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Year 1 Annual Report – Volume 1

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COE CST YEAR 1 ANNUAL REPORT This report is produced by the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation in fulfillment of FAA Centers of Excellence program requirements.

This report is broken into three volumes:

Volume 1 gives a description of the FAA COE CST, its research, structure, member universities and research tasks.

Volume 2 is a comprehensive set of presentation charts of each research task as presented at the first Annual Technical Meeting in November 2011.

Volume 3 is a comprehensive set of notes from all FAA COE CST teleconferences and face-to-face meetings.

Any questions or comments about the content of this report should be directed to Mr. Ken Davidian, FAA COE CST Program Manager or Dr. Patricia Watts, FAA COE Program Director.

FAA Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation

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Table of Contents Introduction................................................................................................................................... 1

1.0 FAA COE Program Overview............................................................................................... 2

2.0 COE CST Overview................................................................................................................ 4 2.1 COE CST Year 1 Highlights .............................................................................................. 5 2.2 COE CST Member Universities ......................................................................................... 5 2.3 Research Structure and Tasks ............................................................................................. 7

3.0 Funding Details ..................................................................................................................... 10 3.1 Distribution Across Research Areas ................................................................................. 11 3.2 Distribution Across Member Universities ........................................................................ 11 3.3 Expenditures and Matching Funds.................................................................................... 12 3.4 Funded Students................................................................................................................ 14

4.0 COE CST Management Plan............................................................................................... 17 4.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................... 17 4.2 Overview........................................................................................................................... 18 4.2.4 Scope.............................................................................................................................. 19 4.3 AST COE Management Council ...................................................................................... 20 4.4 Planning Committee.......................................................................................................... 21 4.5 Coordinating Committee................................................................................................... 21

5.0 Details of Research Tasks..................................................................................................... 23 Task 181 — Medical and Physiological Database System..................................................... 23 Task 182 — Human System Risk Management Approach to CST........................................ 25 Task 183 — Spaceflight Crew Medical Standards And Participant Acceptance Criteria ...... 27 Task 184 — Human Rating Of Commercially Operated Spacecraft...................................... 29 Task 186 — Space Environment Modeling/Prediction – SU ................................................. 33 Task 186 — Space Environment Modeling/Prediction – CU................................................. 35 Task 187 — Space Situational Awareness Improvements ..................................................... 37 Task 193 — Role Of The COE CST In Encourage, Facilitate And Promote - SU ................ 41 Task 241 — High Temperature, Optical Sapphire Pressure Sensors For Hypersonic Vehicles

- FSU........................................................................................................................... 49 Task 244 — Autonomous Rendezvous And Docking For Space Debris Mitigation - CU .... 51 Task 244 — Autonomous Rendezvous And Docking For Space Debris Mitigation - SU..... 53 Task 244 — Autonomous Rendezvous And Docking For Space Debris Mitigation - UF..... 55 Task 244 — Autonomous Rendezvous And Docking For Space Debris Mitigation - FSU... 57 Task 247 — Air And Space Traffic Control Considerations For Commercial Space

Transportation ............................................................................................................. 59 Task 253 — Ultra High Temperature Composites For Thermal Protection Systems ............ 61 Task 255 — Wearable Biomedical Monitoring Equipment For Spaceflight Participants...... 63 Task 256 — Testing And Training In High-G Profiles .......................................................... 65 Task 257 — Masters Level Commercial Space Operations Instruction Criteria.................... 67 Task 258 — Multi-Disciplinary Analysis Of Launch Vehicle Safety Metrics....................... 69 Task 259 — Flight Software Validation And Verification For Safety................................... 71 Task 281 — Technical Oversight – CU.................................................................................. 73


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Task 282 — Technical Oversight – FIT ................................................................................. 75 Task 283 — Technical Oversight – FSU................................................................................ 77 Task 284 — COE CST Admin Lead Activities – NMSU ...................................................... 79 Task 286 — Technical Oversight – SU .................................................................................. 81 Task 287 — Technical Oversight – UCF ............................................................................... 83 Task 288 — Technical Oversight – UF .................................................................................. 85 Task 289 — Technical Oversight – UTMB............................................................................ 87

Appendix A. COE CST Legislation........................................................................................... 89


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Introduction In 1990, Congressional authority was given to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create a Center of Excellence (COE) program as an innovative way of executing research that helped meet the agency’s mission goals but also encouraged heavy involvement by industry to support the work by universities that were competitively selected to participate in this program. Since that time, the FAA has created nine COEs joining with more than 75 universities and their industry affiliates who share in the cost of conducting research while supporting related education, training and technology transfer activities. An overview of the FAA COE program is provided in section 1 of this report.

In August 2009, the FAA Administrator signed a memo agreeing to the creation of a COE for Commercial Space Transportation (CST) that would be supported at a minimum level of one million dollars per year for 10 years. Section 2 of this report briefly describes the milestones resulting from the August 2009 memo that created the COE CST.

In August 2010 the FAA announced the establishment of the COE CST and cooperative agreements were signed with the nine member universities in September, 2010. These member universities provided a comprehensive distribution of geographical coverage representing the entire Commercial Space Transportation industry. Combined, the nine universities bring over 50 other government, industry and academic organizations as research partners. Brief descriptions of the member universities are given in section 3 of this report.

The FAA distributed two million dollars among the COE CST member universities to fund research tasks during the initial years of operation. The structure of the COE CST research tasks is detailed in section 4.

Finally, the question of including non-US organizations in COE CST activities is frequently raised. Operational experience of the other FAA COEs provides precedent and lessons learned of how to include the valuable knowledge and resources from outside the US borders. Section 5 of this report addresses these experiences and opportunities.


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1.0 FAA COE Program Overview Legislative authority for the FAA Center of Excellence (COE) program was written into the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, Public Law 101-508, Title IX, Subtitle C, known as the ‘Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, and Development Authorization Act of 1990’. The language of the entire subtitle is provided in Appendix A, but the most pertinent language is provided below:

“(1) GENERAL AUTHORITY - The Administrator may make grants to one or more colleges or universities to establish and operate several regional centers of air transportation excellence, whose locations shall be geographically equitable.

“(2) RESPONSIBILITIES – The responsibilities of each regional center of air transportation excellence established under this subsection shall include, but not be limited to, the conduct of research concerning airspace and airport planning and design, airport capacity enhancement techniques, human performance in the air transportation environment, aviation safety and security, the supply of trained air transportation personnel including pilots and mechanics, and other aviation issues pertinent to developing and maintaining a safe and efficient air transportation system, and the interpretation, publication, and dissemination of the results of such research. In conducting such research, each center may contract with nonprofit research organizations and other appropriate persons.”

The COE program allows for unique funding arrangements including (i) research grants for public purpose that require matching funds to establish, operate and conduct the research for the COE as mandated by Congress, (ii) cost-share contracts for FAA purpose that may be awarded following a competitive process as authorized by the White House Reinvention Lab, (iii) funding that may be received from any public or private source, (iv) direct awards to each of the COE core members from the FAA. Centers may also contract with others as appropriate.

Benefits of the COE program are to:

Promote academic, government and industry scientific networks prepared to enhance the safety, security and efficiency of the national airspace system.

Augment government resources and leverage funds through flexible and responsive public/private partnerships that provide matching contributions to further support initial grant awards.

Educate and train a pool of professionals for the next generation, expand the US math and science pipeline, and facilitate aerospace recruitment opportunities.

Provide a formal strategy and trusted structure to coordinate a national research agenda and related education, and training.

Advance US technology and expertise while satisfying Congressional mandate.

Congress requires that the FAA achieve a geographic equity in the distribution of funds and location of Centers. The FAA must also consider minority and special groups. In conducting COE research and related activities, member universities must agree to match FAA grant funds (dollar-for-dollar) from non-federal sources and interpret, publish and disseminate research results. These contributions have generated more than $400M in matching funds that have been critical in enhancing the capabilities of the FAA COEs within individual spheres of expertise and throughout each field of critical aviation technology.


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By working in a collaborative way, the FAA can strategically focus and coordinate a national research agenda with specialized public/private partners for a nominal term of ten years. The government is able to avoid duplication of effort through a tested business strategy and trusted structure, augment resources with the best and brightest minds throughout the US, leverage scarce government funds, and educate and train a pool of professionals for the next generation.

