The Extended Duration Sounding Rocket (EDSR): Low Cost Science and Technology Missions

Details The Extended Duration Sounding Rocket (EDSR): Low Cost Science and Technology Missions The Extended Duration Sounding Rocket (EDSR): Low Cost Science and Technology Missions

Dec 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufmsa31a1962c&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #SA31A-1962

Physics

[0300] Atmospheric Composition And Structure, [1600] Global Change, [2400] Ionosphere, [2700] Magnetospheric Physics

Scientific paper

The 50-year old NASA sounding rocket (SR) program has been successful in launching scientific payloads into space frequently and at low cost with a 85% success rate. In 2008 the NASA Astrophysics Sounding Rocket Assessment Team (ASRAT), set up to review the future course of the SR program, made four major recommendations, one of which now called Extended Duration Sounding Rocket (EDSR). ASRAT recommended a system capable of launching science payloads (up to 420 kg) into low Earth orbit frequently (1/yr) at low cost, with a mission duration of approximately 30 days. Payload selection would be based on meritorious high-value science that can be performed by migrating sub-orbital payloads to orbit. Establishment of this capability is a essential for NASA as it strives to advance technical readiness and lower costs for risk averse Explorers and flagship missions in its pursuit of a balanced and sustainable program and achieve big science goals within a limited fiscal environment. The development of a new generation of small, low-cost launch vehicles (SLV), primarily the SpaceX Falcon 1 and the Orbital Sciences Minotaur I has made this concept conceivable. The NASA Wallops Flight Facility (WFF)conducted a detailed engineering concept study, aimed at defining the technical characteristics of all phases of a mission, from design, procurement, assembly, test, integration and mission operations. The work was led by Dr. Raymond Cruddace, a veteran of the SR program and the prime mover of the EDSR concept. The team investigated details such as, the "FAA licensed contract" for launch service procurement, with WFF and NASA SMD being responsible for mission assurance which results in a factor of two cost savings over the current approach. These and other creative solutions resulted in a proof-of-concept Class D mission design that could have a sustained launch rate of at least 1/yr, a mission duration of up to about 3 months, and a total cost of $25-30 million for each mission. The payload includes a pointing system with arc second precision, a command and data system which can be configured to meet the unique requirements of a particular mission, and a solar cell-battery power system. Anticipating the tremendous need of access to space, Cruddace and his team included a capability of inclusion of a number of smaller secondary instruments, ranging in size from CubeSats to instruments weighing up to 100 lb. These secondary payloads could be ejected as needed by P-PODs. In this talk, we will summarize EDSR, a legacy of Ray Cruddace.

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