Launchspace Training

Coming from Launchspace: The internationally popular 3 day Course on
Launch Vehicle Systems Design and Engineering
April 7-9, 2010 in Dulles, VA
(See below)

The Free World is Losing NASA's Space Leadership

(A Launchspace edited op-ed piece from Luis A. Loureiro, a retired major from the Uruguayan Army)
 
I carefully read your comments every week and think it's time to share with you an article prepared for Launchspace readers on the subject of U.S. manned space programs. Since I live abroad you may think it’s not appropriate for me to comment on these programs. Nevertheless, NASA is much more than an American tradition and patrimonial treasure; it is the world's hope for better space exploration and understanding.
 
As a consequence of the international financial crisis many countries around the world have decided to drastically reduce their budgets, cutting spending in a myriad of programs from small private activities to large public projects. In the United States, to the astonishment of the world, NASA's budget has been "redirected" to simple LEO applications and some inexpensive research programs. Can this be true? 
 
This is the agency that has contributed most to America's prestige with its innovative and extraordinary achievements in space, from the time of early explorations of the universe to today's highly advanced technological achievements. Is prestige important?
 
Not only is prestige important, it is part of the American tradition, part of American life and by extension, America's preeminence lights the free world and provides hope and support that other nations, too, can shine and succeed.

 
The budget is important for any administration. Traditionally, most countries around the world wait for a signal from America - the scientific and technological leader - and rely upon America to protect their freedoms. Until now, countries pursuing space programs have not competed against America or against each other, but they will now have to continue alone or somehow partner with other countries.
 
Without NASA's leadership, who will guide the world in peaceful space applications?  Without NASA there is a void of experienced leaders well grounded in science. Indeed, we are approaching a new era in which space will be exploited by private, political, economic and military interests - not only in LEO, but also in deep space exploration. Will countries continue along the moral high ground of benefiting all mankind with the fruits of exploration and innovation or will space become a battleground for national greed and gain?
 
America should not decide NASA's future merely on the basis of budgetary expedience. Space exploration is a matter that affects the rights and freedoms of people around the world. The rights and the dreams of many countries are closely tied to NASA, ESA and other recognized space agencies. The rich history of NASA brought the world Voyager 1, Apollo, robots on Mars, Kepler, Cassini-Huygens, Curiosity and so many more.
 
Citizens of foreign countries around the globe hope and pray for a changed view of NASA among America's political leaders. NASA's successes and legacy are not only America's heritage, but that of all free countries. We long to discover new scientific horizons in space that will improve our lives and allow our countries to succeed and to live in a peaceful future.

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Launchspace Announces 
Upcoming Public Course Offerings  

Fundamentals of Satellite Operations: Geostationary Orbit Achievement, Stationkeeping, Debris Avoidance and Station Changes 

A special presentation at Satellite 2010

Gaylord National Convention Center

National Harbor, MD

March 15

This is the interactive seminar that demystifies the workings of satellite operations while entertaining the audience of satellite professionals. Your seminar leader, Dr. Marshall Kaplan, teaches through illustrations, examples and personal lessons learned over the past 40 years. He connects mission types to operational requirements, with special emphasis on geostationary communications satellites. The objective of this seminar is to take each satellite professional on a journey that begins with an explanation of basic satellite operational concepts, through the maze of orbital phenomena and on to today's issues, such as how to deal with space debris. This seminar is uniquely designed for Satellite 2010. Every satellite executive, manager and engineer needs to know how these spacecraft work, and this is the opportunity to learn, discuss and ask questions. The insight and knowledge gained will prove invaluable to all attendees.

 Registration for SATELLITE2010 is handled directly by the SATELLITE2010 Conference

Click here to register 

Launch Vehicle Systems Design and Engineering

April 7-9, 2010

 Dulles, VA

This is an updated special offering of the industry-standard Launch Vehicle Systems Design and Engineering course that has been presented on four continents over the past decade. NASA's Ares I is under attack from many quarters and there is mounting pressure to redesign or replace the future astronaut transporter to the International Space Station and beyond. New launch vehicles such as Taurus II, Falcon 9 and Vega are soon coming on line. Course topics include a comprehensive list of technical and operational details that affect every launch vehicle design. In particular, new vehicle designs are presented in-depth with discussions of challenges and changes that are being addressed. There is no other course that gives this level of knowledge and insight into the international launch vehicle community. Every vehicle system and function is addressed. The course is designed for both the novice and the experienced professional. There is a great deal of misinformation and confusion within the space launch community that this course clarifies. It is up to date and filled with key insights not generally available in any other forum. To reinforce the information, there are several lessons learned discussions injected into the presentations. Attendees will gain a new level of appreciation and knowledge regarding the mystique of space launch.

Click here for course details or click here to register

Launch Vehicle Payload Integration
April 13-15, 2010

 Bethesda, MD

This course offers a detailed look and the launch vehicle payload integration process,  starting at the beginning of a space mission and continuing through launch, with a detailed look at the expendable launch vehicle (ELV) payload and mission integration process. The course educates the attendee on deliverables, schedules, critical  interfaces, requirements and verification management, and describing the roles and responsibilities required of key individuals and organizations involved in a spacecraft  project. The mission integration systems engineering process is explored and the launch campaign including ground processing and critical events leading up to launch are discussed. Understanding and managing the critical  interfaces, data, deliverables, schedules and requirements that the successful integration manager must implement are explored in detail. The significant technical content available in the Launch Vehicle Payload Planners guides is explored with detailed explanations offered to specific questions raised during the class.  Mission integration challenges and solutions implemented imposed by payload supplied solid motors, upper stages and ground processing for  nuclear and conventional payload integration are briefly described. At the conclusion of this course, the attendee will have a clear, end-to-end understanding of the launch vehicle payload mission integration  process and insight into how to successfully execute this critical spacecraft  engineering effort.

Click here for course details or click here to register 

Space Vehicle Mechanisms: Special Edition

Special Two Day Edition 

May 10-11, 2010

 Cocoa Beach, FL

This accelerated and concentrated two-day version of the standard three-daycourse explores the technologies required for the successful design of moving mechanical assemblies in the space environment and offers a detailed look at many of the key components common to most mechanisms, such as ball bearings, motors and feedback devices. With this background, the high-performance materials required for operation in space are reviewed, emphasizing compatibility with the space environment and offering some background in the metallurgy, chemistry, and fabrication of those materials. Examples of some of the many types of mechanism will be included for illustration. In addition, the mechanisms relationship and interface with other vehicle systems will be explored, as a mechanism usually becomes an important part of the vehicles structural, thermal, contamination, survivability, and pointing subsystems. The course includes design and analysis examples to demonstrate the principles involved in understanding how mechanisms should work, and how design margins should be evaluated during the evolution of a program. Finally, some important underlying techniques, such as reliability analysis and digital simulation, are covered.

Click here for course details or click here to register