Each COE is expected to have industry partners to provide guidance on Industry Advisory Boards or Steering Committees, to provide matching funds or in-kind contributions in the form of scientists, facilities, equipment, hosting meetings or contributing in other ways in accordance with guidance from the Office of Management and Budget. These contributions also encourage faculty and students to focus on issues that are significant to the industry as a whole. By forming multi-funded, multi-disciplinary teams, the FAA expects the approach to each project to employ a unique combination of skill sets and the results to be innovative.

The FAA encourages COEs to conduct annual meetings to achieve the following:

Opportunities for students to highlight their work and engage in technical discussions with leaders in the field, and seek career opportunities.

A forum for senior scientists for disseminating research results, coordinating efforts, and fielding new research ideas amongst peers.

A venue for government, industry and university members to engage in discourse to enhance and expand partnership opportunities, generate matching funds, and review research direction and progress across organizational lines.

Eight other COEs have been established by the FAA that pre-date the COE CST, including:

The Joint Center for Computational Modeling of Aircraft Structures, operated from 1992 to 1996.

The Center of Excellence for Airport Technology (CEAT), established in 1995 (cee.uiuc.edu/research/CEAT).

National COE for Aviation Operations Research (NEXTOR), operated from 1996 to 2007 (www.nextor.org).

Airworthy Assurance COE (AACE), operated from 1997 to 2007 (www.coe.faa.gov/aace). COE for General Aviation Research (CGAR), established in 2001 (www.cgar.org). Partnership for Aircraft Noise & Aviation Emissions Mitigation Research (PARTNER),

established in 2003 in partnership with NASA and Transport Canada (www.partner.aero). Joint Center for Advanced Materials (JAMS), established in 2003

(www.niar.twsu.edu/coe/cecam.asp and depts.washington.edu/amtas ). Airliner Cabin Environment Research (ACER) Center, also called the COE for Research in the

Intermodal Transport Environment (RITE), established in 2004 (acer.eng.auburn.edu).

More information about the FAA COE program, including its history, the current list of centers and their member universities, etc., can be found on the FAA COE website (www.faa.gov/go/coe) or the official COE CST website (www.coe-cst.org).


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2.0 COE CST Overview Following two public meetings and a competitive process, creation of the COE CST culminated in the execution of cooperative agreements with each of the nine member universities. A brief history of the COE CST origin is given below.

On August 18, 2009, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt signed a memo to create the COE CST with the goal of helping the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) execute its dual mission through a dedicated university research program. The COE CST is a partnership of academia, industry, and government that is established to create a world-class consortium that will address current and future challenges for commercial space transportation. As is customary of all COEs, this announcement represented a ten-year minimum annual funding commitment of one million dollars.

The FAA released a draft solicitation for the COE CST on December 15, 2009 and held two public meetings in February 2010 before issuing the final solicitation soon afterwards in March.

The FAA COE Program Director and the Office of Commercial Space Transportation hosted the first public meeting in Washington, DC on February 9, 2010, the day before the start of the 13th Annual FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference. Unfortunately, record-breaking snowfalls blanketed the DC area on February 5-6, the weekend before, and there was a threat (that ultimately did materialize) of a second storm scheduled to hit on February 9-10. Despite attendance nearing one hundred, the inclement weather impeded the turnout of some who had intended to attend so the FAA scheduled a second public meeting later the same month, on February 25, with the hope that the weather conditions would not be so extreme.

In both meetings, presentations about the FAA, AST, COEs, and the COE CST were given. FAA answered questions and accepted comments and suggestions on the draft solicitation from the audience.

As stated in Public Law 101-508, institutions being considered for selection as a COE are required to demonstrate in their proposal the ability to meet the following criteria:

The extent to which the needs of the State in which the applicant is located are representative of the needs of the region for improved air transportation services and facilities.

The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the applicant to carry out this section.

The ability of the applicant to provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range and immediate air transportation problems.

The extent to which the applicant has an established air transportation program. The demonstrated ability of the applicant to disseminate results of air transportation research and educational programs through a statewide or region wide continuing education program. The projects the applicant proposes to carry out under the grant.

FAA released the final version of the COE CST solicitation on March 15, 2010 and final proposals were due on April 30, six weeks later.

The proposals received were reviewed and evaluated on a competitive basis by a panel of subject matter experts and management officials in accordance with the solicitation. Each proposal was evaluated to determine the extent to which institutions, team members and affiliates were able to


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provide a quality environment for commercial space transportation research and to determine the extent to which each proposal met the selection criteria established by Congress.

Following the evaluations, a final report was provided to the FAA Administrator on August 5, 2010. On Wednesday, August 18, the FAA announced the establishment of the COE CST and cooperative agreements were signed with the nine member universities in September, 2010. Subsequently, the FAA has distributed two million dollars to conduct the initial set of research tasks within the newly created center.

The next two sections of this report give brief descriptions of the COE CST member universities and describe the four research areas they will be pursuing.

2.1 COE CST Year 1 Highlights

The following are the major milestones for the FAA COE CST during its first year of operation:

COE CST Public Announcement Date: August 18, 2010 Execution Dates of Cooperative Agreements: September 15, 2010. Meeting #1: Oct 21, 2010, held in Las Cruces, NM. Meeting #2: Nov 9-10, 2010, hosted by UTMB in Galveston, TX. Meeting #3: Feb 9, 2011, held in conjunction with the AST Conference in Washington, DC. Meeting #4: Nov 8-9, 2011, the First Annual Technical Meeting held in Boulder, CO.

2.2 COE CST Member Universities

This section provides an introduction to the nine COE CST member universities. The member universities are (in alphabetical order):

Florida Institute of Technology Florida State University New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology New Mexico State University Stanford University University of Central Florida University of Colorado at Boulder University of Florida University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

In addition to their research capabilities, the set of team members provided a comprehensive geographical distribution of representing a majority of the CST industry. Through secondary associations, these nine universities also create a network of research partners consisting of greater than 50 other government, industry and academic organizations. Figure 1 shows the location of each COE CST member university.

The member universities (in alphabetical order) and the capabilities they bring to the COE CST are listed below.

Florida Institute of Technology (FIT)

FIT offers broad expertise in aerospace and space-related engineering, science, space traffic management and launch operations, vehicle and payload analysis and design, thermal systems and propulsion. More information about FIT can be found on their website (www.fit.edu).


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Florida State University (FSU)

FSU brings a range expertise and unique infrastructure in many areas relevant to the COE CST, including but not limited to: cryogenics, thermal management, vehicle aerodynamics and controls, sensors, actuators and system health monitoring and high performance simulations. More information about FSU can be found on their website (www.fsu.edu).

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT)

NMT is a science, math and engineering university with a focus on applied research. Major research facilities include a rocket engine test fixture at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center, and a 2.4M fast tracking telescope at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory dedicated to the study of near earth objects. More information about NMT can be found on their website (www.nmt.edu).

New Mexico State University (NMSU)

NMSU and its Physical Sciences Laboratory have led space and aerospace research in areas of suborbital investigations from the time of Werner Von Braun to the current era of commercial sub-orbital space transportation with Virgin Galactic. The 21st century space and aerospace research focus encompasses annual access to space for student and faculty experiments, unmanned aerial vehicles, scientific ballooning and nano-satellite development. More information about NMSU can be found on their website (www.nmsu.edu).

University of Central Florida (UCF)

UCF, as partners of Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP) and the Center for Advanced Turbines & Energy Research (CATER), offers its experience and expertise in thermal protection system, propulsion system components, cryogenic systems and materials, composites, sensors and actuators, and guidance and control. More information about UCF can be found on their website (www.ucf.edu).


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University of Colorado at Boulder (CU)

CU offers the COE CST their experience in spacecraft life support systems and habitat design, human factors engineering analysis, payload experiment integration, and expertise in space environment and orbital mechanics. More information about CU can be found on their website (www.colorado.edu).

University of Florida (UF)

UF has been performing aeronautical and aerospace research since 1941, with current emphasis in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering on research in space systems, micro-electronic mechanical systems, computational sciences, structural dynamics, controls, gas dynamics, and propulsion. More information about UF can be found on their website (www.ufl.edu).

Stanford University (SU)

SU brings a 50 year history of aerospace research excellence and a broad scope of expertise to the COE CST, including the optimization and autonomous operation of complex systems, strategic research planning, organizational integration and distributed administration experience. More information about SU can be found on their website (www.stanford.edu).

