Abstract
This proposal will describe the design of the ASCI 490 research project that will be completed. The research project itself is titled: “Analyzing the History of Spaceflight: From Sputnik to SpaceX.” This proposal will include descriptions of the Project Outcomes and how the student intends to fulfill them. The 14 project outcomes are dictated by Embry Riddle University. The student intends to produce a coherent, informative research project that will analyze the history of spaceflight. This will include an evaluation of the technical aspects of space launch, payloads, orbital dynamics, and environmental difficulties, including on the human body, and how technological advancements have changed to allow larger payloads, cheaper launches, and faster transit. The project will also include an evaluation of the international regulations governing the use of space, whether by nations or private organizations. The purpose of this proposal is to outline how the final research project aligns with the Project Outcomes with regard to an explicit evaluation of spaceflight.
Analyzing the History of Spaceflight: From Sputnik to SpaceX
The fundamental purpose of this paper is to demonstrate to Embry Riddle University, the student’s skill and understanding of the 11 Project Outcomes. This is an individual research project for the Bachelor of Science: Aeronautics degree program.
This project is an evaluation of the technical advancements of spaceflight throughout its history. It will include important and relevant milestones going back to Dr. Robert Goddard and his early liquid fueled rockets, through today, and into the near future. It is necessary to evaluate the history of rocket science to understand how much has changed and how difficult that change was, or in some cases, how easy. Space exploration has consistently been at the leading edge of innovation. One can understand the level of a civilization’s technological understanding by analyzing the most cutting edge technology that that civilization mastered. Historians can study the level of universal understanding of the Roman Empire by studying the Roman’s use of roads, physics, and measurement. This project intends to provide an evaluation of the history of human spaceflight and why its importance has changed over the decades. It was once a sign to the world of the technological prowess of a nation but has evolved into a necessary capability for science and business. This project will also evaluate the technical capabilities of rockets and aerospace vehicles, satellite dynamics, and the human condition in space. In order to accurately produce an informative product, the student will gather vast amounts of data available on rocket science and engineering, evaluate tradeoffs in technology
(e.g. kerosene-based [RP-1] vs hydrogen-based [LOX-hydrogen]), evaluate the return on investment for commercial space flight, and interpret any legislation that involved space.
Critical Thinking
“The student will show evidence of knowledge at a synthesis level to define and solve problems within professional and personal environments” (ERAU, 2015, pp. 12).
Critical thinking involves the student’s ability to skillfully conceptualize, apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information. The student will explain the reasoning for collaboration between scientists and engineers in the advancement of rocket engine design. The student will collect information as to demonstrate the rocket design process, which requires information on specific engine and rocket parameters and requirements. This information will provide an excellent foundation in assessing rocket and orbit designs and will enable the student to assess the success of the mission. NASA provides the vast majority of the specific design characteristics of the rockets and payloads it launches. ROSCOSMOS, the Russian equivalent of NASA, provides their data.
“The student will show evidence of the use of digitally-enabled technology & analysis techniques to interpret data for the purpose of drawing valid conclusions and solving associated problems” (ERAU, 2015, pp. 14).
Quantitative reasoning develops the student’s skills in interpreting, understanding, and using quantitative information through a mathematical literacy lens. The student will demonstrate the understanding of quantitative reasoning by leveraging digitally-enabled technology such as Microsoft Excel to show analysis results and interpret data from different spacecraft designs and return on investment (ROI) calculations. The student will also present critical mathematical equations and ideas, then demonstrate their use. To do this, the student will gather spacecraft parameters such as engine thrust, specific impulse (Isp), payload weight, and required orbit altitude for technical analysis and financial reports for ROI analysis. Spacecraft specifics are available from NASA, ROSCOSMOS, and private financial information is available from the corporations’ annual reports. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) resources will also be leveraged heavily.
“The student will show evidence of meaningful research, including gathering information from primary and secondary sources and incorporating and documenting source material in their writing” (ERAU, 2015, pp. 15).
