National Aeronautics
and Space
Administration
December 2006
Introduction
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Name: Rogerio “Roger” Rojas
Born: Brownsville, TX
Schools:
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Cromack,
Rosa Del Castillo
Faulk
Porter
University of Texas at Austin
NASA Cooperative Engineering Program (UT sophomore year)
NASA 1988 to current
NASA Position: Rendezvous Flight Dynamics Officer
Engineering Types
Civil
 Electrical
 Mechanical
 Aerospace
 Chemical
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NASA Centers (How many?)
Ames
 Dryden
 Glenn
 Goddard
 Headquarters
 Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Johnson
 Kennedy
 Langley
 Marshall
 Stennis
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NASA Team
Space Exploration Programs
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1959 - 1961:
1962 - 1972:
1973 - 1974:
1981 - Now:
1998 - Now:
Mercury
Apollo
Skylab
Space Shuttle
International Space Station
Space Shuttles
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Enterprise
Pathfinder
Challenger
Endeavour
Columbia
Atlantis
Discovery
SOLID
ROCKET
BOOSTERS
ORBITER
EXTERNAL
TANK
Length
Space Shuttle: 56 meters (184 ft.)
Orbiter: 37 meters (122 ft.)
Height
Orbiter on runway: 17 meters (57 ft.)
Wingspan
24 meters (78 ft.)
Maximum cargo to orbit
28,803 kilograms (63,500 lbs.)
SRB Separation
Two minutes after launch
External Tank Separation
8.5 minutes after launch
Orbit
185 to 643 kilometers (115 to 400 miles)
Velocity
27,875 kph (17,321 mph)
Where do we launch from?
SRB Recovery Ship
Today …
International Space Station
Elements On Orbit today (As of July 2003)
U.S. Owned (U.S. built) Elements to be added
Science Power
Platform
U.S. Owned (Partner built) Elements to be added
Progress
Cargo Vehicle
(Russian)
International Partner Owned Elements to be added
Zvezda (Star)
Service Module
(Russian)
Zarya (Dawn)
Control Module
(Russian Built, US Owned)
Docking Compartment
(Russian)
Research
Module
Universal Docking
Module (Russian)
Research
Module
Docking and
Stowage Module
Soyuz
(Russian)
S3 Truss
Segment
S6 Truss
Segment
Thermal
Radiator
P5 Truss
Segment
P3 Truss
Segment
Thermal
Radiator Mobile Remote Servicer
Base System (Canada)
Mobile Transporter (US)
Port Photovoltaic
Arrays (U.S.)
Express
Pallet
S0 Truss
Segment (U.S.)
Canadarm2
SPDM
S5 Truss
Segment
S1 Truss
Segment
Starboard
Photovoltaic
Arrays
P6 Truss
Segment (U.S. )
Solar Alpha
Rotary Joint
Pressurized Mating
Adapter-1 (U.S.)
S4 Truss
Segment
Unity (Node 1)
(U.S.)
Cupola
P1 Truss
Segment
P4 Truss
Segment
Z1 Truss Segment (U.S.)
Centrifuge Accommodation Module
JEM Pressurized Section
Quest Airlock
(U.S.)
Solar Alpha
Rotary Joint
JEM Remote Manipulator System
JEM Exposed Section
Pressurized Mating
Adapter- 3 (U.S.)
U.S. Lab Destiny
JEM Exposed Facility
Node 2
Launch Year Highlights
Crew rotation on ISS continues while U.S.
ISS assembly launches are on hold until
the Space Shuttle’s return to flight.
European Lab
Columbus Orbital Facility
JEM Pressurized Module
Pressurized Mating
Adapter-2 (U.S.)
