Engineering Next Generation Launch Systems for Supportability, Phase II

In order to meet the challenges of high probability of mission success for space exploration, ground support system for various launch operations that responds rapidly to system events and anomalies is essential. In addition, the vast amount monitored parameters (around 50,000) for ground support system requires systematically supportablity analysis and trade-off studies for sensor optimization. Qualtech Systems, Inc. (QSI), in cooperation with Vanderbilt University, proposes to develop an integrated ground support system for addressing the ground support health management problem. The proposed solution provides supportability analysis for LOX system and real-time monitoring for select target system (e.g. hydraulic system). The supportability analysis uses QSI's TEAMS modeling of a candidate Liquid Oxygen (LOX) system which covers ground fueling facilities, mobile launcher and launch pad. An efficient sensor optimization schemes is developed to evaluate current available sensors and proposed upgrade sensor groups. Real-time monitoring collect sensor data from candidate system to the integrated test layer (wherein advanced tests are designed) and passed to the real-time diagnostic reasoner.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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