Information literacy requires the student to recognize when information is needed and to have the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information. The student will provide evidence through the proper use and recognition of legitimate sources and references to interpret issues pertaining to the use of space, and in accordance with the American Psychological Association, 6th Ed. These sources will be from current and past financial reports from the facility, using articles, textbooks, and scholarly journals through the Hunt Library and related websites. The student will use textbooks and journal sources and reiterate concepts to outline to explain process outcomes. The student will use company website information to incorporate the ideology of the project and document conclusions supported by factual evidence.
“The student will show evidence of communicating concepts in written, digital, and oral forms to present technical and non-technical information” (ERAU, 2015, pp. 16).
Communication is the successful transmission of ideas in an elegant and digestible way for the audience. The student will communicate the written process that follows the American Psychological Association, 6th Ed., by using Microsoft Word and good grammar. The student will explain spacecraft dynamics using a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. The student will be using Microsoft Excel, Power Point, and Word to collate reports, charts, graphs, and data to help explain the process of attaining a successful space program. The student will also be available for questions.
“The student will show evidence of analyzing scientific evidence as it relates to the physical world and its interrelationship with human values and interests” (ERAU, 2015, pp. 18).
Scientific literacy is the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes. The student will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific literacy with the assessment of orbital mechanics issues that are major factors in rocket and satellite design and by providing understandable explanations along with illustrations. This project will leverage Keplerian orbital motion vice Newtonian orbital motion. This is because Newtonian motion provides only slight, but still important, refinements to Kepler’s laws of motion and will not be necessary for the purposes of this project (Curtis 2005). Demonstration of scientific literacy will include assessments of orbit selections, analyses of engine designs, and an evaluation of human physiology while in orbit. Sources of this information such as H.D. Curtis’s Orbital mechanics for engineering students will be necessary and NASA, AIAA sources will provide additional support. The original forms of Kepler’s laws are found in his Astronomia nova and Newton’s are found in his Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
“The student will show evidence of the analysis of historic events, cultural artifacts and
philosophical concepts” (ERAU, 2015, pp. 18).
Cultural literacy is the knowledge, application, and impact of the events and science that are investigated in this project. The student will assess the historical events of spaceflight, to include early launch vehicles and satellites, early human spaceflight, and mishaps in order demonstrate the impact on both the scientific community and the American culture. Other events include significant commercial technical milestones, and international treaties and litigation. This project intends to provide an evaluation of the history of human spaceflight and why its importance has changed over the decades. It was once a sign to the world of the technological prowess of a nation but has evolved into a necessary capability for science and business. This history is widely available through NASA along with the Smithsonian.
“The student will show evidence of the skills needed to enrich the quality of life through activities which enhance and promote lifetime learning” (ERAU, 2015, pp. 20).
Lifelong personal growth demonstrates how the individual’s personal experience in this area of study has aided the student in acquiring skills and knowledge. The culmination of this experience will be demonstrated by the convergence of multiple areas of study into this project. This project intends to inform future aviation and engineering students in their research and potential changing career interest. This project will assess how the value of knowledge and skills that were learned from this program impact this project and their requirements for individuals to operate and any of the facets of the space industry. The student’s completion of this project will result in the completion of a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle University and will solidify the student’s knowledge of aeronautics.
“The student will show evidence of advanced concepts of aviation, aerospace, and aeronautics to solve problems commonly found in their respective industries” (ERAU, 2015, pp. 22).
