SLTC Update 17Jan 2005

1. The SLTC held its first committee meeting at the AIAA Space 2004 conference. Minutes from this committee meeting are available on the Reference Materials page. Pete Paceley was elected as the vice-chair and Ray Erikson is the Secretary.

2. Mike Snead, SLTC chair, presented the SLTC position paper, “Recommended Government Actions to Address Critical U.S. Space Logistics Needs” to the AIAA Public Policy Committee meeting in Sept 04 in Washington DC with the request that this paper be accepted as an AIAA Position Paper. The Public Policy Committee subsequently reviewed the SLTC position paper and provided comments. Craig Williams, the AIAA Deputy Technical Director responsible for the SLTC within the Space and Missile Systems Group, solicited comments from the other group TCs. Mike Snead also provided an overview discussion of the position paper to space-related, economics, and design TCs meeting at the Space 2004 conference. Corinne Contant, the AIAA staff focal point for AIAA position papers, collected the comments, made the comments anonymous, and forwarded the comments to the SLTC for review and response. Ray Erikson, SLTC secretary, is managing the preparation of the SLTC response with an expected completion date in early Feb 2005. If recommended by the Public Policy Committee, the position paper will then go the Technical Activities Committee for review and acceptance before being sent to the AIAA Board of Directors for final concurrence. This paper is available on the Reference Materials page and is also available on the AIAA public policy page.

3. The SLTC was reorganized at the Jan 04 meeting of the Space and Missile Systems Group. At that time, a change to the SLTC scope was proposed and accepted by the Space Technical Director and attending deputy directors and TC chairs. Final approval of the proposed scope change was made by the AIAA Technical Activities Committee at their meeting in Reno on 13 Jan 05. (Note that the term “charter” was previously used in place of the current term “scope.”)

4. The SLTC sponsored two panel sessions at the AIAA Space 2004 conference. Pete Paceley moderated the first panel which addressed the feasibility of near-term reusable launch vehicles (RLVs). Panel participants included representatives of the Air Force, Boeing, Boeing Rocketdyne, Federal Aviation Administration, Kistler Aerospace, Lockheed-Martin, and Pratt & Whitney. Copies of the Panel 1 presentations are available on the Reference Materials page. Karen Barker moderated the second panel which addressed space logistics infrastructure.

5. Alicia Hartong and Brendan Rooney, Aeronautical Systems Center’s Aerospace Systems Design & Analysis Group (ASC/ENMD) updated conceptual design estimates of near-term RLVs and presented the results at the AIAA Space 2004 conference. The updated paper and presentation are located on the Reference Materials page. Alicia provided a summary of this information at the aforementioned Near-Term RLV Panel discussion.

6. The SLTC has been in contact with the Space Applications Division of the International Society of Logistics (which uses the acronym of SOLE).  In past years SOLE and the AIAA have partnered on activities of shared interest related to space logistics. David Martin, head of the SOLE Space Applications Division, and Andy Evans, chair of the Southwest District have discussed areas of common interest with Mike Snead. (As noted below, Andy has also joined the AIAA and become a member of the SLTC to provide a direct liaison to SOLE.) We hope to establish a formal partnership with SOLE focusing, in the near-term, on space logistics workshops and papers to communicate the value of improving space logistics capabilities and to provide examples of near-term space logistics options.

7. A related item to the initial discussions with SOLE is the potential for the AIAA SLTC and SOLE co-sponsoring a space logistics workshop with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the fall. Andy Evans, through his participation in a MIT-led contract for the new Space Exploration Initiative logistics, is our lead for this proposed workshop. Ray Erikson, chair of the AIAA New England Section, is also working on the AIAA participation both through the New England Section and the SLTC. The tentative title of the workshop is “Interplanetary Supply Chain Management and Logistics Architectures.” We are also discussing a space logistics workshop focusing on near-term space logistics.  These workshops are viewed as excellent recruiting opportunities for the SLTC.

8. AIAA planning for the Space 2005 conference is underway. Our understanding is that the format of the conference is being updated. The SLTC will be contact with the conference planners to determine if and how the SLTC can participate. The SLTC will also be starting to take an advanced look at planning for the Space 2006 conference — looking at a possible increased level of participation. Note that the abstract submittal deadline has een extended to 13 Feb 2005 for the Space 2005 conference.

9. The AIAA has released a position paper “Protecting Earth From Asteroids and Comets.” A copy of this position paper is located on the Reference Materials page as well as on the AIAA main page for public policy. The first recommendation is—”Create an organization within the U.S. government responsible for planetary defense.” Other recommendations address the need for developing mitigation methods, characterizing long-term mission requirements, and conducting flight tests. The SLTC did not participate in the formulation of this position paper. A review of the paper indicates that improved space mobility within the central solar system and in-space logistics support was not mentioned. These are areas where SLTC comments on the paper, perhaps in the form of an SLTC  information paper, would be appropriate.

10. The U.S. government recently released the updated U.S. Space Transportation Policy. This is an update to the 1994 version of this policy. The updated policy, reflecting the growing importance of space to national and homeland security as well as the renewed emphasis on human space exploration, addresses many key issues critical to reinvigorating the U.S. space program at all levels. The policy, however, retains focus “for the foreseeable future” on the continued use of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles while emphasizing continued research and development in technologies for advanced capabilities. Space logistics is not discussed in the policy update. The AIAA is planning to prepare a response. The Space Transportation Technical Committee (STTC) is expected to lead the preparation of this response. The SLTC intends to participate in the preparation of this response with emphasis on the near-term capabilities for reusable spacelift and in-space logistics—key elements, we believe, of a healthy and sustainable space program at all levels. A copy of the updated policy is located on the Reference Materials page.

11. The AIAA Technical Activities Committee has organized a number of “program committees.” These committees focus on funded technology development programs. Two program committees of interest to the SLTC are the RLV Program Committee and the International Space Station Program Committee. The SLTC is interested in working with the RLV Program Committee to support near-term routine reusable spacelift. The ISS Program Committee chair has requested SLTC support for addressing ISS logistics support needs for the 2010+ time period after the Space Shuttle has been stopped.

12. The SLTC has gained two additional members. As discussed above, Andy Evans has joined to provide a liaison with the International Society of Logistics’ Space Applications Division. Andy has significant experience with the ISS and is now working on future space logistics concepts. The second new member is Dave Barnhart, an AIAA Fellow.

SLTC Update 29 Aug 2004

1. The SLTC will hold it’s first committee meeting at the AIAA Space 2004 conference, 28-30 Sep 2004, in San Diego. E-mail Mike Snead at jamesmsnead@aol.com for further details.

2. The SLTC is sponsoring two panels at the AIAA Space 2004 conference in San Diego on 28-30 Sep 2004. Panel 1 will focus on whether industry is today capable of initiating the development of near-term reusable space access systems. Panel members include representatives of The Boeing Co., Boeing Rocketdyne, Kistler Aerospace, Lockheed-Martin, Pratt & Whitney, FAA, and Air Force. Panel 2 will focus on organizing government and industry to undertake the building of the needed near-term space logistics infrastructure capabilities. Both of these panels are on Wed., 29 Sept. with Panel 1 at 1000-1200 and Panel 2 at 1600-1800. A full description of the panels is available at the Space 2004 web site that can be reached through the main AIAA web site at www.aiaa.org.

3. A summary of the SLTC Position Paper “Recommended Government Actions to Address Critical U.S. Space Logistics Needs” was published in the July 2004 issue of Aerospace America in the AIAA News, page B8. The summary was also handed out at the 40th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 11-14 July 2004.

4. The paper “Architecting Rapid Growth in Space Logistics Capabilities” (AIAA 2004-4068) and the accompanying presentation “Example Near-Term, Manned Space Logistics Architecture and Concepts” have been posted to the reference materials section of this web site. Short videos providing example near-term space logistics concepts have also been posted to the reference materials section of this web site.

5. SLTC associate member Barry Hellman has been preparing conceptual designs of several near-term space logistics vehicles. There designs will be incorporated in a paper and presentation to be given at the AIAA Space 2004 conference.

6. Alicia Hartong is preparing an update to the previously published presentation on near-term RLVs. (See the reference materials.) The paper and presentation will also be given at the AIAA Space 2004 conference. Alicia will also be one of the panel members on the first of the two SLTC-sponsored panels at the conference.

7. Mike Snead, SLTC chair, is planning to meet with the AIAA Public Policy Committee in Sept to discuss the SLTC position paper on near-term space logistics capabilities.

8. Ray Erikson is preparing the space logistics year-in-review article for the December issue of Aerospace America.

9. Mike Snead, SLTC chair, has contacted the Space Logistics Panel of the International Society of Logistics Engineers to look into possible cooperative activities between the AIAA and SOLE in the area of space logistics.

10. Jason Held has joined the SLTC as an associate member. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Sidney. He has previously worked on a number of space programs in the United States.

SLTC Update 11 May 2004

1. The SLTC Position Paper “Recommended Government Actions to Address Critical U.S. Space Logistics Needs” is posted to the SLTC web site and is being forwarded to the Moon, Mars & Beyond Commission. This position paper has been reviewed by Dr. George Nield, the AIAA Technical-Director for the Space and Missile Systems Group.

SLTC Update: 22 April 2004       

1. Since getting reorganized in January of this year, the SLTC is off to a good start. We now have 7 members including two liaison members to other AIAA technical committees. However, we still are seeking additional members and, should you find the vision, charter, and planned activities of this committee of interest, please review the membership comments on the “SLTC Membership Information” page. If you have any questions, please contact me at jamesmsnead@aol.com. If you are not an AIAA member, please consider joining the AIAA—we’ve already had one person do this.

2. The SLTC has prepared and forwarded, to the AIAA Space and Missile Systems Group, a position paper recommending actions and providing supporting rationale on steps to be undertaken to meet U.S. space logistics needs. This position paper was reviewed and concurred with by the SLTC members. Additional information on this position paper will be posted in the near future.

3. The SLTC is preparing to sponsor two panel sessions at the AIAA Space 2004 conference in San Diego, CA, in September 2004. The first panel will address the technical readiness of U.S. industry to develop and deploy near-term space logistics capabilities such as two-stage RLVs, super heavy spacelift, in-space mobility, and in-space logistics facilities and support services. The second panel will explore innovative ways to organize Government and industry activities to undertake the building of an integrated space logistics capability. Details of these two panels are still being defined and updates will be posted. Karen Barker and Pete Paceley are the planned moderators for these two panels. Panel participants are still being identified.

4. One of the SLCT activities is to provide example near-term space logistics architectures and related logistics systems and capabilities. The initial posting of such examples has been included in the SLTC Reference Materials.

5. I have been requested to provide a paper and presentation on near-term space logistics at the AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL, July, 2004. The tentative title of the paper/presentation is “Architecting Rapid Growth in Space Logistics Capabilities.”

6. The Moon, Mars and Beyond Commission held a public meeting in Dayton, OH, in early March. At the conclusion of the meeting, the public was offered the opportunity to provide a brief public statement. I was fortunate to be selected. I was not speaking from prepared or written testimony but provided a reflection of what I had heard during the previous two days of testimony.  I took this opportunity to emphasize the need for the commission to address the space logistics needs with emphasis on building a sustainable logistics capability in space.

7. Building a safe, economical, and sustainable space logistics capability is the key to opening the space frontier to expanded human and robotics operations in space. The SLTC is focusing on providing examples of how this can be achieved in the near-term. This year appears to be especially important in helping to create such a future. Get involved. Join the SLTC and show that YOU CARE about becoming a true spacefaring civilization by helping to make it happen.

8. If you can’t remember our web address, just Google (TM) “AIAA space logistics.” You’ll find us.

Mike Snead, P.E.

Chair, SLTC

jamesmsnead@aol.com