{"id":40074,"date":"2012-07-06T22:31:53","date_gmt":"2012-07-06T14:31:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/nasa-safety-panel-call-for-crew-risk-mitigation-via-debut-sls-mission\/"},"modified":"2012-07-06T22:31:53","modified_gmt":"2012-07-06T14:31:53","slug":"nasa-safety-panel-call-for-crew-risk-mitigation-via-debut-sls-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/nasa-safety-panel-call-for-crew-risk-mitigation-via-debut-sls-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA Safety Panel call for crew risk mitigation via debut SLS mission"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASA\u2019s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) praised the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion programs for making \u201cconsiderable progress\u201d during their latest meeting, but called for managers to ensure the debut SLS flight \u2013 known as Exploration Mission -1 (EM-1) \u2013 is heavily aimed at risk mitigation, ahead of the first crewed mission.<\/p>\n

ASAP on SLS\/Orion:<\/p>\n

The ASAP met at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), under the chairmanship of Vice Admiral Joseph W. Dyer, USN (Ret.) \u2013 with the minutes of the meeting sent to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in June.<\/p>\n

The historically conservative body \u2013 known for raising flags on items such as Shuttle extension and elements of the commercial crew program \u2013 appear to be pleased with the opening development work on the Space Launch System, a program that is now into its first full year since being officially announced by NASA.<\/p>\n

The ASAP meeting notes cite an update they received from Mr. Daniel Dumbacher, Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems at the Exploration Systems Development (ESD) Program, relayed to the ASAP via panel member Mr. John Frost.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cMr. Frost observed that the program has made considerable progress; he summarized some of the accomplishments: Orion has completed acoustic and vibration testing; computer data flow has been exercised; and parachutes have been tested. First flight, using a Delta IV launcher, will occur in 2014. There have been many success stories and much activity,\u201d the associated presentation noted.<\/p>\n

A more valid update \u2013 per recent developments \u2013 was also cited, relating to the work conducted on SLS\u2019 core stage via the Design Analysis Cycle (DAC) within the Program \u2013 as outlined in a recent article on this site. However, the ASAP report only made a passing reference, noting \u201cthe SLS core will be the most interesting part of the system. The program has moved forward there also.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cMany new systems are being developed, and they will require the most attention,\u201d the overview continued. \u201cGround systems are also making good progress. \u201cThe launch complex at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is coming along nicely, and the mobile launcher is being modified.<\/p>\n

Space Technology<\/path>NASA educational resources<\/path>Space Shuttle models<\/path>\n

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\u201cThe ASAP will follow the ESD Program very closely over the years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

The vague, yet positive, overview then entered into discussions on the opening flight of SLS and Orion, known as the EM-1 test flight \u2013 claiming the mission warranted the Panel\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

EM-1 is an uncrewed Beyond-Earth Orbit (BEO) Demonstration flight, resulting in the debut of the Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV) in its 70mt Block 1 configuration. It is currently scheduled for December, 2017 \u2013 a date that continues to have a large amount of margin.<\/p>\n

\"\"For the mission, SLS would launch Orion into an high-apogee orbit of 975 nmi at the insertion point, before the kick stage\/ICPS (Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage) \u2013 a Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS) \u2013 would then conduct the Trans Lunar Injection (TLI) burn(s) to send Orion towards a date with the Moon.<\/p>\n

The seven to 10 day mission would come to a conclusion with Orion parachuting to a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, for what would be its second such return, following the Exploration Flight Test (EFT-1) demo in 2014.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe EM-1 flight is currently planned as an uncrewed flight to validate the integrated system in flight,\u201d noted the overview. \u201cThe ASAP has discussed the importance of such uncrewed flight to buy down risk and understand the integrated system\u2019s performance in the real environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

For previous SLS Articles, click here: http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/tag\/hlv\/<\/p>\n

As is now standard, the first flight of a human-rated vehicle are uncrewed missions, aimed at validating the system before taking the larger risk of placing humans on board.<\/p>\n

\"\"The most famous mission that broke that rule was STS-1. The 1981 debut mission of the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) saw John Young and Bob Crippen trust their lives to the flagship Columbia, an amazing feat of bravery, not least because the orbiter had no real launch abort system for the ascent, and only ejector seats \u2013 that may have killed the duo regardless \u2013 as their way to get off the orbiter during the ride uphill.<\/p>\n

Thankfully Columbia conducted her mission safely, earning the respect of her crew, as noted in thanks by Mr. Crippen in a highly emotional speech in memorial of her loss during the entry of the STS-107 mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor technical reasons, NASA did not do an uncrewed flight on the Shuttle Program,\u201d noted Mr Frost. \u201cNASA believed the Shuttle crew on the first flight represented substantial risk mitigation for the extended communications blackout during high-risk, hypersonic entry; however, NASA will probably not have a similar risk trade with ESD.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ASAP, however, do want to see NASA managers take full advantage of the EM-1 mission, to the point of treating it as a crewed mission \u2013 even if it requires slipping the mission past 2017.<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n