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB)

UTMB has a long history of medical support and human spaceflight physiological research with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This is complemented by more recent involvement in the commercial orbital and suborbital spaceflight industry supporting space flight participant visits to the ISS and preparation of passengers and crew for suborbital space flights. More information about UTMB can be found on their website (www.utmb.edu).

When viewed as a single entity, the nine member universities bring complementary strengths together for the benefit of the overall COE. FAA finds that each team member provides highly respected and accomplished experiences that directly address the research and study needs of the commercial space transportation industry. The FAA encourages the COE CST member universities to cooperate and collaborate as a single team with the purpose of conducting world-class research in support of the commercial space transportation industry.

2.3 Research Structure and Tasks

This section provides a brief description of the structure of the FAA AST research activity areas. The full-range of research areas that support the FAA AST mission goals fall into four main research areas and those are then broken into multiple sub-areas, as shown in the figure to the right.

1.1 Orbital

1.3 NAS Integration

1. Space Traffic Management & Operations

2.2 Vehicle Safety Analyses

2.3 Vehicle Safety Systems & Techs

2.5 Vehicle Ops Safety

2.4 Payload Safety

3. Human Spaceflight

3.1 Aerospace Phys & Medicine

3.3 ECLSS

3.4 Habitability & Human Factors

3.5 Human Rating

4.1 Markets

4.2 Policy

4.4 Regulation

4.3 Law

2.1 Ground System & Ops Safety Techs

1.4 Spaceport Operations

1.2 Suborbital

1.5 Integrated Air/Space Traffic Management

4. Space Transportation Industry Viability

2. Space Transportation Ops, Technologies & Payloads

3.2 Personnel Training

4.5 Cross-Cutting Topics


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2.3.1 Research Structure

A narrative descriptions of each of the research areas shown in the figure above are given below.

Space Traffic Management and Launch Operations

The goal of this research area is “Improved Space Traffic Management”, to effectively answer those topics related to the development and optimization of technical and regulatory provisions and processes used to oversee, coordinate, regulate, and promote safe and responsible space all activities between space and Earth (including access to, operations in and return from space to Earth) to avoid physical and/or electromagnetic interference.

It also includes the operational and safety-related design criteria of spaceports, launch and reentry vehicles, and resident space objects, air and space traffic integration, space situational awareness (currently not within AST authority, but listed for the sake of completeness), ground support operations, and other issues which may impact the safe operation of launch, reentry, or on-orbit operations.

Space Transportation Operations, Technologies and Payloads

The goal of this research area is “Improved Vehicle Safety and Risk Management” including knowledge of all safety-critical components and systems of the space vehicles and their operations, so as to better identify potential hazards and to better identify, apply and verify hazard controls.

This research area encompasses all the engineering, operations, management and safety areas of study related to expendable and reusable launch vehicles, their systems and payloads.

Specific discipline areas of research include but are not limited to: ground systems and operations safety technologies, vehicle safety analyses, vehicle safety systems and technologies, payload safety, and vehicle operations safety.

Human Spaceflight

The goal of this research area is “Ensured Human Safety” of those onboard during space vehicle or spaceport operations.

This research area provides opportunities for research in the areas of aerospace physiology & medicine, personnel training, environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS), habitability and human factors, and human rating of commercial spacecraft.

Research in these areas can provide critical information needed to allow the ordinary citizen, i.e., that person without the benefit of the physical, physiological and psychological training and exposure to the space environment that the traditional astronaut has, to travel to space safely, to withstand the extremes of the space environment and to readjust normally after returning to Earth.

Space Transportation Industry Viability

The goal of this research area is “Increased Industry Viability” including economic, legal, legislative, regulatory, and market analysis and modeling.

This research area encompasses all the subcategories of space transportation, including market, policy, international, legal, regulatory and all cross-cutting topics.


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Research in these areas will include but not be limited to: a focus on developing innovative and practical commercial uses of space, innovative business and marketing strategies for companies involved in commercial launch operations and related components and services, support of the US commercial space transportation industry’s international perspective and competitiveness, and developing innovative financing for commercial launch activities.

Specific COE CST research tasks are defined, evaluated and supported on an ongoing basis throughout the life of the COE CST. Descriptions for current research tasks can be found on the COE CST web site (www.coe-cst.org).

2.3.2 Research Tasks

During the first year of operation the COE CST funding was distributed to the following number of tasks, PIs and students:

Number of Research Tasks: 27 Number of Administrative/Technical Oversight Tasks: 7 Number of Principal Investigators: 26 Number of Students: 29

The PIs who were funded during the first year of operation are listed below:

Juan Alonso, Stanford Farrukh Alvi, FSU Linan An, UCF Penina Axelrad, CU George Born, CU Sigrid Close, SU Sam Durrance, FIT Norm Fitz-Coy, UF

Jeff Forbes, Stanford Tim Fuller-Rowell, CU Jihua Gou, UCF Pat Hanrahan, Stanford Scott Hubbard, Stanford Pat Hynes, NMSU Richard Jennings, UTMB Jay Kapat, UCF

Dan Kirk, FIT Dave Klaus, CU William Oates, FSU Steve Rock, Stanford Daniel Scheeres, CU Mark Sheplak, UF Jim Vanderploeg, UTMB Nat Villaire, FIT Andrei Zagrai, NMT

List of Partners

The following table is a list of partners that provide technical expertise and/or matching funds.

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics – Eleanor Aldrich and Craig Day

Ball Aerospace, Kevin Miller Cimmaron Software Services Inc – Gary

Chambers and Justin West CSSI Inc – Herb Bachner Dynetics, Inc. – Barry King FAA-CAMI – Dr. Melchor Antunano, MD Jacobs Technology, Inc. – Mark Lefeste Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company –

Scott Norris NASA JSC – Mark Weyland

NASTAR Center – Brienna Henwood Penn State University – George Lesleutre Qinetiq – James Stanley Spaceport America Consultants – Jim

Hayhoe Space Florida – Tony Gannon Space Works Enterprises – Carl Ehrlich Spaceworks – Dominic Depasquale The Tauri Group – Paul Guthrie Webster University – William Hoffman Wyle – Christine Smith XCOR Aerospace, Inc. – Andrew Nelson


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3.0 Funding Details FAA Funding Level for FY10 was $2,000,000 and $1,811,911 was distributed during the first year of operation on the following R&D tasks.

Rec # Task Title R

srch

A

rea

PI Name Univ. CA

Mod Grant

Amount 184 Human Rating of Commercial Spacecraft 3.4 Klaus CU 7 $79,542 186 Space Env MMOD Modeling & Prediction 1.1 Fuller-Rowell CU 6 $40,000 187 Space Situational Awareness 1.1 Scheeres CU 4 $76,906 193 Role of COE CST in EFP 4.1 Born CU 2&8 $26,644 244 Autonomous RDV & Docking 2.2 Axelrad CU 9 $17,000 257 Master’s Launch & On-Orbit Ops Lab 1.2 Born CU 3 $25,024 247 Air & Space Traffic for CST 1.1 Villaire FIT 2 $89,486 241 High Temp Pressure Transducers 2.2 Oates FSU 4 $41,310 244 Autonomous RDV & Docking 2.2 Collins FSU 3 $24,830 220 Space Operational Framework 1.2 Hynes NMSU 2 $74,127 228 Magneto-Elastic Sensing for SHM 2.2 Zagrai, Ostergren NMT 2 $75,000 185 Unified 4D Trajectory 1.1 Alonso SU 5 $60,000 186 Space Env MMOD Modeling & Prediction 1.1 Close SU 3 $49,272 193 Role of COE CST in EFP 4.1 Hubbard SU 2,10 $95,038 244 Autonomous RDV & Docking 2.2 Rock SU 4 $40,000 258 Multi-disc Analysis of Safety Metrics 2.1 Alonso SU 8 $50,000 259 Flight Software V&V for Safety 2.2 Alonso SU 6 $5,110 253 Ultra High Temp Composites 2.2 Gou, Kapat UCF 2 $89,090 241 High Temp Pressure Transducers 2.2 Sheplak UF 3 $50,000 244 Autonomous RDV & Docking 2.2 Fitz-Coy UF 2 $30,000 181 Physiological DB Definition and Design 3.1 Vanderploeg UTMB 7&8 $45,836 182 Commercial Suborbital & Orbital DRMs 3.1 Vanderploeg UTMB 3 $25,190 183 Crew & HSP Medical Standards etc. 3.1 Jennings UTMB 4 $33,284 255 Wearable Biomedical Monitoring Equip 3.1 Jennings UTMB 5&9 $93,921 256 Additional NASTAR Centrifuge Testing 3.5 Vanderploeg UTMB 6&10 $63,921

Subtotal of All Research Tasks $1,300,531 281 Technical Oversight Klaus CU 5,14 $34,884 282 Technical Oversight Durrance FIT 3 $19,988 283 Technical Oversight Alvi FSU 2,5 $33,860 284 Administrative Lead Hynes NMSU 3 $253,890 286 Technical Oversight Hubbard SU 7&11 $100,000 287 Technical Oversight Kapat UCF 3 $10,910 288 Technical Oversight Cattafesta, Ukeiley UF 4 $20,000 289 Technical Oversight Vanderploeg UTMB 2&11 $37,848

Subtotal of All Technical Oversight Tasks $511,380

TOTAL OF ALL TASKS APPROVED BY FAA AST $1,811,911


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3.1 Distribution Across Research Areas

The funding distribution across the four research areas during the first year of operation is shown in the figure below.

