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Streamlining Space Launch Range Safety (2000) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 9-13

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From page 9...
... According to current plans, DoD will be 100 percent reliant on the commercial space launch industry by 2004 when the last heavy-lift Titan IV has been launched and the new Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles are in operation. · NASA has already shifted entirely to commercial launch vehicles for its unmanned launches, and the space shuttle is transitioning to private-sector operation and maintenance.
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From page 10...
... Recognizing the launch ranges as national assets for which the Air Force serves as a steward and rewriting the range mission to put commercial launches on an equal footing with other launches would better align the mission statement with the actual role of the ranges. National Stanclarcis The convergence of existing range safety standards into a single national standard for commercial and government launches could simplify the safety process faced by users who launch from more than one range.
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From page 11...
... or launch-customer contracts and purchases (for commercial launches and government launches obtained through commercial launch service contracts) range equipment, systems, and services to monitor and track space launches and to ensure public safety during launch; commercial customers reimburse the government for the wing's marginal costs of providing these services for each launch .
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From page 12...
... Early in the space program risks were largely unknown, and, as a precaution, isolated areas were selected as launch sites. The range safety program has developed to its present state in response to four factors: increasing range and explosive power of launch vehicles increasing encroachment of civilian populations and municipalities on the launch sites increasing sensitivity to public risk growing concern that a serious accident involving the general public would inhibit important space programs An early goal used to define launch safety standards was to ensure that the public would be subject to no more risk from space launches "than that imposed by the overflight of conventional aircraft" (EWR 127-1, 1997~.
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From page 13...
... In one example cited by Lockheed Martin, the costs of providing a test set to the WR exceeded $1 million. On the positive side, Orbital uses the WR to test all Pegasus FTS boxes regardless of the ultimate launch site, obviating the need for duplicate test facilities and equipment but entailing additional transportation time and expense for launches conducted anywhere except the WR.
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Key Terms

  • space launch
  • commercial space
  • launch sites
  • commercial launches
  • launch vehicles

  • commercial launch
  • national space
  • space launches
  • national standard
  • safety requirements

  • public safety
  • space transportation
  • safety standards
  • lockheed martin
  • mission assurance

  • launch industry
  • government launches
  • launch range
  • force base
  • safety program

  • launch vehicle
  • launch activities
  • space wing
  • safety approval
  • acquisition programs

  • range operators
  • required recertification
  • space wings
  • safety offices
  • safety programs


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