U.S. Elements based on President’s FY 2004 Budget
Kibo (Hope),
The Japanese
Experiment
Module
(JEM)
ISS Today
Additional Truss Segments & Solar Array Wings
Flights
Flights 12A,
12A, 12A.1,
12A.1, 13A,
13A, 13A.1,
13A.1, 15A
15A
Flight 12A.1
Flight 12A
(Install P3/P4,
deploy 2A,
4A SAW)
(Install P5,
complete P4
activation,
retract P6
SAW 4B )
Flight 13A
Flight 15A
(Relocate P6,
install S6,
redeploy 2B,
4B SAW
deploy 1B,
3B SAW)
(Install S3/S4,
deploy 3A,
4A SAW,
retract P6
SAW 2B, P6
remains on Z1)
Flight 13A.1
(Install S5)
Mission Operations
Johnson Space Center, Houston
Johnson Space Center, Houston
Mission Control Center - Houston
ISS Flight Control Room
Moscow
Mission Control Center - Moscow
MCC Flight Controllers
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Trajectory Officer
Flight Dynamics Officer
Ground Control Officer
Propulsion Officer
Mechanical, Maintenance,
Arm, and Crew Systems
Electrical Generation and
Illumination Officer
Data Processing and
Systems Officer
Assembly, Activation, and
Checkout Officer
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Flight Activities Officer
Emergency, Environmental,
and Consumables Manager
Instrumentation and
Communications
Flight Director
Capsule Communicator
Surgeon
Extra Vehicular Activities
What’s a Flight Dynamics Officer?
FDO Responsibilities
Trajectory Design
 Space Shuttle Tracking
 Trajectory Modeling
 Collision Avoidance
 Mass Property Tracking
 Deorbit Targeting
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Trajectory Design
Space Shuttle / ISS Tracking
Discovery radar: Cape Cod Phased Array
Optical telescopes: GEODSS Socorro
Tracking radar: Globus II
Space Based Visible sensor
Trajectory Modeling
Collision Avoidance
Mass Property Tracking
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Return/Resupply
 Multi-Purpose
Logistics Module
 Spacehab
 Middeck
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Contingencies
 Remote
Manipulator System
 Orbiter Boom Sensor System
 KU Antenna
Deorbit Targeting
Kennedy Space Center Landing
Edwards Air Force Base Landing
Deorbit Targeting (cont’d)
Kennedy Space Center Landing
Edwards Air Force Base Landing
Vision for Space Exploration
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2008: Initial flight test of Crew Exploration Vehicle
2008: Launch first lunar robotic orbiter
2009-2010: Robotic mission to lunar surface
2011: First uncrewed CEV flight
2014: First crewed CEV flight
2012-2015: Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter
(JIMO)/Prometheus
2015-2020: First human mission to the Moon
Other Data
Enterprise
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The shuttle was named after the star ship Enterprise from the popular TV
show, Star Trek. The shuttle was originally called the Constitution until a
large group of Trekies (die hard Star Trek fans) wrote letters to the White
House requesting that the name of the shuttle be changed to the
Enterprise. After the Enterprise was assembled in September 1976, it
was put through many mock space flight tests. It was transported from
state to state and even to other countries like Germany and France. The
Enterprise made its last trip to Washington D.C. were it became property
of the Smithsonian.
The Enterprise never got a chance to orbit the earth because it was built
as a test vehicle and was not equipped for space flight. Even though
Enterprise never flew, it was still a very important shuttle. The data
collected from its tests helped pave the way for Columbia, the first space
shuttle to fly into orbit.
Pathfinder
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The Pathfinder is a 75 ton orbiter simulator that was created so that
scientists and astronauts would know how to handle a shuttle in
space. It was constructed almost exactly like a real orbiter but like
the Enterprise, it was not equipped for orbit. After testing at Marshall
Space Flight Center (MSFC) and Kennedy Space Center, the
Pathfinder sat in storage for many years. One day a group of
Japanese offered to spend $1,000,000 (a whole lot of money!) to fix
up the Pathfinder and make it as close to a real space shuttle as
possible. The Japanese used it at the "Great Space Shuttle
Expedition" in Tokyo, Japan. After the exposition the Pathfinder was
returned to MSFC and is now on display at the Alabama Space and
Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Columbia
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Columbia is the oldest orbiter in the shuttle fleet.
It was named after a great ship that was used to
sail dangerous missions. It was also the first
American ship to sail around the globe. It's name
is also derived from the famous explorer,
Christopher Columbus. The Columbia space
shuttle was also a pioneer. It was the first space
shuttle to fly into earth orbit in 1981. Since then,
it has flown seventeen times and has made
2,421 orbits around the earth.