3.2 Distribution Across Member Universities

The funding distribution across the nine member universities during the first year of operation is shown in the figure below.

Organization FundingCU $300,000.00FIT $109,474.00FSU $100,000.00

NMSU $328,017.00NMT $75,000.00SU $399,420.00

UCF $100,000.00UF $100,000.00

UTMB $300,000.00Total $1,811,911.00

UTMB17% CU

17%

FIT6%

FSU6%

NMSU17%NMT

4%

SU21%

UCF6%

UF6%

CU

FIT

FSU

NMSU

NMT

SU

UCF

UF

UTMB


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3.3 Expenditures and Matching Funds

The following Chart displays the expenditures by fiscal year quarter. The green bar displays the projected FAA expense. The OMIS calculates the projected expense by taking the amounts funded and divides the sum over the four quarters. In the first year some anomalies occur as project dates are varied during the start up period. As indicated below, the bar chart begins to even out as the projects begin to progress.

The Cumulative Expenditures by Quarter chart is similar to the bar chart above and is displayed in a line format


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The below table shows the projected expense by quarter and the actual expense by quarter.

The Match Profile pie chart (below left) is the sum of cash match over the sum of in-kind match. During the start up period of the first year of the COE, no in-kind support was recorded, therefore the cash match displays at 100%.

The COE Match vs. FAA Expenditures displays the percentage of combined matching funds (cash and in-kind) over the FAA expense. Tasks funded under the FAA Grant require a 100% match. The match requirement is spread out over the first five years of the COE. Each university partner can combine the total FAA funding with their matching funds to comply with the matching requirements from the FAA.

This chart(above right) shows that for the first year, the COE has met 13.38% of the 100% match. While this is expected, the matching requirement will have to be emphasized more in Year 2.

This table below shows the actual cash match and in-kind match.


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Expenditure and match data for each task is provided with the individual project data later in this report.

3.4 Funded Students

Distribution of students by university and degree are shown in the below table.


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Organization Degree Gender Citizenship Country Of Residence EthnicityFlorida Institute of Technology Masters Male US Citizen USA African American, not of Hispanic OriginFlorida Institute of Technology Masters Female US Citizen USA White American, not of Hispanic OriginFlorida State University Ph.D. Male US Citizen White American, not of Hispanic OriginFlorida State University Bachelors Male Foreign Resident India Asian AmericanNew Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Masters Male US Citizen USA White American, not of Hispanic OriginNew Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Bachelors Female US Citizen USA Hispanic AmericanNew Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Masters Male US Citizen White American, not of Hispanic OriginNew Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Masters Male US Citizen USA White American, not of Hispanic OriginStanford University Ph.D. Male US Citizen White American, not of Hispanic OriginStanford University Ph.D. Male Foreign Resident Canada Asian AmericanStanford University Ph.D. Male US Citizen Hispanic AmericanStanford University Ph.D. Male Foreign Resident Canada White American, not of Hispanic OriginStanford University Ph.D. Male US Citizen White American, not of Hispanic OriginUniversity of Central Florida Masters Female US Citizen White American, not of Hispanic OriginUniversity of Central Florida Bachelors Male US Citizen USA White American, not of Hispanic OriginUniversity of Central Florida Ph.D. Female Foreign Resident P. R. China Asian AmericanUniversity of Central Florida Ph.D. Male Foreign Resident P.R. China Asian AmericanUniversity of Colorado Ph.D. Female US Citizen U.S. White American, not of Hispanic OriginUniversity of Colorado Ph.D. Female US Citizen Asian AmericanUniversity of Colorado Ph.D. Male Foreign Resident United States Asian AmericanUniversity of Colorado at Boulder Ph.D. Male US Citizen White American, not of Hispanic OriginUniversity of Colorado at Boulder Ph.D. Female US Citizen White American, not of Hispanic OriginUniversity of Florida Ph.D. Male US Citizen USA White American, not of Hispanic OriginUTMB M.D. Female US Citizen USA White American, not of Hispanic OriginUTMB M.D. Female US Citizen USA Asian AmericanUTMB M.D. Female US Citizen USA White American, not of Hispanic OriginUTMB M.D. Male US Citizen USA White American, not of Hispanic OriginUTMB M.D. Male US Citizen USA Asian AmericanUTMB M.D. Male US Citizen USA White American, not of Hispanic Origin


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4.0 COE CST Management Plan

4.1 Introduction

Background

In August 2009, the FAA Administrator signed a memo agreeing to the creation of a Center of Excellence (COE) for Commercial Space Transportation (CST) that would be supported at a minimum level of one million dollars per year for 10 years.

Following two public meetings conducted in February 2010, a competitive process was conducted over the following four months to solicit and then evaluate proposals for the COE CST.

A public announcement was made in August 2010 that two of the proposing teams (one led by Stanford University, SU, and one led by New Mexico State University, NMSU) had been selected to be combined into a single COE CST. NMSU was selected and named the Administrative Lead of the COE. Cooperative Agreements (CAs) were executed with all the COE CST member universities in September, 2010, and the FAA distributed two million dollars to the COE CST university members.

Through this Management Plan, the FAA encourages the COE CST member universities to cooperate and collaborate as a single COE team with the purpose of conducting world-class research in support of the Commercial Space Transportation industry. The member universities are (in alphabetical order):

Florida Institute of Technology (FIT, or Florida Tech) Florida State University (FSU) New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, (NMT, or New Mexico Tech) New Mexico State University (NMSU) Stanford University (SU) University of Central Florida (UCF) University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) University of Florida (UF) University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB)

When viewed as a single entity, the nine member universities bring complementary strengths together for the benefit of the overall COE. FAA finds that each team member provides highly respected and accomplished experiences that directly address the research and study needs of the commercial space industry.

FIT description was not received in time for release of this version of the document and will be included in subsequent versions.

FSU brings a range expertise and unique infrastructure in many areas relevant to the COE CST, including but not limited to: cryogenics, thermal management, vehicle aerodynamics and controls, sensors, actuators and system health monitoring and high performance simulations.

NMT is a science, math and engineering university with a focus on applied research. Major research facilities include a rocket engine test fixture at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center, and a 2.4M fast tracking telescope at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory dedicated to the study of near earth objects.


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NMSU and its Physical Sciences Laboratory have led space and aerospace research in areas of suborbital investigations from the time of Werner Von Braun to the current era of commercial sub-orbital space transportation with Virgin Galactic. The 21st Century Space and Aerospace research focus encompasses annual access to space for student and faculty experiments, unmanned aerial vehicles, scientific ballooning and nano-satellite development.

SU brings a 50 year history of aerospace research excellence and a broad scope of expertise to the COE CST, including the optimization and autonomous operation of complex systems, strategic research planning, organizational integration and distributed administration experience.

UCF, as partners of Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP) and the Center for Advanced Turbines & Energy Research (CATER), offers its experience and expertise in thermal protection system, propulsion system components, cryogenic systems and materials, composites, sensors and actuators, and guidance and control.

CU offers the COE CST their experience in spacecraft life support systems and habitat design, human factors engineering analysis, payload experiment integration, and expertise in space environment and orbital mechanics.

