Reducing the Costs of Space Science Research Missions Proceedings of a Workshop (1997) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
APPENDIX D: SUMMARY OF WORKING GROUP REPORTS
APPENDIX D: SUMMARY OF WORKING GROUP REPORTS
Pages 60-68
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 60... ...
They emphasized that, during the mission definition phase, each project should develop a clearly defined set of mission goals, an explicit definition of the criteria for mission success, and an agreed-on definition of "acceptable" science. During this early study phase, the project management should formulate an operational concept that will be updated continuously for the life of the program.
|
From page 61... ...
NASA project management should participate actively in Memorandum of Agreement definition rather than have agreements dictated. Experience gained regarding the performance of international partners and NASA's own performance in meeting international agreements should be retained for performance evaluation, and NASA should be provided assistance in bridging the cultural gaps that cause miscommunications and hinder development of a close operating team.
|
From page 62... ...
62 REDUCING THE COSTS OF SPACE SCIENCE RESEARCH MISSIONS TABLE D-1 Mars Program Infrastructure Candidates Candidate Infrastructure Benefit to Mission or Program Program Risk/Lien Long-life surface beacon, passive corner reflector, or active radio beacon Mars GPSa Areosynchronous communications relay orbiter In situ propellant manufacture Surface power utility Reusable mission elements Surface reference point for Little or none location/navigation by future surface rovers, airplanes, balloons, landers Simple test of ability to sustain long-term surface operations (dust, other environmental issues) Precise navigation aid for surface and in-air operations Reduce antenna size and power requirements for landers by supplying downlink relay Decouples propulsion requirements and sizing for outbound and return transfers Early use of indigenous resources increases knowledge base for human exploration to come Reduce or eliminate need to build power generation/collection into every surface explorer; global coverage if implemented as power beaming from orbit May increase power available to surface investigations Amortize development costs over multiple uses, longer lifetimes More elements for operations to manage More complex data downlink path, subject to significant degradation by failure of the link Increase in data volume demand could exceed relay's as-built capacity More ATDb effort Increased risk for first implementing mission, unless it is a technology demonstrator Significantly more ATD dollars to bring to operational status Probably increases need for autonomous operation aGPS Global Positioning System bATD advanced technology development.
|
From page 63... ...
Near to mid-term Lowers cost of some hardware elements Adds development and operations complexity Overall mission impact not clear Overall program impact potential is very high Dedicated Mid- to long-term Increased program investment Lower per-mission costs and/or more flexibility and capability for science Overall program impact potential is very high n.a. Varies by element Moderate reductions in hardware development and fabrication Probably applies to selected .
|
From page 64... ...
The government has constrained the ability to trade instrument costs against spacecraft and launch vehicles, and minimal dollars are available for the development of key instruments. After citing examples of potentially more cost-effective options that had been precluded by the imposed constraints, the working group suggested a better approach to meeting mission requirements that would include · creation of a new, single, open procurement · application of acquisition reform principles (i.e., tell potential offerors "what" is required, not "how" to do it)
|
From page 65... ...
The group defined a good policy environment by the following characteristics and conditions: · stability a bad stable policy is sometimes better than a good unstable one fluctuating budgets and policy changes are examples of instabilities that negatively impact program costs sensitivity to and involvement of the public and the science communityNASA has a clear mandate to publicize space science to ensure that the public truly agrees that NASA is promoting national interests · information (public relations) on projects · clear statement of policy · policy incorporating research strategy and thrusts · policy tied to defined national theme or mission · allowance for and encouragement, but not mandate for, international and Department of Defense cooperation and cost sharing · program flexibility in choosing launch systems, operations structure, technologies, etc.; selection of the best for the program .
|
From page 66... ...
The group also included instrument advanced technology development and a contingency budget. The group identified the most important factors in reducing Windstar mission costs as instrument advanced technology development, leverage of commercial systems, alternative launch vehicle options, and maximum use of existing infrastructure.
|
From page 67... ...
Although many options for performing the required science at a lower cost appeared feasible, only a handful of options applied to all three sets of requirements. The most widely applicable options were use of an off-the-shelf bus, use of a low-cost launch vehicle, piggybacking the mission on a communications satellite, outsourcing the ground segment, and reevaluating the requirements.
|
From page 68... ...
The group found that ground operations, data analysis, and distribution systems are all areas of potential future savings. They also agreed that the "cost of quality" or process issues should be addressed in all elements of space missions and infrastructure and suggested full cost accounting as a possible metric.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.