Commercial Spaceflight
Operations
Masters Course at CU
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
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Overview
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AES/CCAR Overview
FAA COE Overview
Operations Course Task Description
Academic Objectives
Proposed Topics
Discussion/Audience Participation
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
1
CU AES Overview
Aerospace Engineering Sciences
– 37 tenure track faculty
– Over 200 graduate students
– Over 400 undergraduate students
– Ranked among the top four graduate
programs in the nation based on quality of
program by 2010 NRC Assessment
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
2
CCAR Overview
• Altimeter Calibration/Validation
• Earth Gravity Field/Oceanography
• GPS Applications
– Orbit Determination
– Multipath estimation
– Ocean and land surface point positioning
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Orbit and Attitude Determination
Space Navigation
Three-Body Astrodynamics
Orbital Debris Research
Remote Sensing of Atmosphere, Land, Ocean
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
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CCAR Overview
Founded 1985
118 PhDs Awarded
Current Personnel:
Faculty:
14
Research Staff:
14
Admin. Staff:
1
Grad Students:
60
Undergrads:
18
Total
107
Approx. Annual Research Budget: $6.0m
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
4
FAA COE Overview
Established August 2010
– 9 core University Partners
– 21 research projects approved/funded in year 1
– Collaboration is key goal industry-academia-gov
– 1:1 cost-share required by legislation
University Partners:
CU Boulder, Stanford, UTMB, NMSU, FSU,
UF, FIT, UCF, NMT
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
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FAA COE Overview
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
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Operations Course Task
Commercial Space Operations Course
– Intended to:
• produce world class operators for launch, on-orbit, & re-entry
• retain industry knowledge in new generation workforce
• provide application of MS level concepts
– 2 Semester Sequence Expected:
• One-semester course/lecture (first offering Fall 2011)
• One-semester lab/application (no earlier than Spring 2012)
– Extensive Industry Involvement
– Access for Distance Learning
– Provide Innovative and Unmatched Student Experience
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
7
Goal
Course shall serve as a bridge between
theory and application
to prepare real world problem solvers
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
8
Focus
• Human and non-Human spaceflight
• Operational activities for the entire mission sequence
– Launch, On-Orbit, Re-Entry
– Command – Execute – Evaluate
• Industry ‘evolution’ (governmental  commercial)
• Project management / team dynamics
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
9
Logistics
• 1 semester course (Fall 2011 – Tuesday/Thursday)
– ~3 hrs lecture, ~3 hrs outside work
– 1.5 hours / week CU faculty
– 1.5 hours / week Industry representative
• ~ ½ lectures given by industry!
• 1 semester lab (no earlier than Spring 2012)
– 3 hours / week instruction
– 3 hours / week project work
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
10
Logistics
Distance learning access
– Center for Advanced Engineering and
Technical Education (CAETE)
– Will provide industry and distance access
around the country
– Lectures will be archived to retain insight
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
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Industry partners
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SNC
SAS
ULA
USA
LASP
Orbital Sciences
SpaceX
Virgin Galactic
Lockheed Martin
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
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KSC
GSFC
JSC
JPL
Boeing
SS/L
GeoEye
AGI
Digital Globe
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Timeline
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FAA approval and funding obtained
Draft academic objectives set up
Receive Feedback from Industry Partners
Finalize academic objectives
Define specific curriculum topics
Identify industry experts for defined topics
Set up detailed course schedule
Offer course for first time (Fall 2011)
Develop material for lab portion of course
Offer lab for first time (no earlier than Spring 2012)
Approve Spaceflight Operations Certificate (TBD)
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
13
Academic Objectives (1-2)
1. Comprehension of total mission sequence
– Mission initiation to end of mission
2. Constraints on design and operations
– Technical – what can you do
– Policy/Legal – what are you allowed to do
– Business – what can you afford to do
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
14
Academic Objectives (3-4)
3. Understanding of, and insight into, current
industry practices
– Comprehension of current industry practices
• Developments over the years
– Critical review of potential improvements
• What do operations look like in 10 years?
4. Overview of project management and team
dynamics
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
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Current Industry Feedback
 Risk and its effect on operations must be sufficiently
addressed
 Make clear distinction between Human / non-Human
 Prepare students to deal with vehicle anomalies
 Cover end-to-end command infrastructure
 Command – ground station – vehicle – OD/information return
 Critical aspect to cover = teamwork/team dynamics
 Hierarchy/team structure
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
16
Discussion on Academic Objectives
 Are there any critical academic objectives which we have
missed?
 Which academic objective do you believe is most critical
 What skills would you like to see taught in the context of
this course?
 To a CU aerospace engineering grad student/prospective employee
 To a current spacecraft operator/employee
 Value of this type of class experience
 For a prospective employee?
 For a current employee?
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
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Discussion
General Q&A
Follow-up with:
Bradley Cheetham
Graduate Research Associate
Bradley.Cheetham@colorado.edu
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
The University of Colorado
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