UF has been performing aeronautical and aerospace research since 1941, with current emphasis in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering on research in space systems, MEMS, computational sciences, structural dynamics, controls, gas dynamics, and propulsion.

UTMB has a long history of medical support and human spaceflight physiological research with NASA. This is complemented by more recent involvement in the commercial orbital and suborbital spaceflight industry supporting space flight participant visits to the ISS and preparation of passengers and crew for suborbital space flights.

Additionally, the team members provided a comprehensive distribution of geographical coverage representing the entire Commercial Space Transportation industry. Combined, the nine universities bring over 50 other government, industry and academic organizations as research partners.

4.2 Overview

4.2.1 Key FAA Personnel

In this document, the following position titles are used. As of the distribution date of this document, the individuals named below hold each of these positions:

Dr. Patricia Watts, FAA Center of Excellence (COE) Program Director. Mr. Jim Duffy, AST Director of Strategic Planning. Mr. Mike Kelly, AST Chief Engineer. Mr. Ken Davidian, AST Director of Research and COE CST Program Manager.

4.2.2 Purpose

The purpose of the AST COE Management Plan is to define the relationships, roles, goals and membership of the COE CST organizational entities and AST.

4.2.3 Organizational Context

As shown in the figure below, the R&D Coordination and COE are programs within the following organizational hierarchy:


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Office of Commercial Space Transportation Associate Administrator. Chief Engineer. Director of Research and COE Program Manager.

Also shown in the figure below, COE CST member universities interface with both R&D Coordination and COE programs. Specifically, the research task proposal and selection process, including all competition sensitive information submitted by member universities, is coordinated by the FAA AST through the R&D Coordination program (in coordination with AST entities such as the R&D Advisory Board and the Senior Steering Committee, not shown in the figure below). All other activities of the COE CST member universities, including inter-team planning, coordination and interactions, fall within the COE program.

4.2.4 Scope

The Center of Excellence (COE) is comprised of the AST COE Management Council (ACMC) and two committees (Planning and Coordinating) as shown below.

This Management Plan defines the relationships, roles, goals and membership of these three entities. General statements of each are given below:

The AST COE Management Council (ACMC) is responsible for providing COE CST oversight and guidance based on recommendations from the Planning Committee. Details of the ACMC are given in section 1 of this document.


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The Planning Committee is responsible for strategic planning and coordination of COE CST activities and governance; coordination of organizational integration, including interactions with all external entities; making recommendations to the ACMC regarding COE CST opportunities and issues. More details of this committee are given in section 2.

The Coordinating Committee is responsible for overall implementation of COE CST administrative operations; educational and public outreach activities; other functions as needed. More details of these functions are given in section 3.

Administrative activities of the COE CST member universities are defined in COE CST Cooperative Agreements. For activities not specified in the COE CST Cooperative Agreements, member universities are at liberty to conduct business as agreed upon among them and by the Coordinating Committee through a consensus-driven decision-making process.

Complementary to the functions performed by the ACMC and its two committees, COE CST appraisal review and audits will be performed by the FAA COE Program Office in accordance with terms of the COE Policy Guide.

4.3 AST COE Management Council

AST will create an organizational entity called the “AST COE Management Council” (ACMC). The functions and membership of the ACMC are described below.

4.3.1 Functions

The ACMC provides official FAA AST oversight and guidance to its two committees and is responsible for making decisions based on their recommendations. The two ACMC committees are:

The Planning Committee (details of this committee are provided in section 2). The Coordinating Committee (details of this committee are provided in section 3).

4.3.2 Membership

Permanent membership of the ACMC includes the following individuals:

Mr. Mike Kelly, AST Chief Engineer. Mr. Kelly is the ACMC Chair. Mr. Jim Duffy, AST Director of Strategic Planning.


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Mr. Ken Davidian, AST Director of Research.

4.4 Planning Committee

4.4.1 Functions and Goals

The Planning Committee is responsible for the strategic planning and direction of the COE CST, including:

Strategic planning of COE CST activities, with the goal of better positioning the COE CST with respect to the FAA, the commercial space transportation industry, and other Centers of Excellence.

Coordination of COE CST governance, to align the COE CST day-to-day operations with the long-range strategic planning.

Coordination of organizational integration with internal and external entities, with the goal of maximizing collaboration between the COE CST member universities and with external university and industry members.

Recommendation of opportunity and issue resolution, with the goal of ensuring efficient operation during the normal course of COE CST activities.

4.4.2 Membership

Permanent members of the Planning Committee include:

Mr. Ken Davidian. Mr. Davidian is the Planning Committee Chair. Ms. Patricia Hynes, Ph.D., of NMSU. Mr. Scott Hubbard of SU.

Input from the COE CST member universities is nominally collected and delivered to the Planning Committee by the Coordinating Committee, but individual avenues of communication can be used as circumstances require.

Temporary members may be invited to the Planning Committee for a single meeting, some number of fixed meetings, or for an indefinite term as agreed upon by the Planning Committee permanent members.

4.4.3 Schedule

The Planning Committee will meet periodically (but no less than four times per year), preferably in person, but by teleconference if necessary.

The agenda of these meetings will be determined by the Planning Committee Chair in consensus with the committee membership and distributed in advance of each meeting by the committee chair.

The committee chair will also be responsible for taking minutes of each Planning Committee meeting and distributing the minutes for acceptance at the subsequent meeting.

4.5 Coordinating Committee

4.5.1 Functions and Goals

The Coordinating Committee is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the COE CST. The primary responsibilities of this committee include the definition and execution of the following functions:


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Designing, planning, coordinating and executing internal administrative functions (including planning and coordination of meetings and the dissemination of COE CST publications and information) with the minimal goal of fulfilling the terms of the COE CST Cooperative Agreements.

Education and public outreach activities, including web site development and creation and publication of the COE CST Journal with the goal of meeting COE program goals above the minimal terms of the COE CST Cooperative Agreements.

Other functions as deemed appropriate by the ACMC and as agreed upon by the Coordinating Committee Chair and the COE CST member universities.

4.5.2 Membership

Permanent members of the Coordinating Committee include:

Ms. Patricia Hynes, Ph.D., of NMSU. Dr. Hynes is the Coordinating Committee Chair. Representatives from the COE CST member universities.

Temporary participation in the activities of this committee by other individuals may be included on an “as needed” basis as determined by the Coordinating Committee Chair.

4.5.3 Schedule

The Coordinating Committee will meet periodically as needed as determined by the Chair and its membership.


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5.0 Details of Research Tasks The following is a detailed description of all the FAA COE CST research tasks conducted during the first year of operation.

Task 181 — Medical and Physiological Database System

Project Description

PURPOSE: This is a highly significant project in that the developing industry of commercial space tourism will soon involve hundreds to thousands of individuals. These individuals will cover a wide range of ages and medical conditions about which we have very limited information.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this project are to identify appropriate data elements about the health and physiologic status of commercial space flight participants (SFPs), and to recommend a scalable design for a database system to store this data.

GOALS: Enable safe space flight for a wide range of individuals with a variety of existing medical problems by improving pre-flight medical screening criteria and a solid basis on which operators can make informed decision about the suitability of prospective customers.

Partners

The partner organizations working on this task include the following (* indicates a primary partner):

Federal Aviation Administration AST * University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston * Wyle * FAA-CAMI Federal Aeronautical Center NASA-JSC NASA-Johnson Space Center

Funding History

Students


24

Expense Charts


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Task 182 — Human System Risk Management Approach to CST

Project Description

PURPOSE: This research has significant relevance as an approach to assessing and managing risks related to human health and performance of the many commercial SFPs who represent a much wider range of health status and level of training than has historically been the case in government space programs.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this research project is to investigate the feasibility of applying the work that has been done by NASA in assessing human system risks for midand long-duration spaceflight for highly trained astronauts to the risk assessment for relatively untrained commercial SFPs.

GOALS: Investigate the extension of Johnson Space Center’s Human System Risk Management process for design reference missions of the commercial suborbital and orbital regimes.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston * Wyle * NASA-JSC NASA-Johnson Space Center

Funding History

Students


26

Task 182 Expense Charts


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Task 183 — Spaceflight Crew Medical Standards And Participant Acceptance Criteria

Project Description

PURPOSE: A number of standards documents and guidelines publications have been produced by various organizations. However, there has not been a consolidation and integration of these various recommendations, guidelines and standards into a cohesive approach that can be relied upon by space launch operators and passengers. The anticipated outcome of this research project is a consolidated set of recommendations, guidelines, and forms that will be useful to both operators and passengers embarking on a space flight.