Challenger
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The Challenger was named after an American Naval
ship that sailed the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was
built to use for testing but was later converted to a
shuttle fit for space travel. The Challenger made its
first space flight in 1982. Since then it has flown ten
missions only nine of which were successful. Seventythree seconds into the Challenger's tenth flight, a
booster failure occurred resulting in the break up of
the Challenger. Sadly, the Challenger and its seven
member crew was lost.
Discovery
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Discovery was the third shuttle to become
operational at the Kennedy Space Center. It was
named after one of the two ships that were
captained by the famous British explorer, James
Cook. Discovery was similar to Columbia and
Challenger but a little better. (It weighed 6,870
pounds less than Columbia.) August 30. 1984
marked Discovery's first flight. It has completed
19 space mission since then.
Atlantis
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Atlantis was the fourth orbiter to become operational at
Kennedy Space Center It was named after the first U.S.
vessel to be used in oceanographic research. It seems
as if the people who assembled the space shuttles had
become old pros at the job because Atlantis was made in
one-half the time and nearly 7,000 pounds lighter than
Columbia. Atlantis also underwent 165 modifications to
enable it to stay in orbit longer and make it more heat
resistant just to name a few. On October 3. 1985 Atlantis
took off on its first flight.
Endeavour
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Endeavor is the newest space shuttle. It was named after
the first ship commanded by James Cook, an 18th
century British explorer. The name Endeavor was chosen
as a result of a competition involving elementary and
secondary school students. Endeavor flew the first of its
eight flights in May of 1992 with the purpose of rescuing
a stranded communications satellite. The Endeavor, as
well as the other space shuttles, is very, very heavy.
Without anything in it, Endeavor weighs 151,205 pounds
and with its main engines it weighs 172,000 pounds.
Imagine 1,700 people around your age getting on one
scale... That's about how much a space shuttle weighs.
Ames
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Ames Research Center is one of NASA's four Aeronautical Research Centers, and the Agency’s
Center of Excellence for Information Technology. Ames has a wide variety of experimental,
computational, and theoretical capabilities, which are dedicated to the advancement of
aeronautical and space sciences. These include a large collection of wind tunnels, shock tunnels,
arc jets and ballistic ranges for experimental studies; and the Agency's most advanced
supercomputing capability. The aeronautics capabilities at Ames range from computational fluid
dynamics to flight, and include lead Center responsibilities for several key program elements.
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In addition to aeronautical research, Ames is managing the NASA Astrobiology Institute, which is a
national consortium of scientists focused on interdisciplinary research in astrobiology. Ames
researchers also work on Space, Earth, and Life Sciences programs. This includes work projects
such as high performance computing and communications and the study of various species'
adaptation to the zero-G environment. Also, Ames researchers have developed excellence in
fields that are complementary to the aeronautical sciences such as computational chemistry and
thermal protection materials design. Space sciences, solar system exploration, and infrared
astronomy are also included in the Center's major program responsibilities.
Dryden
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The Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) is
NASA's center for aeronautical flight research
and atmospheric flight operations. DFRC is
chartered to research, develop, verify, and
transfer advanced aeronautics, space and
related technologies. It also serves as a backup
landing site for the Space Shuttle and a facility to
test and validate design concepts and systems
used in development and operation of the
Orbiters
Glenn
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The Glenn Research Center has been chartered to be NASA's lead Center in aeronautic
propulsion, and power system technology. It is also NASA’s Center of Excellence in
Turbomachinery. Research on advanced technology has been closely coordinated with the
aerospace industry since the early 1940's. The Center had, until recently, been responsible for the
design and fabrication of the power system for use on the Space Station Freedom.
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To compliment the Center’s expertise in state-of-the-art aerospace technologies, organizations
exist within to develop advanced technologies. These areas include advanced power, aeronautical
and space propulsion, and advanced communications. The advanced power systems include
static conversion, dynamic conversion, energy storage, and power management and distribution
techniques. The Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) Program develops technologies for the
most critical propulsion issues that impact local airport air quality and global climate change:
reducing nitrogen oxides and improving performance. The advanced communications group was
responsible for the recently launched Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS).
The Space Communications Program develops and demonstrates the technology for highperformance space communications systems need for critical NASA missions. Additional expertise
in materials and structural analysis augments these research areas.
Goddard
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GSFC is NASA's Center of Excellence for Scientific Research.
