Atlas V: Safe and Affordable Human Spaceflight

Paper number

IAC-06-D2.1.06

Author

Mr. Michael Holguin, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, United States

Year

2006

Abstract

The Atlas and Centaur Programs have enjoyed a rich history as a trusted vehicle for a large number of
NASA’s Space Exploration missions, including manned spaceflight programs. During that course of space
launch development, the Atlas Expendable Launch vehicle has matured well beyond the early days of
spaceflight. This paper addresses the attributes of the Atlas that makes it qualified to be an affordable launch vehicle for Human Rated launches for Space exploration and/or Space Tourism. 

The Atlas Human Rating approach involves a highly reliable, fault tolerant Atlas V launch vehicle with very disciplined processes to enable mission success. This reliability combined with launch vehicle health monitoring and crew situational awareness provides the ability to safely abort. Atlas Evolution uses a straightforward approach taking advantage of the maturity of the vehicle design, plus the enhancements identified to meet human rating requirements. The opportunity  now is to rely on that same successful, mature and disciplined evolutionary approach to enable a launch system that is safe enough to fly a human into space, achievable not only technically, but also within the visionary goals of Human Spaceflight. Moreover, the paper will explore the advantages of vehicle commonality with existing programs, with emphasis on demonstrated reliability and affordability that is gained from higher production and flight rates.

Abstract document

IAC-06-D2.1.06.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-D2.1.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.