OBJECTIVES: The three objectives for this research project are: (i) development of recommendations for the medical standards for suborbital and orbital space vehicle crew members, (ii) development of recommendations for passenger acceptance criteria for suborbital and orbital space flight, and (iii) development of a model passenger ‘Informed Consent’ document for use by space launch operators to convey the risks related to personal medical status to their passengers.

GOALS: The anticipated outcome of this research project is a consolidated set of

recommendations, guidelines, and forms that will be useful to both operators and

passengers embarking on a space flight.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston * Wyle * FAA-CAMI Federal Aeronautical Center NASA-JSC NASA-Johnson Space Center

Funding History

Students


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Task 184 — Human Rating Of Commercially Operated Spacecraft

Project Description

PURPOSE: Human Rating is a broad-reaching topic that brings together the process of integrating a human into a spacecraft system for safe and reliable operations. This process first requires ensuring that fundamental human physiological needs are satisfied, makes use of human capabilities as an integral element of design and operation of the vehicle, and controls hazards and manages safety risks intended to protect the public, the flight crew and passengers, and ground personnel to the maximum extent possible during all phases of the mission.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this work is to define the criteria for human rating of a commercial spacecraft habitat and launch vehicle, either individually or as an integrated spacecraft system, as appropriate. NASA’s current governing document (NPR 8705.2B) describes this process as it applies to the development and operation of crewed space systems developed by NASA and used to conduct NASA human spaceflight missions. The process of ensuring compliance and verification for commercially-designed space vehicles flying on independently operated (i.e., non-NASA) space missions has not yet been defined.

GOALS: Review, extension and/or modification of the requirements defined in NPR 8705.2B and in other relevant NASA and FAA documents as determined applicable for commercial spaceflight; definition of compliance and verification processes for commercial spacecraft developers and operators; definition of the human physiological parameters within which a commercial spacecraft must function; and determination of acceptance criteria to achieve human rating designation. Moving from mission with crew and space flight participants into the passenger carrying era will also be given consideration.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * University of Colorado at Boulder *

Funding History

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Task 185 — Unified 4D Trajectory Approach For Integrated Traffic Management

Project Description

PURPOSE: The projected growth in demand for the use of the traditional airspace by commercial space transportation entities will make it increasingly hard to accommodate launches on a Special Use Airspace (SUA) basis.

OBJECTIVES: The three main objectives for this project are:

to develop plausible architectures for an Integrated Airspace Management System, to research and develop the foundation of such a system so that, from the outset, time-space

probabilistic trajectories and safety assessments can be incorporated, and to create a prototype implementation for a proof-of-concept of the system that may be further

developed in a follow-on project.

GOALS: Development of requirements, architecture and prototype implementations of simultaneous air/space traffic management procedures for commercial space transportation. Leverage projected improvements derived from NextGen.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * Stanford University *

Funding History

Students

None



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Task 186 — Space Environment Modeling/Prediction – SU

Project Description

PURPOSE: An integrated air and space traffic management system requires seamless and real-time access to density predictions for on-orbit collision avoidance and atmospheric reentry; future knowledge of deleterious particles including energetics, meteoroids, and debris; and near-surface weather prediction.

OBJECTIVES: We will develop

a weather prediction model extending from Earth’s surface to the edge of space and, a micrometeoroid detection and risk assessment system that, together, predict the

environmental conditions needed for safe orbital, entry, descent and landing operations.

GOALS:

Define the process to develop a weather prediction model extending from Earth’s surface to the edge of space (~600 km altitude).

Define the Process to develop a micrometeoroid detection and risk assessment system that, together, predict the environmental conditions needed for safe orbital, entry, descent and landing operations.

Partners



Funding History

Students


34

Task 186-SU Expense Charts


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Task 186 — Space Environment Modeling/Prediction – CU

Project Description

PURPOSE: An integrated air and space traffic management system requires seamless and real-time access to density predictions for on-orbit collision avoidance and atmospheric reentry; future knowledge of deleterious particles including energetics, meteoroids, and debris; and near-surface weather prediction.

OBJECTIVES: We will develop (i) a weather prediction model extending from Earth’s surface to the edge of space and (ii) a micrometeoroid detection and risk assessment system that, together, predict the environmental conditions needed for safe orbital, entry, descent and landing operations.

GOALS:

Define the process to develop a weather prediction model extending from Earth’s surface to the edge of space (~600 km altitude).

Define the Process to develop a micrometeoroid detection and risk assessment system that, together, predict the environmental conditions needed for safe orbital, entry, descent and landing operations.

Partners



Funding History

Students

None


36

Task 186-CU Expense Charts


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Task 187 — Space Situational Awareness Improvements

Project Description

PURPOSE: Effective space situational awareness faces the challenges of bringing together observations from disparate sensors and sources, developing computationally efficient dynamic propagation schemes, and formulating accurate estimation methods for the purpose of quantifying and qualifying space-based activities.

OBJECTIVES: The desired outcome is to:

maximize the information extracted from all sources of collected data (minimize ambiguity), gather data in a way that maximizes its information content (maximize efficiency), recover and predict the space domain with more realistic and accurate knowledge, and infer the space-based environment in a timely fashion so as to increase safety and enable

effective decision making.

GOALS: The goal of this effort is to improve our knowledge of current and future behavior of space objects by reducing the associated uncertainties. This project will improve, develop, and test software, hardware, and information fusion plans to produce accurate, autonomous, and near real-time understanding of objects in the operational space environment to promote orbital safety and evaluate debris threat mitigation schemes. This will require coordination with various organizations in civil, commercial, and military space sectors.

Partners



Funding History

Students


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Task 193 — Role Of The COE CST In Encourage, Facilitate And Promote - CU

Project Description

PURPOSE: The current environment favors such initiatives conceptually, but the business case for them is difficult to close. Unless they have a specific interest in the hosted technology, commercial launch users are reluctant to give up even a few kilograms of launch mass at prices supportable by research institutions and small commercial startups.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this project are to provide training in and to construct, analyze and optimize a business model that fosters a favorable environment for flying many research and operational payloads either as rideshares deployed from commercial launches or as hosted payloads aboard commercial spacecraft.

GOALS: Near-Term: Develop a COE CST commercial space transportation research road-map by conducting workshops. Far-Term: Implement the strategy for commercial space transportation EFP using analysis tools and techniques at the intersection of engineering and business.

Partners



Funding History

Students


40



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Task 193 — Role Of The COE CST In Encourage, Facilitate And Promote - SU

Project Description

PURPOSE: The current environment favors such initiatives conceptually, but the business case for them is difficult to close. Unless they have a specific interest in the hosted technology, commercial launch users are reluctant to give up even a few kilograms of launch mass at prices supportable by research institutions and small commercial startups.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this project are to provide training in and to construct, analyze and optimize a business model that fosters a favorable environment for flying many research and operational payloads either as rideshares deployed from commercial launches or as hosted payloads aboard commercial spacecraft.

GOALS: Near-Term: Develop a COE CST commercial space transportation research road-map by conducting workshops. Far-Term: Implement the strategy for commercial space transportation EFP using analysis tools and techniques at the intersection of engineering and business.

Partners



Funding History

Students


42



43

Task 220 — Space Operational Framework

Project Description

Develop an accepted framework to capture a body of knowledge for commercial spaceport practices through 2012. Once the framework and processes are established, and proven to be useful, further individual practices may be developed by the spaceport community, the launch provider community, the FAA, NASA, and other users of commercial launch services on a priority basis as needed as the industry evolves.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * New Mexico State University * AIAA American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Ball Aerospace Civil and Operational Space Cimmaron Software Services Inc. CSSI Inc. Dynetics, Inc. Test & Operations Jacobs Technology Inc. NASA/White Sands Test Facility Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Penn State University Aerospace Engineering Qinetiq Space Works Enterprises Spaceport America Consultants Spaceworks Washington DC Operations The Tauri Group Webster University Space Programs XCOR Aerospace, Inc.

Funding History

Students

None


44



45

Task 228 — Magneto-Elastic Sensing For Structural Health Monitoring

Project Description

PURPOSE: Our prior work and experience in SHM of space structures indicates that a robust, reliable and low maintenance approach is needed to monitor integrity of space vehicles.

