NASA Centennial Challenges
Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge
Preliminary Rules Discussion
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Menlo Park, California
Andrew Petro
NASA Headquarters
Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion
Eligibility
Goal is to be inclusive - get the best ideas but keep a level playing field and not
discourage new participants from diverse backgrounds
US Congress dictates that prizes can only be awarded US entities or US citizens or
permanent residents
Teams maintain rights to their intellectual property
Limits on government support for the effort
Data or assets from government-funded work can be used if available to all
Team registration required (comments on registration fees?)
All team members specified – what constitutes a team member?
Team reporting requirement – summary of expenditures
The rules should not exclude satellite delivery concepts that are not conventional
rocket vehicles.
Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion
Challenge Attempts
Advanced notification of attempt required: specified time period, number of
attempts within time period (unlimited?), contingency days for weather, how far
in advance for notification? When to make notification public?
Attempts scheduled - one team at a time, without conflicts
Scheduled time period more than one week
Extent of on-site monitoring by judges (potentially long time commitment)
Launch locations – limit to US?, any other limitations?
Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion
Winning Criteria
Winner is the first to accomplish the objective in a scheduled time period
- As opposed to an open period with tie-breaker if more than one team is
successful
Objective: two satellites placed in Earth orbit within one week
Definition of Earth orbit:
Minimum altitude: x km
No requirement for inclination, eccentricity or other parameters
How to verify successful orbit?
One orbit, two orbits to verify? (At what longitude does orbit begin?)
Twice in one week – no more than 168 hours from completion of first orbit of first
satellite to completion of first orbit of second satellite. (What is the best
reference point?)
Successful satellite deliveries do not have to be on successive attempts if still
within time period.
Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion
Winning Criteria – Continued
Definition of Payload: Payload should not contain any components necessary for
the operation of the launch vehicle or delivery system. The launch system should
be able to function just as well if the payload were not present or were replaced
with ballast. The payload cannot contain the computer or navigation system for
the launch system.
Payload Mass: At least 1 kg.
Payload size – at least 10 cm in all three orthogonal dimensions Spherical,
cylindrical or irregularly-shaped payloads must be able to contain an imaginary
10-cm cube.
We don’t want to discourage larger payloads or multiple payloads.
We do want to exclude award of prize for conventional satellite launches that
incidentally meet criteria without demonstrating a cost-effective approach or
innovation.
Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion
Safety and Regulations
Abide by all applicable laws and regulations
FAA permits and licensing – may be a difference between test flights and orbital
attempts
Extent of inspections of systems and monitoring of operations – for judges and
for regulators
Range Safety and Other Safety Requirements –
shutdown and abort systems
propellant types
considerations for unconventional systems
Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion
Other Rules Issues and Considerations
Ideas for student involvement – directly or in parallel activities
Other ideas and suggestions to enhance the value of the Challenge