1. NASA Technology Roadmaps ATK Commentary
Stan Graves
Vice President, Science & Engineering
ATK Propulsion Systems
March 23 – 24, 2011

2. Assessment Guidelines and Assumptions:
Next generation heavy lift vehicles will employ both liquid and solid propulsion elements to optimize reliability, performance and cost.
Assessment evaluated:
Total propulsion system performance and reliability
Ground processing timelines
Launch delays
Intended key messages:
All next generation heavy lift vehicles will employ both liquid and solid propulsion elements to maximize both performance and cost.
Current issues with delays may lead to more of a focus on non-solid propellant systems. As ground operations timelines are similar for the different propulsion systems it is necessary to address all propulsion systems to get a cycle time benefit.
The NASA study effectively identifies key technologies.
Conclusion: ATK endorses NASA technology roadmap and provides guidance for priority and emphasis

3. Heavy Lift Vehicles Use Both Liquids and Solids
Intended key messages
All next generation heavy lift vehicles will employ both liquid and solid propulsion elements to maximize both performance and cost.
Current issues with delays may lead to more of a focus on non-solid propellant systems. As ground operations timelines are similar for the different propulsion systems it is necessary to address all propulsion systems to get a cycle time benefit.
The NASA study effectively identifies key technologies.
All of today’s heavy lift vehicles use a combination of liquids and solids.
The majority of tomorrow’s commercial vehicles of all sizes will also combine solids and liquids

4. Solid/Liquid Combination is not a Coincidence
Improved Reliability
Solid propulsion performance and high reliability increases likelihood of crew survival – optimal designs reduce “lofting” and eliminate “black out” zones
Intended key messages:
All next generation heavy lift vehicles will employ both liquid and solid propulsion elements to maximize both performance and cost.
Current issues with delays may lead to more of a focus on non-solid propellant systems. As ground operations timelines are similar for the different propulsion systems it is necessary to address all propulsion systems to get a cycle time benefit.
The NASA study effectively identifies key technologies.
The Solid/Liquid combination is not just a coincidence– it is a result of the physics, economics, and programmatics of the launch vehicle industry

5. Solids Optimum for First Stage, Liquids Optimal for Upper Stage
Intended key messages:
All next generation heavy lift vehicles will employ both liquid and solid propulsion elements to maximize both performance and cost.
Current issues with delays may lead to more of a focus on non-solid propellant systems. As ground operations timelines are similar for the different propulsion systems it is necessary to address all propulsion systems to get a cycle time benefit.
The NASA study effectively identifies key technologies.
Solids optimize first stage performance (density Isp). Liquids optimize Upper stage performance (Isp). Hybrids are somewhere in between.

6. Space Shuttle Ground Processing Timelines
Intended key messages:
All next generation heavy lift vehicles will employ both liquid and solid propulsion elements to maximize both performance and cost.
Current issues with delays may lead to more of a focus on non-solid propellant systems. As ground operations timelines are similar for the different propulsion systems it is necessary to address all propulsion systems to get a cycle time benefit.
The NASA study effectively identifies key technologies.
Investments in both liquid and solid propulsion ground process technologies are prudent since launch operations timelines are virtually identical

7. Length of Launch Delays
Shuttle Launch Delays
*NASA estimates that each scrub costs $500,000 in lost fuel, and $700,000 to pay for the extra workforce needed for launch attempts (ref: Space.com). The STS costs about $200M/month operate (ref: Augustine report).
Length of Launch Delays
Cost of Launch Delays*
Intended key messages:
All next generation heavy lift vehicles will employ both liquid and solid propulsion elements to maximize both performance and cost.
Current issues with delays may lead to more of a focus on non-solid propellant systems. As ground operations timelines are similar for the different propulsion systems it is necessary to address all propulsion systems to get a cycle time benefit.
The NASA study effectively identifies key technologies.
Technology investments should address overarching system level issues that contribute to launch delays.
Solid propulsion reliability makes it an attractive element of a highly dependable architecture.

8. Assessment of Ground Processing & Propulsion Technologies
Items in RED are in the roadmaps at a “lesser” level. ATK recommends elevating the priority level of these items to have equal consideration to the other items on this list.
Electric TVC
Advanced launch abort and range safety
Advanced pyrotechnic systems
Solar thermal propulsion, solar electric propulsion, and air breathing propulsion
Intended key messages:
The red items on the bottom are very important to a more efficient launch vehicle and, while in the TA01, may not have the same priority we would recommend
Many of the technologies are applicable to solids and liquids as long as the technology focus includes the specific considerations for SRMs. Make sure technology focus is broad enough . (This message is talked as colored dots show up reflecting solid/liquid dual benefits)
Many of the technologies will benefit commercial (as represented by Liberty) or HLV, however, not all of them. (This is represented by the red ovals). Those tend to be more long term and might have a slightly different focus (start with lower TRLs so we can get a bigger change rather than attempting to do fairly mature technology work to get it in the pipeline sooner).
We recommend the near and midterm benefit items be explored for TRL levels of 3 -4 rather than 1 – 2 to get maximum benefit.
We recommend prioritized funding of the near and mid-term items.

