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EXPLORATION AND FLIGHT PROJECTS DIRECTORATE
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Directorate Brief Description:
The purpose of Exploration and Flight Projects Directorate (EFPD) is to work in concert with NASA
Headquarters and the rest of the Agency to provide research and technology products and services that
achieve the Agency's Vision for Space Exploration. EFPD will identify opportunities and define
implementation strategies to align Langley Research Center's (LaRC's) aerospace and science
capabilities with future customer needs of NASA Headquarters Exploration Systems and Space Operations
Mission Directorates in support of the President's Exploration Vision. It is also the purpose of EFPD
to strengthen our leadership in all assigned flight and exploration projects, including procedures,
processes, practices, and execution. EFPD will lead all assigned programs and projects for the Center,
including those for Science. The organization will execute all assigned projects for the Center within
the agreed cost, schedule, and technical performance requirements and in compliance with NPR 7120.5.
NASA Crew Exploration Vehicle
Langley Research Center
Next Generation Spacecraft
NASA's new spacecraft, the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), is the key to making the Vision for Space
Exploration a reality. The CEV will use an improved, larger, blunt-body capsule, much like the shape
of the Apollo spacecraft. With an outside diameter of approximately five meters, the spacecraft will
have more than three times the volume of the Apollo capsules. This design will shorten development
time, reduce reentry loads, increase landing stability and permit safe travel for up to six
crewmembers.
The CEV will be able to carry up to six crewmembers, support landings anywhere on the moon's surface
and sustain itself for six months in lunar orbit. Reusability is another important feature since the
number of flights per vehicle is a key cost driver.
During the CEV planning, NASA studied several different kinds of entry vehicles and rockets. NASA
didn't set out to make this vehicle identical to Apollo, though several Apollo era researchers were
consulted. Ultimately, this design was found to meet the requirements while being the most effective
within the safety goals. NASA will launch as early as possible, but no later than 2014. This date is
budget driven.
NASA Langley's Role
Langley is leading the Launch Abort System (LAS) element of the CEV, with NASA Marshall Space Flight
Center being a critically important team member. In this classic Government role, we will work with
the Prime Contractor to deliver a viable system for the Constellation Program flight tests, starting
with pad abort tests as early as December 2008. These early flight tests will use Langley designed
and produced hardware that simulates the outer mold line and mass characteristics of the flight
vehicle system.
For the initial phases of the LAS abort flight testing, Langley is a key member of a multi-center
government flight test article production team. Langley is contributing substantial design,
development, and fabrication civil service personnel and facility resources to produce structural mass
simulators that match outer mold line and mass characteristics of the CEV flight system.
To ensure flyability and survivability of the CEV, Langley is on the team using the latest flight
mechanics tools and computational fluid dynamics codes, in concert with wind tunnels across the
country, to develop ascent and re-entry aerodynamic and aeroheating databases, for both nominal and
abort scenarios. These data include a broad range of vehicle configurations, attitudes, and flight
regimes.
Langley is providing key deliverables for two fast-paced advanced development projects. Our expertise
and facilities in landing and impact dynamics is being applied to the design and preliminary
development of the CEV landing system for safe and reliable contact with the Earth's surface upon
return from the International Space Station or the moon. The thermal protection system heat shield
support structure effort is also under way to prove design, fabrication, and thermal protection system
integration techniques for a large forebody heatshield system that will survive lunar return
velocities.
Additionally, Langley personnel are involved in Vehicle Integration activities, which provide
discipline support to the other CEV elements (Command Module and Service Module) in the areas of
avionics software, displays and controls, guidance, navigation, and control, and structures and
materials.
Organizational Information
The CEV Program Office is assigned to NASA Johnson Space Center. NASA Langley Research Center's CEV
Project Implementation Manager reports directly to the CEV Program Manager at NASA Johnson Space
Center, as does the LAS Manager.
