. 24/7 Space News .
ROCKET SCIENCE
Kennedy's Multi-User Spaceport Streamlines Commercial Launches
by Frank Ochoa-Gonzales for KSC News
Kennedy Space Center FL (SPX) Mar 15, 2017


NASA's Kennedy Space Center is a multi-user spaceport capable of handling the needs of a variety of companies from launch processing through recovery. The Space Coast continues as the nation's primary launch base for manned space flight testament to the past and a steppingstone to a new era of exploration and utilization of the solar system for the benefit of all humanity. Image courtesy NASA. For a larger version of this image please go here.

In the past, launch pads were used almost exclusively for government missions. To support a growing private sector space economy, NASA's Kennedy Space Center has transformed to a multi-user spaceport capable of handling the needs of a variety of companies from launch processing through recovery.

NASA, the FAA, and Air Force Space Command provide diverse launch operations, government and commercial, enabled by the Commercial Space Launch Act. These agencies are working together to simplify the steps to certify commercial launches from Kennedy Space Center's multi-user spaceport.

"We want to drive innovation in the launch and space exploration fields, and that innovation can be balanced on the private side with adjustments on our end," said Janet Petro, deputy director of Kennedy Space Center "That's why we are taking this opportunity to examine all of the government requirements and eliminate those that are not necessary. We will maintain safety, but if there are requirements that are unnecessary, then no one benefits."

Kennedy does not levy any additional licensing requirements beyond the minimum for commercial launch operations, Petro explained.

"It's been a process that has educated a lot of people in the Air Force and NASA about how commercial operations on Kennedy property can work," said Petro, referring to the dialogue among the Air Force, FAA and NASA regarding government cooperation supporting industry.

Additionally, NASA's Launch Services Program, which procures launch vehicles for NASA spacecraft, has developed processes to shorten the path to launch in recent years as the industry and government work toward making launch processes more efficient and cost effective.

The interagency approach states there should be one process that will benefit the customer for commercial missions from Kennedy Space Center - that of the FAA. Although Kennedy will independently manage launch schedules and risks associated with hazardous operations, the center also will coordinate with the 45th Space Wing by providing it with prelaunch information so that the launch safety responsibilities of all parties are satisfied.

"We have agreements with our commercial partners for operations on Kennedy, but if the mission includes landing or recovery service from the 45th Space Wing, the partner would develop a separate agreement with the Air Force," said Petro.

"We have solidified our relationships with the Air Force and the FAA, clarified roles and responsibilities among all three agencies, and have emphasized that the FAA licensing process is the single process that Kennedy's commercial partners must use to satisfy their launch licensing obligations."

Last year, Florida's spaceport supported 23 launches and expects an even greater number of launches in the next few years.

ROCKET SCIENCE
Space squadron supports record-breaking satellites launch
Eglin AFB FL (SPX) Mar 07, 2017
The 20th Space Control Squadron's Charlie Crew successfully tracked India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Feb. 15. Loaded with 104 satellites, the Indian PSLV set the record for the most spacecraft launched by a single rocket. "This launch is important because we want to ensure our national assets aren't impacted," said Lt. Col. Raj Agrawal, 20th SPCS commander. "Part of our role in space super ... read more

Related Links
Kennedy Space Center
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.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

ROCKET SCIENCE
Visions of the Future: Planetary Exploration Through 2050

Campaign Tests Parachutes Designed to Provide Astronauts a Soft Landing

Keeping Liquids Off the Wall

Space Tourism and Business Looking Up

ROCKET SCIENCE
Designing new rocket engines that don't blow up

Space squadron supports record-breaking satellites launch

Europe launches fourth Earth monitoring satellite

Elon Musk: tech dreamer reaching for sun, moon and stars

ROCKET SCIENCE
Opportunity Driving South to Gully

Paleolake deposits on Mars might look like sediments in Indonesia

NASA Mars Orbiter Tracks Back-to-Back Regional Storms

New evidence for a water-rich history on Mars

ROCKET SCIENCE
China Develops Spaceship Capable of Moon Landing

China Seeks Space Rockets Launched from Airplanes

China to launch 6-8 latest navigation satellites in 2017

Long March-7 Y2 ready for launch of China's first cargo spacecraft

ROCKET SCIENCE
UK funding space entrepreneurs

Kymeta and Intelsat announce new service to revolutionize how satellite services are purchased

ISRO Makes More Space for Private Sector Participation in Satellite Making

Kuwait Space Agency - a pipedream or reality

ROCKET SCIENCE
Orbiting in sunshine

Cancer-Causing Radiation Biggest Threat to Humans on Deep Space Missions

Conquering metal fatigue

Polymer-coated silicon nanosheets - an alternative to graphene

ROCKET SCIENCE
Light From An Ultra-Cool Neighbor

Kepler Provides Another Peek at Ultra-cool Neighbor

Hunting for giant planet analogs in our own backyard

Faraway Planet Systems Are Shaped Like the Solar System

ROCKET SCIENCE
Juno Captures Jupiter Cloudscape in High Resolution

NASA Mission Named 'Europa Clipper'

Juno to remain in current orbit at Jupiter

Europa Flyby Mission Moves into Design Phase









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.