight (OSF) strives to sustain its institutional
technical base and preserve a high degree of core capability and
excellence. Since FY 1994 the four OSF centers have consolidated
activities and have identified ways to economize the resources
committed to ETB while maintaining ETB's benefits to the nation's
human space flight program. Over the next few years, this consolidation
will continue to generate savings in information resources management
and contract streamlining. A prioritized core environment will
be dedicated to multi-program labs and test facilities, associated
systems, equipment, and a full range of skills capable of response
to research, testing and simulation demands.
As the ETB budget is reduced, several activities will be continued
to refine current business practices. Mandatory equipment repair
and replacement will be reassessed. Software applications for
multi-program analytical tools will be implemented. Strategy to
better manage the NASA investment in information processing resources
will include aggressive actions to integrate and consolidate more
ADP operations. ETB will ensure synergism among major NASA engineering
programs. Awards for education and research tasks will be granted
to support educational excellence and research learning opportunities
in colleges and universities. A key component of the ETB strategy
will be to provide a core capability for future human space flight
endeavors with fewer resources. Future budget constraints dictate
that new innovative processes be adopted to meet critical ETB
core requirements, and that non-critical capabilities be streamlined
or eliminated.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
| Performance Milestone | Plan | Actual/Revised | Description/Status | |
| Laboratory facilities (KSC) | -- | -- | Continuing Support for 22 labs for approximately 121 applied research projects | |
| Laboratory facilities (JSC) | -- | -- | Continuing support for science and engineering laboratories | |
| Laboratory facilities (MSFC) | -- | -- | Continuing support for approximately 50 core laboratory areas | |
| Propulsion Facility and Lab Facilities (WSTF) | -- | -- | Continuing provision of core environment to support customer base | |
| Information resource management (IRM) Five Year Investment Plan (MSFC) | 4th Qtr FY 1996 | 4th Qtr FY 1997 | Consolidate ADP Operations of the other Field Centers to the supercomputer. Ames Research Center is in charge of the initiative. A draft schedule is currently being reviewed, but this will be an on-going effort through FY 1997. | |
| NASA Minority University Research and Education Program at JSC, KSC, MSFC &SSC | -- | -- | Award education and research grants |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
The institutional technical base accomplished numerous activities
in FY 1996. At JSC, ETB funded the purchase of laboratory equipment
and technicians, engineering workstations, calibration equipment
and services, component fabrication, and Class VI computer maintenance
and operations in support of the science and engineering laboratories
and facilities at JSC. This ETB support ensures that JSC retains
the capability to perform real-time mission analysis of flight
anomalies and real-time and post-flight problem resolutions, as
well as other science and engineering testing and analysis. In
addition to laboratory support, ETB supports safety, reliability,
and quality assurance (SR&QA) activities for the Space Shuttle
and Space Station programs. JSC also continued to award ETB research
grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
and Other Minority Universities (OMUs).
At WSTF, FY 1996 ETB funding supported the propulsion testing
facility and other laboratory infrastructure. Maintaining this
core environment with ETB enabled WSTF to support a customer base
with testing and evaluations of spacecraft materials, components,
and propulsion systems for safe human exploration and utilization
of space. It enabled WSTF to perform tasks for all NASA programs
as well as other Government agencies and the aerospace and medical
industry.
With ETB funding, the KSC supports a core environment for 22 laboratories
and for 121 applied research projects. The ETB enables the KSC
to eliminate potentially critical failures on the KSC fiber optic
circuits and assists the Shuttle Launch Processing System organization
in understanding and properly using fiber optics for launch processing.
The ETB supported upgrades to the LC-39 measurement system. The
ETB also participated in the development of landing aids for a
lightning warning and prediction system, as well as development
of toxic vapor detectors and sensors to measure vapors from the
Space Shuttle tile waterproofing compound. In addition, ETB supports
KSC's Life Sciences tasks.
The MSFC allocation of ETB funds supports approximately 50 core
laboratory areas. ETB support enables the Center's technical core
capability to provide in-depth technical support for designs,
developments, testing, mission operations and evaluation of Launch
Vehicles, Space Transportation Systems, Space Stations, and Payloads.
ETB enables MSFC to conduct research and development efforts related
to advanced propulsion systems and spacecraft, as well as engineering
design, systems engineering, systems integration, material and
process engineering, physical science research, test and evaluation,
data analysis and system simulations. As the NASA Center of Excellence
in propulsion systems, in FY 1997, MSFC is continuing to support
the Advanced Space Transportation Technology Program, whose ultimate
objective is to make dramatic reductions in the cost of boosting
payloads into low-Earth orbit. Funding in the amount of $12.0
million is identified to continue development of low-cost, small
booster technologies and demonstration of rocket-based combined
cycle (RBCC) propulsion hardware. Effort on low-cost small booster
technologies will include avionics hardware, engine component
hardware (injector, chamber, turbomachinery, valves, actuators,
ducts and lines), test support and propellants for component testing.
