Scott A. Lockwood

Imagery Analysis Manager - Kennedy Space Center - NASA

or re-Action? Lights, Camera, Action…

What would we see if there wasn’t Imagery?

NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Imagery Analysis Facility

- General Overview of KSC’s IAF -

NASA’s KSC Imagery Analysis Facility

- Background -

So… who do we support?

Primarily –

NASA’s Space Shuttle Program!

- KSC Imagery Analysis Facility -

- KSC Imagery Analysis Facility -

- Constellation Program - Int’l Space Station Program- Expendable Launch Services (ex. Atlas, Delta, Sea-Launch)- Federal Bureau of Investigation - multiple Law Enforcement Agencies

IIIBoeing

…in addition:

NASA/SSP Engineering Groups: FIT Team, ET, SSME, SRB, ORB, Launch Accessories, MEQ, PYRO Systems, etc.

Specifically, who do we support?

- KSC Imagery Analysis work performed -

Space Shuttle Main Engines

The Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) were built and test-fired at Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The three SSME’s start T-6.6 seconds before Launch, one at a time just milliseconds apart prior to lift-off. Since 1981, upgrades to the original main engine design have more than tripled estimates of their safety.

The Main Propulsion Test Article (MPTA) at Stennis Space Center, fired a three-engine cluster attached to an

external tank and an Orbiter section to validate main propulsion performance

(1978-1981)

Why?

- KSC Imagery Analysis work performed -

But really, why?

- KSC Imagery Analysis work performed -

Lessons Learned due to limited or no Imagery capability

Opportunity for Lessons Learned from Past Space Mission scenarios:

1966

1985

1973

1970

1991

2001

2003

From an Analysis standpoint, the need for Imagery data easily extends beyond a “typical” Launch Day!

Even before a Launch may take place, Imagery

Analysis is heavily relied upon even during acts of

“Mother Nature”

(STS-117’s Hail damaged External Tank – Mar. 2007)

Through the Ascent phase of any given STS Mission (ex. taken shortly

after jettison of STS-112’s

External Tank)

Analyzing the performance of multiple Systems in Flight

Through the Landing phase of each Space Shuttle Mission

-- When a Project Manager must choose to come out of his/her comfort zone --

However, this is built upon many “hard decisions” that had to first be made

Case in point: Capturing (Still) Images• - Polaroid Cameras• - 35mm (still) Cameras• - 21mp Digital Cameras

Ex. Screening Films:• - Reviewing each Film’s frame by hand• - 16mm table top Projectors• - 35mm & 70mm Studio Projectors• - Ultra HD 4K Projection system

-- Technological advancements can provide relatively easy direction in the decision making process --

Case in Point: Midway through last year, a decision was passed down after the Launch of STS-124, all Launch Films would will be scanned on a

telecine (“digitized”) and delivered to Kennedy Space Center as QuBit files. As mandated, Prints/“Films” would also be provided, but for the last time.

What did this mean?

As of the following Mission (STS-125’s Hubble Mission), there will be… NO MORE FILMS PROVIDED!

-- But what if Specific Requirements are changing faster than your workplace or facility can support while currently

handling Mission Critical tasks? Change has to happen, something needs to be done! --

Present Viewing Capabilities:

• View High Definition Videos w/ Christie (1K) DLP Projector• View “digitized” 16mm Films w/ same Christie (1K) DLP projector• View 35mm Films with Kinoton (motion) Projector

Note:For the previous 2 mission, we had experimented w/ “digitized”16mm Films (telecine files)for Imagery Analysis purposes even though our existing Christie DLP projector is only 1024x1024 (1K).Note: must maintain the Kinoton projector for archival film viewing

Challenge / Solution:

•Objects/IFA’s cannot be observed/resolved on the Kennedy’s Christie (1K) DLP Projection System with the capability we currently have with the Kinoton 35mm Film projector. The existing Christie DLP requires clipping and/or down conversion in order to display digitized images.

•Due to new requirements, it is imperative to upgrade the Digital Projection system to support Ascent/Landing Imagery Analysis starting w/ STS-125 (now STS-126).

•Must be compatible with existing analysis lab upgrades.

•Searched out & found New 4K (4096 x 2160) Ultra High Definition D-ILA projector that meets these requirements and provides additional capability that can be utilized as digital technology expands.

• Research the Situation inside-out • Have ALL Financial aspects disclosed early on!• Plan for Redundancies, let me say that again… “Plan for

Redundancies!!”• Develop a “means-to-the-madness” plan with all personnel

that will be called upon to support --From: budgeting/procurement personnel, to Senior Management, to prospective contract venders, to Transportation staff, to Facility Representatives, etc.

• Don’t be afraid to call a “Time-out” if you see a disconnect coming about.

Keys to Successful Resolution:

Example movie clip:

ShuttleShuttle

- Selected backup information -

– Each Shuttle has 2.5 million parts, 230 miles of wire, 1500 circuit breakers and switches, and 27,000 insulated tiles and thermal blankets

– Liftoff weight is 4.5 million pounds, a total of 6.9 million pounds thrust consumes 3.5 million pounds of propellant in 8.5 minutes, and the landing weight can be up to 240,000 pounds

– Solid rocket motors burn 10 tons of fuel per second (Aluminum powder and ammonium perchlorate) to produce 2.9 million pounds of thrust each

– Main engines produce 23 times the power of Hoover Dam, consume 1000 gal/second (the equivalent of a swimming pool every 25 seconds); temperatures range from 6000 degrees F to minus 423 degrees F

– External Tank holds 143,000 gal LO2 & 385,000 gal LH2 (1.6 million lbs). A soft drink can, scaled up to the same size, would have a skin thicker than the ET (0.5 vs. 0.080 inches)

– 113 Shuttle flights have spent over 2.5 years in orbit, 15 passenger years– A Shuttle flight costs ~$500M; a minute of crew time costs ~$5000

- Space Shuttle Facts -

Shuttle ProcessingShuttle Processing

SPACE SHUTTLE GROUND OPERATIONS

On-Orbit Imagery AnalysisOn-Orbit Imagery Analysis

Thank you for your time.