Environmental Testing Program Considerations for Future Crewed Exploration Flight Vehicles

Paper number

IAC-08.D1.5.5

Author

Mr. Arthur W. Joslin, The Aerospace Corporation, United States

Coauthor

Dr. I-Shih Chang, The Aerospace Corporation, United States

Year

2008

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Purpose:  In this paper, considerations for launch vehicle environmental  testing programs for NASA’s next generation of crewed space launch vehicles, Ares and Orion, for Project Constellation are discussed.  The goals of Project Constellation are to return humans to the moon by 2020 and eventually to Mars. Missions to the International Space Station (ISS) are planned for as early as 2014.  This is a follow on paper to the paper that was presented at the 58th International Astronautical Congress in 2007. The first paper, IAC-07D1.5.05, discussed integrated testing programs for solid and liquid rocket propulsion systems. The purpose of this paper is to provide a list of lessons learned from previous environmental test programs for crewed and un-crewed launch vehicles and share that information in this new program development.
 Methodology: Lessons learned from other launch vehicle programs were extracted from the experiences of crewed and non-crewed launch vehicles during development, flight and qualification. For crewed missions the programs for STS, Apollo, Gemini and Mercury were considered. For un-crewed missions Titan, Delta, and Atlas launch vehicles were considered. A test outline organizes the types of environmental testing to be performed, such as, aerodynamic, static structural, structural dynamic, thermal and flight controls.  In each test area specific testing is analyzed to determine a thorough and efficient method for demonstrating flight readiness and the rationale for testing are indicated. The emphasis for this study was on testing for the Ares I and Orion vehicles, the crew launch vehicles, which will be the first of the vehicles to be developed.
Results:  Lessons learned from previous environmental test programs and launch vehicles designs are summarized. Examples drawn from actual flight anomalies that were attributable to flight environment issues are discussed, including their remediation. The study results will provide useful information for mitigating risks associated with the development and testing for future crewed and un-crewed launch programs
Conclusions: This study has been completed and a presentation package of 50 charts with substantive technical and programmatic content has been produced.  The material is original and will be updated for the IAC paper. The compilation of material for this paper from the different space programs makes the material new and original.  The paper has not been presented elsewhere, and financing the attendance of at least one author at the 59th IAC in Glasgow, Scotland to present the paper is assured.

Abstract document

IAC-08.D1.5.5.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.D1.5.5.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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