ESCAPE ABILITY REQUIRED NASA MANDATES CHANGES IN SPACECRAFT.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer PALMDALE - With the Columbia accident still fresh in their minds, leaders at NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. are requiring their next manned spacecraft This is a list of manned spacecraft (including space stations) sorted by manufacturer/operator and series in chronological order. Operational spacecraft China National Space Administration
2. Ground rent deeds and leases frequently contain a clause authorizing the landlord to reenter on the non-payment of rent, or the breach of some covenant, when the . Crew safety is the main focus of the second round of requirements the National Space and Aeronautics Administration released Tuesday for the orbital space plane The Orbital Space Plane (OSP) program was designed to support the International Space Station requirements for crew rescue, crew transport and contingency cargo such as supplies, food and other needed equipment. program. NASA wants to have the new spacecraft ready for use as a lifeboat for the International Space Station by 2008 and to be ready to take astronauts into orbit by 2012. ``These requirements are the instruction manual for designing the entire system that will provide safe, reliable access to and from the International Space Station,'' said Dennis Smith Dennis Smith may refer to:
The requirements were developed before the Columbia accident report was released last month. However, policy changes the agency made after the Columbia accident, including new guidelines for developing manned spacecraft, were incorporated into the requirements. ``They (the requirements) are very consistent with what the CAIB CAIB Columbia Accident Investigation Board (NASA) CAIB Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker CAIB Community Action Information Board CAIB Caribbean Association of Indigenous Banks, Inc. CAIB California Association of Independent Business, Inc. (Columbia Accident Investigation Board The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) was convened by NASA to investigate the destruction of the Space Shuttle Columbia upon atmospheric re-entry on February 1, 2003. ) report supported,'' Smith said Tuesday during a teleconference with reporters. NASA released its initial requirements for the orbital space plane in February. Those requirements included a capability to carry at least four astronauts, plus better safety and more ease of operation than the space shuttles The term Space Shuttles refers to partly or fully reusable launch vehicles for regularly placing payloads into low earth orbit. See:
The requirements released Tuesday further refined what is expected out of NASA's next manned spacecraft. The spacecraft must be designed to allow the crew to get out quickly during an emergency while the vehicle is still on the launch pad. If an emergency occurs during liftoff, the crew must be able to return safely to Earth inside the spacecraft. While in orbit, the spacecraft must be able to approach and attempt docking with the space station at least twice, allowing it the flexibility to stand off from the station and try again if the first attempt to dock is unsuccessful. The spacecraft also must have both automatic and manual docking controls. The spacecraft is envisioned for possible use as a space station ``lifeboat,'' attached to the station for up to six months at a time. NASA wants a three- to six-month contingency margin added to the six-month availability time. In the event of an emergency on the space station, NASA wants the crew to be able to find safe haven 1. Designated area(s) to which noncombatants of the United States Government's responsibility and commercial vehicles and materiel may be evacuated during a domestic or other valid emergency. 2. inside the orbital space plane for up to 12 hours while it is still attached to the space station. If the decision is made to return the crew to Earth, the spacecraft must be capable of safely separating from the space station within 10 minutes. The orbital space plane must also be able to separate from the space station without causing further damage. NASA wants the spacecraft equipped with handholds on its exterior to allow the spacecraft to be inspected for damage. For emergencies on re-entry and landing, the spacecraft must have an escape system such as ejection seats, an escape pod
NASA has three contractor teams working on the orbital space plane: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and a joint effort by Orbital Sciences Corp. and Northrop Grumman. In November, the program will go through a design review and will establish the next set of requirements. At that time, NASA is scheduled to issue a request for proposals to the contractors for the spacecraft's design. A decision to build the spacecraft is expected in 2004. Jim Skeen, (661) 267-5743 james.skeen(at)dailynews.com |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion