. 24/7 Space News .
SPACEWAR
Air Force Eastern Range innovates, expedites access to space
by 1st Lt. Amanda Herman, 45th Space Wing Public Affairs
Patrick AFB FL (SPX) Feb 28, 2017


The Autonomous Flight Safety System first flew from the Eastern Range on SpaceX's Falcon 9 CRS-10 Feb. 19, 2017. The use of AFSS reduces range space lift costs through reductions in range equipment maintenance and upgrades. Image courtesy photo by SpaceX. For a larger version of this image please go here.

The U.S. Air Force has been breaking barriers since 1947, and this year is no exception with the implementation of the Autonomous Flight Safety System.

The Eastern Range has supported more than 3,500 launches to date. With more stakeholders demanding access to space, both the Eastern and the Western Ranges were faced with developing innovative solutions to launch rockets without compromising public safety while accounting for aging infrastructure and recognizing that the wing has fewer resources and personnel accomplishing comparable and greater launch rates than before.

AFSS provides the capability to not only reduce reliance on aging range infrastructure, but enhances the ability to support more launches by expediting range turnaround times with more stringent safety standards and fewer people on console while reducing overall launch costs.

A self-contained, independent system mounted to the launch vehicle, AFSS determines if the launch vehicle poses an unacceptable hazard to people or property by using pre-established, programmed mission rules developed by Range Safety Flight Analysts.

These configurable software-based rules are reliant on redundant flight processors using data from Global Positioning System and inertial measurement unit navigation sensors. If necessary, AFSS has the ability to destroy the rocket to ensure public safety. This system is crucial to increase overall range throughput to keep pace with the growing demands for providing assured access to space.

"Air Force Space Command partners with industry to advance our space capabilities. AFSS allows us to increase the pace of launch, reduce costly infrastructure and more rapidly build a resilient space enterprise. These benefits will be felt globally," said General Jay Raymond, Air Force Space Command commander.

"It assures access to space while maintaining public safety."

AFSS provides greater positive control in flight further downrange with a faster response time. It also increases over-the-horizon capability, which means there's no longer limitations by ground equipment line-of-sight.

AFSS also supports multiple objects in simultaneous flight, which is crucial as companies build rockets with the intention to land multiple boosters simultaneously. This changes the expectation for legacy and new entrant companies of the space launch industry to implement AFSS at the earliest possible date.

"Our role to ensure public safety during launches using this system is unchanged," said 45th Space Wing Chief Engineer Howard Schindzielorz. "Our Flight Termination System requirements still apply for design, test, operational performance and reliability. We still develop the mission rules to provide public safety, but the system works with mission rule data files loaded into the on-board AFSS units. This essentially shifts the workload to the front-end of the launch process."

AFSS also increases launch availability due to fewer instrumentation requirements.

"Implementing AFSS on future launch operations allows us to increase our flexibility, adaptability and efficiency while providing more launch opportunities and greater public safety without having to add additional people," said Brig. Gen. Wayne R. Monteith, 45th Space Wing commander. "These changes will not only simplify ground support requirements thereby increasing launch on-time probability, but substantially reduce launch costs."

By changing the legacy range operations paradigm, the use of AFSS reduces range space lift costs through reductions in range equipment maintenance and upgrades. It negates the need for operation, maintenance, and sustainment of extensive real-time software and redundant hardware ground systems as well as multiple training programs.

AFSS also eliminates the costs of requirements needed for non-AFSS launches to include Uninterruptible Power Supplies, ground-system software, Independent Validation and Verification and testing equipment.

"Complete cost savings for the ranges and users can be realized when all range users implement AFSS," said Maj. Allan Fonseca, Chief of Range, Policy and Procedure at Air Force Space Command.

The first operational use of AFSS was the successful SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS-10 launch from Space Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Feb. 19, 2017. Adding to the complexity of that mission was the return of a first-stage booster landing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station minutes following the launch.

"AFSS implementation was another historic and innovative first for the 45th Space Wing and the Eastern Range," said Monteith. "It proved our team's ability to meet evolving range demands and clearly demonstrates our commitment to meeting our mission partner's needs."

With more stakeholders demanding access to space, both the Eastern and Western Ranges will begin to launch at unprecedented rates, with the 45th Space Wing driving toward delivering a schedule that launches 48 missions a year by 2020.

SPACEWAR
AFCENT Airmen fight from ultimate high ground
Al Udeid Air Bas, Qatar (AFNS) Feb 15, 2017
As adversaries and challenges evolve in dynamic battlefields across the globe, U.S. service members from U.S. Air Forces Central Command are using cutting-edge technology to support and defend joint and coalition warfighters. Before combatants meet on the battlefield, a war occurs in a domain where Airmen from space-centric career fields bring a global network of assets and experts togethe ... read more

Related Links
Patrick Air Force Base
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


Comment on this article using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SPACEWAR
Russian cargo ship docks with space station

Russia to carry out tourist flights around Moon by 2022

NASA selects proposals for first-ever Space Technology Research Institutes

NASA saves energy and water with new modular supercomputing facility

SPACEWAR
Spacex To Send Privately Crewed Dragon Spacecraft Beyond The Moon Next Year

Sounding Rocket Flies in Alaska to Study Auroras

SpaceX cargo ship arrives at space station

SpaceX cargo ship aborts rendezvous with space station

SPACEWAR
NASA mulls putting astronauts on deep space test flight

Opportunity leaving crater rim for the Plains of Meridiani

Scientists say Mars valley was flooded with water not long ago

Researchers pinpoint watery past on Mars

SPACEWAR
China to launch first high-throughput communications satellite in April

Chinese cargo spacecraft set for liftoff in April

China looks to Mars, Jupiter exploration

China's first cargo spacecraft to leave factory

SPACEWAR
Kacific places order with Boeing for a high throughput satellite

ESA affirms Open Access policy for images, videos and data

Iridium Announces Target Date for Second Launch of Iridium NEXT

Italy, Russia working closely on Mars exploration, Earth monitoring satellites

SPACEWAR
Raytheon gets contract for Silent Knight radar systems

Kelvin Hughes to provide SharpEye radars for U.K. OPVs

Terma partner wins Indian radar contract

Two radar eyes are better than one

SPACEWAR
Does Pluto Have The Ingredients For Life?

Ancient microbes push limits of what life can survive on Earth, and off

Prediction: More gas-giants will be found orbiting Sun-like stars

From Rocks, Evidence of a 'Chaotic Solar System'

SPACEWAR
Juno to remain in current orbit at Jupiter

Europa Flyby Mission Moves into Design Phase

NASA receives science report on Europa lander concept

New Horizons Refines Course for Next Flyby









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.