OBJECTIVES:

Develop adequate analytical and numerical models which describe magneto-elastic damage detection.

Investigate potential of the magneto-elastic SHM for characterization of interfaces in space structures and assessment of incipient fatigue damage before crack development.

Explore damage manifestation in the magneto-mechanical sensor signature and suggest respective feature extraction algorithms.

Consider methodologies for features classification / damage characterization that enable integration of the above mentioned components into a comprehensive SHM system.

GOALS: Near-Term: explore if embedding sensors that can be pulsed with magnetic fields can yield reduction of space vehicle qualification time (and cost) via real time monitoring of structural interfaces during and after assembly, on-orbit diagnosis and system characterization - would enable rapid turnaround/flight rates of RLVs Far-Term: deploy to industry if successful.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology *

Funding History

Students


46



47

Task 241 — High Temperature, Optical Sapphire Pressure Sensors For Hypersonic Vehicles - UF

Project Description

PURPOSE: The study of hypersonic boundary layers is critical to the efficient design of hypersonic vehicles for rapid global and space access. The harsh environment makes conventional instrumentation unsuitable for time accurate, continuous, direct measurements. The development of a high temperature sensor for direct measurement of pressure is vital to the understanding of shock-wave/boundary layer interactions which directly influence critical vehicle characteristics such as lift, drag, and propulsion efficiency.

OBJECTIVES:

Design a sapphire optical lever microphone via multiphysics analytical modeling Develop thermocompression fabrication methods for the formation of devices with moving

parts out of sapphire and platinum Development of techniques for ultrafast laser micromachining of sapphire for sensor and

packaging fabrication Fabrication and packaging of pressure sensors optimized for low-noise and highsensitivity

while possessing minimal drift associated with changes in relative humidity, temperature, etc. Characterization of sensors in a simulated, high temperature, pressurized laboratory

environment Implementation in a hypersonic flow facility (such as Arnold Engineering Development

Center, etc.) and/or a gas turbine (such as the Capstone C60 microturbine at the University of Florida, etc.)

GOALS: Design a fiber optic lever pressure sensor with a remote photo-diode optical readout. The microphone is composed of a compliant, platinum coated, sapphire diaphragm bonded over a cavity containing a single optical fiber. The diaphragm deflection is detected via intensity modulation due to the motion of the reflective platinum coated sapphire diaphragm. The optical signal is routed via the high temperature sapphire fiber to a remote photo-diode allowing for insulation of the electronics from the harsh environment.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * Space Florida * University of Florida *

Funding History

Students


48

Task 241-UF Expense Charts


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Task 241 — High Temperature, Optical Sapphire Pressure Sensors For Hypersonic Vehicles - FSU

Project Description

PURPOSE: The study of hypersonic boundary layers is critical to the efficient design of hypersonic vehicles for rapid global and space access. The harsh environment makes conventional instrumentation unsuitable for time accurate, continuous, direct measurements. The development of a high temperature sensor for direct measurement of pressure is vital to the understanding of shock-wave/boundary layer interactions which directly influence critical vehicle characteristics such as lift, drag, and propulsion efficiency.

OBJECTIVES:

Design a sapphire optical lever microphone via multiphysics analytical modeling - Develop thermocompression fabrication methods for the formation of devices with moving parts out of sapphire and platinum

Development of techniques for ultrafast laser micromachining of sapphire for sensor and packaging fabrication

Fabrication and packaging of pressure sensors optimized for low-noise and highsensitivity while possessing minimal drift associated with changes in relative humidity, temperature, etc.

Characterization of sensors in a simulated, high temperature, pressurized laboratory environment - Implementation in a hypersonic flow facility (such as Arnold Engineering Development Center, etc.) and/or a gas turbine (such as the Capstone C60 microturbine at the University of Florida, etc.)

GOALS: Design a fiber optic lever pressure sensor with a remote photo-diode optical readout. The microphone is composed of a compliant, platinum coated, sapphire diaphragm bonded over a cavity containing a single optical fiber. The diaphragm deflection is detected via intensity modulation due to the motion of the reflective platinum coated sapphire diaphragm. The optical signal is routed via the high temperature sapphire fiber to a remote photo-diode allowing for insulation of the electronics from the harsh environment.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * Florida State University * Space Florida *

Funding History

Students

None


50

Task 241-FSU Expense Charts


51

Task 244 — Autonomous Rendezvous And Docking For Space Debris Mitigation - CU

Project Description

PURPOSE: Launch vehicles are nonlinear dynamic systems that require skill to maneuver in tight spaces as required for docking and berthing maneuvers (DBMs). This problem is akin to the difficult task of parallel parking for ground vehicles. However, whereas the latter task can be based on a simple kinematic model, DBMs for space vehicles require the use of more complex dynamic models due to the need to model the less precise actuators (e.g., thrusters) and to explicitly consider the inertia of the vehicle due to the lack of friction or environmental resistance.

OBJECTIVES: The motion planning will be based on Sampling Based Model Predictive Control (SBMPC), which is a synergy between the Model Predictive Control (MPC) paradigm used by control researchers and engineers and the sampling based planning methodologies popularized by robotics and artificial intelligence researchers. SBMPC, like MPC, uses dynamic models in planning and treats the inputs to the system as the optimization parameters. However, unlike MPC, it optimizes uses sampling and A*-type optimization, which enables it to avoid local minimum and be used for real-time planning and control.

GOALS: This project will develop the technology needed to automate DBM.

Partners



Funding History

Students


52



53

Task 244 — Autonomous Rendezvous And Docking For Space Debris Mitigation - SU

Project Description




Partners



Funding History

Students


54



55

Task 244 — Autonomous Rendezvous And Docking For Space Debris Mitigation - UF

Project Description




Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * Space Florida * University of Florida *

Funding History

Students

None


56

Task 244-UF Expense Charts


57

Task 244 — Autonomous Rendezvous And Docking For Space Debris Mitigation - FSU

Project Description




Partners



Funding History

Students


58

Task 244-FSU Expense Charts


59

Task 247 — Air And Space Traffic Control Considerations For Commercial Space Transportation

Project Description

PURPOSE: The current ATC system employs both terminal control (ATCT) and En Route control (ARTCC) systems to manage air traffic up to 60,000 ft (FL 600). In order to integrate atmospheric traffic with transitional aircraft (atmospheric to space, and space to atmospheric), concepts and procedures for integration need to be developed.

GOALS: (1) Determine if FAA’s current NAS architecture can accommodate hypersonic vehicles transitioning all Class A Airspace. (2)Explore TCAS modification, NAVAID usability and all systems anticipated for NextGen.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * Florida Institute of Technology * Space Florida *

Funding History

Students



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Task 253 — Ultra High Temperature Composites For Thermal Protection Systems

Project Description

PURPOSE: One of the critical issues of high-speed flight vehicles is the aerodynamic thermal loading, encountered at the sharp leading edges. From aerodynamic considerations, hypersonic vehicles require sharp leading edges and recent estimates suggested that such edges should have a radius of curvature on the order of 3mm. As a result of such sharp geometry, temperatures in excess of 2600oC are generated, at the tip of a leading edge, and the resulting stagnation temperature exceeds the realistic upper use temperature of most materials. It was observed that even the most advanced materials such as Ti, Inconel X, carbon-carbon, silicon carbide-based composites cannot withstand the excessive heat generated, especially during reentry, resulting in blunting of the sharp leading edges. Thus, sharp leading edges and nose cones require thermal protection system (TPS) to prevent spacecraft from high aerodynamic heating loads, during reentry into atmosphere. The sharp leading edges experience extreme aerodynamic heating loads resulting in temperature gradient as high as 1000oC within 2mm beneath the surface. Only a few materials can withstand such high heating loads. It has been identified that the ultra high temperature ceramics (UHTCs), such as refractory metal diborides (ZrB2 and HfB2) based ceramics, with high melting temperatures and large thermal conductivities are ideally suited for the protection of sharp edges and yet capable of maintaining their sleek shapes without significant deformation or melting.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this proposal is to develop multifunctional ultra high temperature ceramic composites with sensing capabilities for applications in hypersonic space vehicle, where aggressive environments including high temperatures and corrosive species prohibits the usages of the currently available technologies.