9. ATK Assessment of Ground Processing and Vehicle Technologies
The majority of the technologies can benefit commercial vehicles or heavy lift.
Many benefit both solids and liquids.
Recommend higher TRL (4-6) focus for these.
Intended key messages:
The red items on the bottom are very important to a more efficient launch vehicle and, while in the TA01, may not have the same priority we would recommend
Many of the technologies are applicable to solids and liquids as long as the technology focus includes the specific considerations for SRMs. Make sure technology focus is broad enough . (This message is talked as colored dots show up reflecting solid/liquid dual benefits)
Many of the technologies will benefit commercial (as represented by Liberty) or HLV, however, not all of them. (This is represented by the red ovals). Those tend to be more long term and might have a slightly different focus (start with lower TRLs so we can get a bigger change rather than attempting to do fairly mature technology work to get it in the pipeline sooner).
We recommend the near and midterm benefit items be explored for TRL levels of 3 -4 rather than 1 – 2 to get maximum benefit.
We recommend prioritized funding of the near and mid-term items.

10. ATK Assessment of Ground Processing and Vehicle Technologies
Highlighted technologies are not applicable to commercial vehicles primarily because of technology / implementation readiness levels.
Recommend lower TRL (1-3) focus for these, with focus on heavy lift applications.
Intended key messages:
The red items on the bottom are very important to a more efficient launch vehicle and, while in the TA01, may not have the same priority we would recommend
Many of the technologies are applicable to solids and liquids as long as the technology focus includes the specific considerations for SRMs. Make sure technology focus is broad enough . (This message is talked as colored dots show up reflecting solid/liquid dual benefits)
Many of the technologies will benefit commercial (as represented by Liberty) or HLV, however, not all of them. (This is represented by the red ovals). Those tend to be more long term and might have a slightly different focus (start with lower TRLs so we can get a bigger change rather than attempting to do fairly mature technology work to get it in the pipeline sooner).
We recommend the near and midterm benefit items be explored for TRL levels of 3 -4 rather than 1 – 2 to get maximum benefit.
We recommend prioritized funding of the near and mid-term items.

11. Integrated vehicle health management:
ATK Assessment of Ground Processing and Vehicle Technologies
Integrated vehicle health management:
More than just the health of the liquid systems:
Solid rocket motor vehicle health management for composites, for logistics, for propellants , for joints and seals, for pyrotechnics…
Electric TVC
Electric TVC lends itself to a propulsion and power control type system, and enables launch processing efficiencies / synergies
Intended key messages:
The red items on the bottom are very important to a more efficient launch vehicle and, while in the TA01, may not have the same priority we would recommend
Many of the technologies are applicable to solids and liquids as long as the technology focus includes the specific considerations for SRMs. Make sure technology focus is broad enough . (This message is talked as colored dots show up reflecting solid/liquid dual benefits)
Many of the technologies will benefit commercial (as represented by Liberty) or HLV, however, not all of them. (This is represented by the red ovals). Those tend to be more long term and might have a slightly different focus (start with lower TRLs so we can get a bigger change rather than attempting to do fairly mature technology work to get it in the pipeline sooner).
We recommend the near and midterm benefit items be explored for TRL levels of 3 -4 rather than 1 – 2 to get maximum benefit.
We recommend prioritized funding of the near and mid-term items.

12. Domestic Sourcing of SRM Materials:
ATK Assessment of Ground Processing and Vehicle Technologies
Domestic Sourcing of SRM Materials:
These technologies should include manufacturability considerations for the entire motor:
Advanced robotics suitable for low volume, high precision, propellant and ordnance operations
Certified tooling or processes that enable certification of key characteristics without redundant inspections
Automated factory models (anthropomorphic /ergonomic) that include QD and logistics considerations specific to the SRM industry
Intended key messages:
The red items on the bottom are very important to a more efficient launch vehicle and, while in the TA01, may not have the same priority we would recommend
Many of the technologies are applicable to solids and liquids as long as the technology focus includes the specific considerations for SRMs. Make sure technology focus is broad enough . (This message is talked as colored dots show up reflecting solid/liquid dual benefits)
Many of the technologies will benefit commercial (as represented by Liberty) or HLV, however, not all of them. (This is represented by the red ovals). Those tend to be more long term and might have a slightly different focus (start with lower TRLs so we can get a bigger change rather than attempting to do fairly mature technology work to get it in the pipeline sooner).
We recommend the near and midterm benefit items be explored for TRL levels of 3 -4 rather than 1 – 2 to get maximum benefit.
We recommend prioritized funding of the near and mid-term items.

13. Conclusion
Application of both liquid and solid propulsion elements are necessary to optimize the overall system
Reliability
Performance
Cost
The majority of the technologies identified can benefit both commercial vehicles or heavy lift vehicles
Most benefit both solids and liquids

14. ATK Assessment of Ground Processing and Vehicle Technologies
Questions?