Aerospace and aeronautical sciences involve concepts that can be explained by the application of physics, flight mechanics, human factors, simulation, aviation safety, and legislation. The student intends to demonstrate his understanding of aerospace science, and will assess the application of it by analyzing orbital mechanics, and human factors of spaceflight. Topics that are possibly unintuitive will be explored. For example, this project will analyze why it takes more fuel to put a body in geosynchronous orbit than it does to get to the moon (NASA 2012). This will be done with a mathematical approach but will be explained in simple terms wherever possible. Knowledge of the Tsiolkovsky rocket equations will be crucial. Effect of spaceflight on the human body and will be assessed. Further, this project will demonstrate the student’s knowledge of problem solving skills that are needed in many facets of aerospace and aviation. Other mathematical principles that the student expects to leverage are Newton’s and Kepler’s laws of orbital motion from H.D. Curtis’s Orbital mechanics for engineering students, engine schematics from NASA and ROSCOSMOS, Tsiolkovsky’s rocket equation, and the biological effects of the human body in space from the Smithsonian and NASA.
“The student will show evidence of the basic concepts in national and international legislation and law as they pertain to the aviation, aerospace and aeronautics industries”
(ERAU, 2015, pp. 22).
Aviation legislation and law is the understanding of past, present, and future legislation that affect space launch and related operations. This includes analysis of the laws and regulations of all regulatory requirements and how they impact space. This project will demonstrate the student understands space industry laws, treaties, and their history. This requires understanding and assessment of international treaties like the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 where U.S., the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom signed [the treaty] (formally the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space), which would become the basis for international space law (Hamilton and Nilsson 2015). These are important acts in that space is becoming more accessible and the student will use federal, state, and international law to assess the difficulties in accessing space from a legal and safety lens. This is essential because there are resources in space that can be limited (e.g. GPS orbits) and there are resources in space that are controlled (e.g. GPS signals). The student expects to obtain the necessary data for demonstrating this PO from Hamilton and Nilsson’s Practical Aviation and Aerospace Law and from Federal Aviation Regulations under section 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
“The student will show evidence of basic concepts in aviation safety as they pertain to the
aviation, aerospace, aeronautics industry” (ERAU, 2015, pp. 24).
Aviation safety is the application of specific topics that relate to safety and security in aviation, including space. Whereas air travel is considered the safest methods of transportation, space travel is still considered one of the most treacherous and even unmanned launches are hazardous. The student will show evidence of concepts of aviation safety and security by assessing the dangers to the crew of manned spaceflight, e.g. the Apollo 1 fire (NASA 2012), and the dangers to populations during both manned and unmanned spaceflight in which toxic emissions from launches might reach populated areas (NASA 2012). The student will assess causes of the loss of life and the safety features that either failed or were lacking. Included will be assessments in the safety systems that were created as a result of mishaps. Excellent command and control of launches and operations are also important to safe space flight as well as the locations of launch facilities. The student expects to obtain the necessary information required for this PO from statistics of failed flights and mishaps that could have resulted in casualties, which can be retrieved from Federal Aviation Regulations under section 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations and NASA’s history of spaceflight. Information related to engineering and operation of safety systems is expected to be retrieved from H.D. Curtis’s Orbital mechanics for engineering students.
“The student will show evidence of sound, ethical management principles within standard aviation, aerospace, and aeronautics operations” (ERAU, 2015, pp. 25).
Aviation management and operations involve analysis and evaluations of the management of personnel, space flight operations, satellite control operations, research and development of new systems, and engineering. The student will show evidence of sound ethical management principles within the space industry to include sub-contractors and commercial operators. He will also asses advantages of different management styles and operating procedures. Satellites are expensive and take time to build. Many satellite constellations are planned years into the future and are very complex. Human space flight requires years of training and education. Space probes need to be launched during very tight windows of opportunity to take advantage of the gravity wells of other solar bodies. Boeing, United Launch Alliance, SpaceX, and NASA all have a deep history of managing space operations (NASA). The student will assess the successes and failures of these operations and their evolution. The student will assess the changing management styles over the past several decades when budgets started getting tight, and the emergence of private space launch enterprises, that are typically smaller than the legacy defense contractors and are therefore flexible to use more agile management styles. The student expects to obtain data and information pertaining to the topic of space management and operations from Bruca and Douglas’s Space Operations: Mission Management, Technologies, and Current Applications. More information pertaining to commercial space management and operations are available from their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