Goddard supports four Enterprises of the NASA Strategic Plan: Earth
Sciences, Space Science, Human Exploration and Development of
Space, and Aeronautics (at Wallops Flight Facility) in several
endeavors, including research in the Earth and space sciences and
the design, fabrication, testing and operation of scientific satellites
that survey the Earth and the universe. Tracking and data network
support is supplied to several NASA Centers in support of a variety of
missions. The Center is involved in the mission operations of dozens
of spacecraft on a daily basis.
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Among the space science spacecraft, the highly successful Hubble
Space Telescope is probably the best known Goddard project.
Headquarters
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NASA has transformed its organizational structure,
streamlining the agency and putting it in a better position
to implement the Vision for Space Exploration.
The agency has redefined its relationships with the NASA
Field Centers by developing clear and straightforward
lines of responsibility and accountability. Specific Mission
Associate Administrators are now assigned as
Headquarters Center Executives. They have oversight of
field center performance in implementing agency policies
and programs.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Trailblazing has been the business of JPL since it was established by the California Institute of Technology in the
1930s. America's first satellite, Explorer 1, was created at JPL. In the decades that followed, we sent the first
robotic craft to the Moon and out across the solar system, reconnoitering all of the planets except one. Pushing the
outer edge of exploration, in fact, is the reason JPL exists as a NASA laboratory.
The Deep Impact spacecraft recently scored a phenomenal success when it blasted a crater in the nucleus of
comet Tempel 1, revealing for the first time the inner stuff of these ancient wayfarers of the solar system. Another
comet-chasing spacecraft, Stardust, is on its way back to Earth with a cargo of dust samples it collected when it
flew by comet Wild 2 last year. The flagship explorer Cassini continues its looping orbits of Saturn, scrutinizing the
ringed planet and its moons, including the haze-shrouded Titan. Like the alkaline batteries that don't give up, the
Spirit and Opportunity rovers carry on in their ambles across the surface of Mars, probing rocks for signs of water in
the planet's past -- far beyond the mission they were originally designed for. The Voyagers are exploring the edge of
our solar system. In total, JPL has 16 spacecraft across the solar system. All these missions are part of NASA's
Vision for Space Exploration, to send robots and humans to explore the Moon, Mars and beyond.
Closer to home, a contingent of Earth-orbiting satellites monitors the lands, oceans and atmosphere of our own
planet. When CloudSat is launched this year, it will join a number of JPL satellites and instruments returning
important information on topics ranging from atmospheric ozone to El Nino events. And yet another collection of
explorers is looking far beyond the solar system to search for Earth-like planets and understand the history of
distant galaxies. These include the Spitzer Space Telescope and the Galaxy Evolution Explorer, as well as groundbased projects such as JPL instruments on the Keck Telescope in Hawaii.
Johnson
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Johnson Space Center's primary mission is Human Exploration and Astro Materials. This entails work on the country's two manned space
flight programs: Space Shuttle and Space Station. Work on the Shuttle program includes engineering support for the Shuttle Orbiter; flight
crew selection, training and operations; mission operations; and medical research related to space flight. Johnson's role in the Station
program has been significantly expanded in the past year in that it has been chosen as the lead Center for the development of the Station.
This means that in addition to its own work on station, the primary responsibility for coordinating the efforts of other NASA Centers and the
international partners will reside at JSC.
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Johnson Space Center has many unique facilities that are in use to help it fulfill its mission. These include the WETF (Weightless
Environment Training Facility), the SMS (Shuttle Mission Simulator), the SESL (Space Environment Simulation Laboratory), the ARMSEF
(Atmospheric Reentry Materials and Structures Evaluation Facility), and, of course, the well known (MCC) Mission Control Center. The
WETF is basically a very large swimming pool where astronauts practice procedures that are planned for upcoming space walks. The
SMS is full fidelity flight simulator that can interface with MCC for very realistic mission training. The SESL is a complex of vacuum
chambers including the enormous Chamber A, which is 120 feet high and 65 feet in diameter. The ARMSEF is a 10 megawatt arc-jet that
is used to test TPS materials such as the Shuttle tiles. The MCC is probably the best known NASA facility. Since 1965, it has served as
the nerve center for America's manned space programs. This includes every manned flight since Gemini 4.