RBCC activities include test hardware fabrication, test support
and propellants. Continuation of these activities after FY 1997
has been transferred to the Aeronautics and Space Technology program.
At SSC, ETB supports the SSC technical core laboratory operations, and will fund initial operations for the Component Test Facility (CTF) in FY 1997. CTF will play a central role in making the Stennis Space Center the Center of Excellence for propulsion testing. The SSC laboratories perform activities for the Space Shuttle program, reimbursable resident governmental agencies and the CTF test operations. The SSC core laboratory environment provides customers with gas and material analysis, non-destructive evaluations, standards and calibrations, environmental analysis, fluid component processing, maintenance and fabrication of welded structures and components, and machining and fabrication of mechanical structures and components. ETB also enables SSC to complete advanced planning studies involving cost trade presentations for future facility utilization and technology development tasks such as the seal configuration tester prototype. ETB also funds sensor development for engine health management and for spectral analysis.
The ETB program includes the institutional Safety and Mission
Assurance (SRM&QA) contractor workforce performs space flight
activities at JSC, WSTF, MSFC and KSC. This workforce includes
highly skilled personnel who are charged with responsibility to
conduct assessments of conformance to reliability and quality
standards. in FY 1996, surveillance of design, manufacturing and
testing of hardware and software was conducted to ensure compliance
with NASA safety and mission assurance requirements. The ETB resources
will support independent assessments of flight and test equipment
and testing operations, including product assurance tasks for
the International Space Station program (ISS). However, product
assurance tasks and funding for the ISS will be transferred to
the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance in FY 1998.
Information resource management (IRM) processing achieved efficiencies
and improved economies of scale through the consolidation of IBM-compatible
mainframes supporting administrative and programmatic automated
data processing (ADP) services at the NASA ADP Consolidation Center
located at MSFC. Consolidation of user requirements and information
technology plans were implemented at JSC, MSFC, SSC and Headquarters.
The NASA Automated Data Processing (ADP) Consolidation Center
(NACC) provides supercomputing capability for its customers for
engineering and scientific computer-intensive applications 7 days
a week. The NACC supercomputing facility was established in FY
1994 and is managed through the MSFC NACC Project Office. The
NACC supercomputing facility includes a mainframe located at MSFC
and a smaller distributed system located at JSC.
The NACC supercomputing customers are from JSC and MSFC. The NACC
supercomputer facilities include hardware and software to conduct
thermal radiation analyses, computational fluid dynamics, structural
dynamics and stress analyses for NASA programs such as the Space
Shuttle, X-33, X-34, Space Station, and Reusable Launch Vehicle.
The facilities also conduct certification and engineering performance
evaluation of flight and test data. In the past, supercomputing
at both JSC and MSFC was funded through ETB at the individual
Centers. The NACC supercomputing facility is funded through ETB
and programmatic funding from the participating supercomputer
customers beginning in FY 1996. During FY 1997, MSFC and JSC will
continue to develop and process software applications under the
new funding arrangements.
In cooperation with the goals of the NASA Minority University
Research and Education Program, ETB enables the space flight Centers
to participate in programs to stimulate science and technical
competence in the Nation. The ETB program enabled the Centers
to award education and research grants to Historically Black Colleges
and Universities (HBCU), Other Minority Universities (OMU), Teacher/Faculty
enhancement programs, and JSC University Research Program. MSFC
awarded a total of 52 grants in FY 1996. Examples of awards granted
include solution crystal growth in low gravity; organic fiber
optic sensors; hydrazine solution disposal; atmospheric corrosion
sensor; properties of ion beam deposits, and phytoalexins in plant
disease.
In FY 1998, the ETB budget will continue to implement reductions resulting from the Agency's zero-base review. These reductions will result in a reduced level of science and engineering lab support to human space flight programs, streamlined technical operations, additional ADP consolidation activities, and reduced education and research awards funding. These reductions will require that all Centers continue to assess their range of workforce skills, analytical tools and facilities dedicated to ensure space flight institutional engineering support for future human space flight programs and the existing customer base. This assessment will focus on maintaining core support for design, development, test and evaluations, independent assessments, simulation, operations support, anomaly resolution, and systems engineering activities with reduced funding. The operation and maintenance of the CTF will be supported, as will a variety of research and engineering laboratories. FY 1998 funding is significantly reduced from previous years due to the transfer of the development of low-cost small booster technologies and demonstration of rocket-based combined cycle (RBCC) hardware to the Advanced Space Transportation Technology program; the transfer of the International Space Station independent assessment function to the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance; and other infrastructure reductions at the Human Space Flight