GOALS: The proposed work will provide a rigorous scientific methodology for development of multifunctional, nanostructured, light-weight, thermal protection systems (TPS) for high-speed air-breathing vehicles which have encountered many daunting challenges in various areas spanning thermal management, hypersonic aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics and aero-propulsion integration.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * Space Florida * University of Central Florida *

Funding History


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Students



63

Task 255 — Wearable Biomedical Monitoring Equipment For Spaceflight Participants

Project Description

OBJECTIVES: The overall objective of this project is to identify, set design requirements, and procure prototype biomedical monitoring equipment that can be incorporated into a wearable vest or harness to support the operational monitoring needs of space flight surgeons as well as the research interests of aerospace physiologists.

GOALS:

identify biomedical monitoring equipment that can be worn by passengers in a convenient and unobtrusive way so as not to interfere with flight experience.

review existing Off-the-shelf equipment. survey flight surgeons, researchers, and space vehicle operators To determine desired features

and capabilities. compared desired features and capabilities with existing equipment to identify gaps. identify new technologies needed and explore what existing technologies can be repackaged

and incorporated into a wearable system.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * NASTAR Center * University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston * Wyle * NASA-JSC NASA-Johnson Space Center

Funding History

Students


64



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Task 256 — Testing And Training In High-G Profiles

Project Description

PURPOSE: There is a need to test, train, and evaluate groups of individuals with the most common diseases of mid and older ages. Characteristic responses of disease states will be identified and any particular risks that need to be mitigated identified.

GOALS: This task will enroll, train, and monitor groups with specific conditions as they experience G-profiles of commercial space flights.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston * NASTAR Center *

Funding History

Students



66


67

Task 257 — Masters Level Commercial Space Operations Instruction Criteria

Project Description

PURPOSE: Increases in commercial launch/re-entry and satellite operations result in the need to create an academically credible program for the education and training, both in theory and in practice, of operators for launch vehicles, space vehicles, and satellites. Such a capability, facilitated by extensive industry involvement, will insure a well trained workforce pipeline to support sustained and expanding space operations. Such operations will require trained and knowledgeable operators to maximize safety of launch and reentry, specifically to minimize the impact of these activities on the uninvolved public and the national airspace. There does not currently exist an opportunity for such training open to commercial providers.

OBJECTIVES:

Develop a one semester course covering the fundamentals of launch and on-orbit operations. Develop a hands-on lab to follow the pre-requisite course work to provide real-world training

in operations. Refine instruction techniques based on student feedback and industry input. Standardize instruction and identify required co-requisite courses for the establishment of a

Certificate in Commercial Launch and Satellite Operations awarded by the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Partners



Funding History

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Task 258 — Multi-Disciplinary Analysis Of Launch Vehicle Safety Metrics

Project Description

GOALS:

Develop high-fidelity tool for the FAA. Assess the confidence in applicant's system reliability claims. Compute a probability of failure estimate for new vehicles using system reliability data

provided by applicants. Partner with ULA, SpaceX, Orbital

Partners



Funding History

Students

None



70


71

Task 259 — Flight Software Validation And Verification For Safety

Project Description

PURPOSE: Software Independent Validation and Verification is regarded as one of the major issues today and in the future for the timely and cost-effective development and certification of launch and re-entry systems.

OBJECTIVES:

Formulate a coherent plan of research to impact flight software V&V for commercial space transportation systems.

Produce a research roadmap of activities that may lead to a full project pursued under the umbrella of the COE.

Partners



Funding History

Students

None



72


73

Task 281 — Technical Oversight – CU

Project Description

Provide technical oversight for the COE-CST.

Partners



Funding History

Students

None



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75

Task 282 — Technical Oversight – FIT

Project Description


Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * Florida Institute of Technology * Space Florida *

Funding History

Students

None



76


77

Task 283 — Technical Oversight – FSU

Project Description


Partners



Funding History

Students

None



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79

Task 284 — COE CST Admin Lead Activities – NMSU

Project Description

Provide administrative lead activities for the COE-CST.

Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * New Mexico State University * AIAA American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Ball Aerospace Civil and Operational Space Cimmaron Software Services Inc. CSSI Inc. Dynetics, Inc. Test & Operations Jacobs Technology Inc. NASA/White Sands Test Facility Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Penn State University Aerospace Engineering Qinetiq Space Works Enterprises Spaceworks Washington DC Operations The Tauri Group Webster University Space Programs XCOR Aerospace, Inc.

Funding History

Students

None


80



81

Task 286 — Technical Oversight – SU

Project Description


Partners



Funding History

Students

None



82


83

Task 287 — Technical Oversight – UCF

Project Description


Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * University of Central Florida * Space Florida *

Funding History

Students

None



84


85

Task 288 — Technical Oversight – UF

Poject Description


Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * University of Florida *

Funding History

Students

None



86


87

Task 289 — Technical Oversight – UTMB

Project Description


Partners


Federal Aviation Administration AST * University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston *

Funding History

Students

None



88


89

Appendix A. COE CST Legislation Full Text of Public Law 101-508 Title IX, Subtitle C, Section 9209, “Aviation Research and Centers of Excellence”

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 312 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 App. U.S.C. 1353) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(i) AVIATION RESEARCH AND CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE-

`(1) GENERAL AUTHORITY- The Administrator may make grants to one or more colleges or universities to establish and operate several regional centers of air transportation excellence, whose locations shall be geographically equitable.

`(2) RESPONSIBILITIES- The responsibilities of each regional center of air transportation excellence established under this subsection shall include, but not be limited to, the conduct of research concerning airspace and airport planning and design, airport capacity enhancement techniques, human performance in the air transportation environment, aviation safety and security, the supply of trained air transportation personnel including pilots and mechanics, and other aviation issues pertinent to developing and maintaining a safe and efficient air transportation system, and the interpretation, publication, and dissemination of the results of such research. In conducting such research, each center may contract with nonprofit research organizations and other appropriate persons.

`(3) APPLICATION- Any college or university interested in receiving a grant under this subsection shall submit to the Administrator an application in such form and containing such information as the Administrator may require by regulation.

`(4) SELECTION CRITERIA- The Administrator shall select recipients of grants under this subsection on the basis of the following criteria:

`(A) The extent to which the needs of the State in which the applicant is located are representative of the needs of the region for improved air transportation services and facilities.

`(B) The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the applicant for carrying out this subsection.

`(C) The capability of the applicant to provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range and immediate air transportation problems.

`(D) The extent to which the applicant has an established air transportation program.

`(E) The demonstrated ability of the applicant to disseminate results of air transportation research and educational programs through a statewide or region-wide continuing education program.

`(F) The projects which the applicant proposes to carry out under the grant.

`(5) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT- No grant may be made under this subsection in any fiscal year unless the recipient of such grant enters into such agreements with the Administrator as the Administrator may require to ensure that such recipient will maintain its aggregate expenditures from all other sources for establishing and operating a regional center of air transportation excellence and related research activities at or above the average level of such expenditures in its 2 fiscal years preceding the date of enactment of this subsection.


90

`(6) FEDERAL SHARE- The Federal share of a grant under this subsection shall be 50 percent of the costs of establishing and operating the regional center of air transportation excellence and related research activities carried out by the grant recipient.

`(7) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS- Funds made available to carry out this subsection shall be allocated by the Administrator in a geographically equitable manner.'.

(b) RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE-

(1) Section 312(f)(2) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 App. U.S.C. 1353(f)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: `In addition, the committee shall review the research and training to be carried out by the regional centers of air transportation excellence established under subsection (h).'.

(2) Section 312(f)(3) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 App. U.S.C. 1353(f)(3)) is amended--

(A) by striking `20' and inserting `30'; and

(B) by striking the last sentence and inserting the following: `The Administrator in appointing the members of the committee shall ensure that the research centers of air transportation excellence, universities, corporations, associations, consumers, and other Government agencies are represented.'.

(c) RESEARCH AUTHORITY OF ADMINISTRATOR- Section 312(c) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 App. U.S.C. 1353(c)) is amended by inserting after the third sentence the following: `The Administrator shall undertake or supervise research programs concerning airspace and airport planning and design, airport capacity enhancement techniques, human performance in the air transportation environment, aviation safety and security, the supply of trained air transportation personnel including pilots and mechanics, and other aviation issues pertinent to developing and maintaining a safe and efficient air transportation system.'.

(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- That portion of the table of contents contained in the first section of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 relating to section 312 of that Act is amended by adding at the end the following: `(i) Aviation research and centers of excellence.'

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