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Abort Flight Test Project Overview

NASA (NTRS) · 2007

Open the PDFPublic domain · NASA (NTRS)Technical Reports

Overview

A general overview of the Orion abort flight test is presented. The contents include: 1) Abort Flight Test Project Overview; 2) DFRC Exploration Mission Directorate; 3) Abort Flight Test; 4) Flight Test Configurations; 5) Flight Test Vehicle Engineering Office; 6) DFRC FTA Scope; 7) Flight Test…

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10

Key points

  • The Abort Flight Test project is a multi-center, multi-agency initiative involving various NASA centers and contractors.
  • DFRC is responsible for flight test management, systems engineering, and the development of flight test instrumentation.
  • The project aims to execute successful abort flight tests with increasing complexity, including high altitude tests.
  • Key responsibilities of DFRC include assembly, integration, testing, and safety operations for the flight tests.
  • The project timeline includes multiple test flights scheduled from 2008 to 2011.
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of the Abort Flight Test project?

The purpose of the Abort Flight Test project is to increase the maturity of the Crew Module and Launch Abort System through a series of flight tests.

Which organizations are involved in the Abort Flight Test project?

The project involves a multi-agency team including JSC, DFRC, LaRC, GRC, WSTF, and contractors like Orbital Sciences Corp.

What are DFRC's main responsibilities in the project?

DFRC's main responsibilities include flight test management, systems engineering, assembly, integration, testing, and ensuring ground and range safety.

What types of tests are included in the Abort Flight Test project?

The project includes various tests such as Pad Abort and Ascent Abort tests, with configurations designed to handle increasing complexity.

What is the timeline for the Abort Flight Test project?

The project timeline spans from 2008 to 2011, with multiple test flights scheduled during this period.

Abort Flight Test Project Overview

RAF Cranwell Visit

May 2007

DFRC Exploration Mission Directorate

Mission Director: Joel Sitz Deputy: Vicki Regenie Program Planning & Control Projects Formulation

SE&I

Shuttle CEV Chute Tests

Support

Transition Abort Flight Test Support

Test and

TPS/Skip re-entry

Verification

Support

Lunar Lander West Coast Landing Recovery Shuttle Assets Integrated Transition Flight Test C3PO Support Strategy Ascent Abort PAD Abort Test and Flights Flights Verification Development

Abort Flight Test

L a R C D F R C G R C L M S M C W S T F / W S M R M S F C J S C K S C • 18 months since Abort Flight Test started • 17 months to Pad Abort 1 First Flight • Multi-center, multi-agency team Govt/Ctr team – JSC, DFRC, LaRC, GRC, WSTF, 3STS, & WSMR – LMSSC, Orbital Sciences Corp • DFRC Role: – Flight Test Mgmt and Systems Engineering – Abort Test Booster Acquisition – Flight Test Article Management/Engineering • Lead Developmental Flight Instrumentation • Avionics, Structures, GN&C • Test and Launch Operations/Facilities – Ground Systems, Range and Safety Support – Mission Monitoring, Data Reporting

Flight Test Configurations

~150ft ~150ft (AA-4) (AA-4) ~120ft ~120ft (AA-4) (AA-4) Ascent Abort Ascent Abort Pad Abort Pad Abort High Altitude Test at Low/Medium Low/Medium WSMR drives Altitude Altitude Launch Complex Cost - Taller Stack - Taller Gantry ATB configurations notional

Flight Test Vehicle Engineering Office

• Manage the project Mission and Flight Test Objectives

• Lead the engineering technical effort

• Manage integrated and detailed analysis

• Perform “ tiger-team ” analysis and allocate additional work, if required

DFRC FTA Scope

• Support FTA requirements development

• Developmental Flight Instrumentation

• Subsystem assembly, integration & test

• Flight test preparation and support

– Participate in system level tests, training, and control room activities

• Provide technical mission assurance

• Lead the Hazard Analysis Effort

• Lead the Working Group schedule efforts

Flight Test Operations

Execute Successful Abort Flight Tests - Multiple Configurations - Increasing Complexity - Designing to most complex case: High Altitude Test • DFRC Responsibilities: – Assembly, Integration, and Test – FTA Secondary Structure Design and Fabrication – Facilities Design and Fabrication – Transportation: Large Items: CM, LAS, and SepRing – Range Architecture – Ground and Range Safety – Ground Ops and Flight Ops Plans and Procedures – Flight Test Operations – Recovery Ops

DFRC Ops Support

• Mechanics • Machine Shop, Weld Shop, and – Secondary Structure Installation Sheetmetal Shop – Final CM Assembly – FTA Secondary Structures – Mechanical Stacking/Mating – FTA Modification and Repair Support – Transportation and Handling – DFRC MGSE Fabrication – Flight Support • Avionics Technicians • AGE Support – Avionics Installation – Ground Support Equipment Maintenance – Instrumentation Fabrication, Installation, Calibration and – Vehicle Maintenance Checkout – Critical Lift Certifications – Troubleshooting • Range Support – Systems Checks and Preflights – DFRC Range Systems Installation – Flight Support and Checkout – DFRC Data Collection and Processing

Launch Facilities

• Abort Flight Test Launch Facilities

– Pad Abort Launch Pad – Ascent Abort Launch Pad – Ascent Abort Gantry – Final Integration and Test Facility (FITF)

Pad

– Other Existing WSMR Facilities Supporting Abort Flight Test

Notional FITF

Gantry

Scope of Launch Abort Flight Test

Increasing Maturity of Crew Module and Launch Abort System CY 2009 CY 2009 CY 2010 CY 2010 CY 2011 CY 2011 CY 2008 CY 2008 CY 2012 CY 2012 J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M Launch - 9/08 Launch - 9/09 Launch - 9/09 Launch - 5/27/10 Launch - 5/27/10 Launch - 8/26/10 Launch - 8/26/10 Launch - 2/24/11 Launch - 9/08 Launch - 2/24/11 Launch Launch – – 9/15/11 9/15/11 AA-1 PA-1 PA-1 AA-1 PA-2 PA-2 AA-2 AA-2 AA-3 AA-3 AA-4 AA-4 ATB or Ares Option ATB or Ares Option

Inform the Design

Flight Certify the LAS

Gov ’ t Provided Test Article

Prime Provided Test Article

Integrate and Test at DFRC

Integrate and Test at KSC (O&C)

Launch at WSMR

Source & rights

Source: ntrs.nasa.gov. Public-domain U.S. Government work (17 USC §105) — freely reproducible.

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Document details

Doc number
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Publisher
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NASA (NTRS)
Year
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2007
Pages
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10
File size
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8.3 MB