NASA Crew Launch Vehicle
Langley Research Center
Launch System
The Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) will launch the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) to the International
Space Station (ISS) and on future missions to the Moon and Mars. The CLV concept includes a new upper
stage, powered by a Saturn-Rocket-heritage engine and a new 5-segment solid rocket booster (SRB),
derived from the current Space Shuttle SRB.
The CLV will incorporate design features that will significantly enhance safety of the crew; primarily
due to its in-line design and launch abort system. Should conditions warrant, the spacecraft and crew
can separate from the upper stage of the launch vehicle and make a safe landing on land or in water.
NASA Langley's Role
Langley is leading the aerodynamic characterization of the CLV through analysis, scale model design,
and wind-tunnel testing from pre-launch environments through flight, including ascent, first stage
separation, and solid rocket booster recovery. These efforts will require extensive use of many of
Langley's aerodynamic, aerothermodynamic, and aeroelastic test facilities as well as Langley's
engineering expertise in aerodynamics, flight dynamics, computational fluid dynamics, aeroelasticity,
and vehicle analysis.
Langley is leading vehicle integration for the Ascent Development Flight Test (ADFT). The ADFT will
test aspects of the CLV design, including first stage performance, flight controls, aerodynamics, and
booster recovery. Langley also plans to lead engineering design and fabrication of flight test
simulator hardware for the crew module and launch abort system.
Langley is working with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center on additional CLV design and analysis
activities, including support to define structural loads and thermal environments during ascent.
Langley's engineering expertise in structures, materials, and thermal analysis is also supporting the
inclusion of advanced manufacturing and assembly techniques for the CLV and the upper stage
configuration.
Langley's flight test experience, from programs such as the X-43 hypersonic flight demonstration, will
help to define future flight test programs for the CLV that will lead to the final design in support
of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
Organizational Information
The CLV Program Office is assigned to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. NASA Langley Research
Center's CLV Project Implementation Manager reports directly to the CLV Program Manager at NASA
Marshall Space Flight Center.
NASA Constellation Program
Langley Research Center
Constellation Program Office
The Constellation Program Office, located at NASA Johnson Space Center, is responsible for the overall
execution and integration of the program elements, which include the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV),
the Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV), Ground Operations, Mission Operations, and NASA provided systems (e.g.,
Astronauts' suits). The Constellation Program Office has six major directorates to integrate across
the program elements: Program Planning and Control; System Engineering and Integration; Advanced
Projects, Test and Verification; Operations Integration; and Safety, Reliability and Quality
Assurance.
NASA Langley's Role
Langley is supporting the broad areas of System Engineering and Integration (SE&I); Test and
Verification; Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance; and Advanced Projects within the
Constellation Program Offices. In SE&I, Langley is conducting trades and analyses to define the top
level system and flight element requirements, and defining the interfaces between flight elements and
ground system. Langley is a co-lead in the System Integration Group (SIG) performing multi-element
loads analysis, and supports other SIGs in areas of flight performance, software and avionics, and
communications commonality and interoperability.
Langley provides support to the Test and Verification office defining the overall flight test program,
and provides test and verification expertise in areas of flight performance, software and avionics,
and structural testing.
Langley will support the Advanced Projects Office to conduct concept studies of future systems such as
the Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM) and lunar habitats.
Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance support is provided to define the hazards and risks, and how
these are to be mitigated.
Langley is also working with NASA Kennedy Space Center to conduct independent structural/mechanism
analysis of the Crawler Transporter to determine assess its carrying capacity, and supporting the
architecture formulation of the launch site command and control architecture.
Organizational Information
The Constellation Program Office is assigned to NASA Johnson Space Center. NASA Langley Research
Center's Constellation Implementation Manager reports to the directors of the Systems Engineering and
Integration Office, the Test and Verification Office, the Advanced Projects Office, and the Safety,
Reliability and Quality Assurance Office.