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JSC also has unique aircraft nearby at Ellington Field. These include KC-135s, T-38s, B-57s, and Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA). The KC135 or "vomit comet" is used to conduct experiments during the about 40 short (~20 seconds) periods of weightlessness per flight it
produces by continuously flying parabolas. The T-38 is a twin seat training fighter jet flown by the astronaut pilots to maintain their skills.
The B-57's wings have been extended so it can be used for high altitude atmospheric studies. Through the use of a control computer the
STA can be made to handle like the Shuttle when it is gliding towards landing in order to train the astronaut pilots.
Kennedy
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KSC is America's gateway to space and hosts an average of seven Space
Shuttle launches per year. NASA's fleet of Space Shuttles is housed in the
three Orbiter Processing Facilities on base. It takes about 3 months to
prepare a Shuttle, paylaod and facilities for launch. KSC is home to Space
Shuttle, Space Station and payload ground operations. There are just fewer
than 1900 NASA civil servant employees and about 12,000 contractors (as
of the end of 2001). The major contractors are: Untied Space Alliance which
processes the Space Shuttles for flight; Boeing which performs payload
ground operations processing (PGOC) which is transitioning to the new
Checkout, Assembly, and payload Processing Services (CAPPS) contract;
and SGS which is the Joint-Base Operations Support Contractor (J-BOSC).
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Thousands and thousands of spectators come to witness the Shuttle
launches on base.
Langley
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Langley's primary areas of responsibility concern
Aeronautics research and technology development.
Agency lead for high-speed research; hypersonics;
advanced subsonics; and critical aeronautics disciplines.
Some research and technology development for the
following Space areas: advanced spacecraft concepts,
remote sensing, atmospheric science, and small flight
projects. Engineering and Facilities support, especially
wind tunnels, is another major effort. Technology transfer
and commercialization is being increasingly emphasized,
and a major office has been established to facilitate this.
Marshall
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MSFC is NASA's Center of Excellence for Space Propulsion. As such, MSFC
performs leading edge research in Earth-to-orbit and in-space propulsion systems.
MSFC’s mission areas are Space Transportation Systems Development, Microgravity,
and Space Optics Manufacturing Technology. As part of Space Transportation
Systems Development, Marshall is responsible for all of the primary propulsion
elements of the Space Shuttle. Marshall is the Lead Center for NASA's Space Launch
Initiative Program, intended to support Government and private-sector decisions on
development of a full-scale operational next generation reusable launch system by
2006. In the area of Advanced Space Transportation Technology, MSFC manages the
X-37 Program and develops 3rd Generation reusable launch vehicle technologies.
The Microgravity Research Program Office (MRPO) is responsible for implementing
the Agency’s microgravity initiatives. MRPO accomplishes its mission by providing
program management of research and associated instrumentation, apparatus, and
facilities. The Space Optics Manufacturing Technology Center (SOMTC) is continuing
the development of new technologies for the production of large-aperture, lightweight
optics for space-based systems. SOMTC is managing and evaluating the
development of advanced mirror technologies for use in space based observatories
including the Next Generation Space Telescope and the Constellation X-Ray mission.
Stennis
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Rocket Propulsion Testing
The Propulsion Test Directorate at Stennis Space Center oversees one-of-a-kind national test facilities. SSC is
America's largest rocket test complex and state-of-the-art facilities include the A, B and E Test Complexes,
designed for rocket propulsion testing that ranges from component to engine to stage level.
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Applied Sciences Directorate
The Applied Sciences Directorate at Stennis Space Center plays a key role in NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
Applied science applications use NASA's unique science research results, data, remote sensing and other technical
capabilities to help provide information for better decision-making.
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Technology Development and Transfer
The Technology Development & Transfer Office transfers NASA-developed technologies to the commercial sector
to help improve the economic strength of the United States and quality of life for its citizens.
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Environmental Assurance Program
The NASA Environmental Staff at Stennis Space Center has the responsibility for permitting, compliance and
monitoring activities for all NASA and NASA contractor operations that may affect the environment.
White Sands
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White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) is a
preeminent resource for testing and
evaluating potentially hazardous materials,
space flight components, and rocket
propulsion systems. These services are
available to NASA, the Department of
Defense, other federal agencies,
universities, and commercial industry.