Launch Abort System
Langley Research Center
Crew Safety
The Launch Abort System (LAS) will provide an ability to safely separate the Crew Module (CM) from
the Launch Vehicle (LV) and orient the CM such that the CM parachutes will open for a safe landing at
any time during ascent from the launch pad to a point in the trajectory where the Service Module (SM)
can provide abort capability. The LAS will also provide the capability to safely separate the CM from
the LV while on the launch pad and deliver the CM to a point, one statute mile from the launch pad at
an altitude of 4,000 feet to facilitate parachute opening and assure water landing of the CM.
NASA Langley's Role
Langley has the responsibility to lead the design, development, test and evaluation of the Crew
Exploration Vehicle (CEV) Launch Abort System. The LAS team, consisting of members from NASA Centers
including Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and Johnson Space Center
(JSC), will manage the work package for the CEV's LAS development and integration, by providing prime
contractor oversight and performing independent analysis as the government expert for LAS development.
Organizational Information
The CEV Project Office is assigned to JSC. The LAS Manager reports directly to the CEV Project
Manager at JSC and is a member of the CEV management team.
Space and Exploration Research and Technology Program
NASA Langley Research Center
Focused Technology Development Programs
NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) matures technologies to support future human
and robotic exploration missions. The focus is on critical near-term technologies for the Crew
Exploration Vehicle (CEV), the Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV), and the Lunar Precursor and Robotic Program
(LPRP), and on long-lead technologies for lunar sortie missions and lunar outpost. The Exploration
Technology Development Program Office (ETDPO) manages 22 new projects led by NASA Centers formulated
to address Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) technology priorities. NASA's Human Research
Program Office (HRPO) manages research and technology to provide human health and performance
countermeasures, technologies, and tools. The program is divided into six major parts comprised of
related projects and research tasks focused toward products that reduce the highest risks to astronaut
health and performance in support of exploration missions. These technology programs combine elements
of former Exploration Systems and Research Technology (ESRT) & Human Systems Research and Technology
(HSRT) programs.
NASA Langley's Role
Langley's core expertise and facilities in the areas of Systems Analysis, Structures and Materials,
Radiation Physics and Electronics, Entry systems, Reliable Software, and Instrument Technologies
support ETDPO and HRPO and the Agency's Vision for Space Exploration. Langley leads four technology
development projects, and supports another nine, which are lead at different Centers.
Langley leads the Systems Analysis & Technology Assessment project, collaborating with Ames Research
Center (ARC), Glen Research Center (GRC), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Jet Propulsion
Laboratory (JPL), Johnson Space Center (JSC), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and Marshall Space Flight
Center (MSFC). The project is to perform exploration technology investment portfolio assessment as
well as systems engineering and integration.
Langley leads the Structures, Materials, & Mechanisms project, collaborating with GRC, JPL, and MSFC.
The project is to deliver mechanisms for low-temperature operation, including joints, wheels,
gearboxes, drive systems, motors and actuators, and lightweight primary structure for crew
compartments, cryotanks, and habitats.
Langley leads the Supportability project, collaborating with GRC, JSC, KSC, and MSFC. The project is
to deliver flight certified end-to-end manual electronics diagnostic and repair capability, portable
electronic beam fabrication prototype system, flight qualified maintenance procedure display unit,
demonstrated NDE prototype system, and, field demonstrated consumables transfer system
Langley supports ARC leadership of the Ablative Thermal Protection System for CEV, Spacecraft
Autonomy, and Reliable Software projects, JSC leadership of the Autonomous Precision Landing, and
Human-Robotic Systems for Surface Operations projects, and MSFC leadership of the Radiation Hardened
and Low Temperature Electronics, and System Design & Analysis Tools projects.
Langley is the deputy lead for the Space Radiation Program Element of the Human Research Program. In
addition, Langley leads the Integrated Radiation Design Tool Project within the program. The project
provides current state-of-the-art software for minimizing health risk in spacecraft shield design and
operational support. Langley supports the Measurements and Transport Project with the development of
validated deterministic space radiation transport codes.
Organizational Information
The Exploration Technology Development Program Office is located at Langley; the Human Research
Program Office is located at JSC. Langley's Space and Exploration R&T Programs Manager reports to the
director of the Langley Exploration and Flight Projects Directorate.
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