NASA's Constellation Program - Center Assignments

[Astronuc]

Building NASA's New Spacecraft: Constellation Work Assignments
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/ spacecraft /work_assign.html

NASA's Constellation Program is getting to work on the new spacecraft that will return humans to the moon and blaze a trail to Mars and beyond. Thousands of people across the agency are pulling together to meet this challenge, with work assignments that will sustain ten healthy and productive centers.

The assignments by center are:

Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, Calif.
NASA Ames will be the lead for development of thermal protection systems and information technology for NASA's exploration effort. This responsibility includes developing the heat shield and aeroshell for the new spaceship called the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV).

They're also leading the development of the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, which will launch with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2008 and crash into the lunar south pole to search for water ice.


Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif.
Dryden will lead the abort flight test integration and operations for the CEV. The center will support abort systems tests, drop tests, landing and recovery tests, flight re-entry and landing profiles and range safety.


Glenn Research Center, Cleveland
Glenn will manage the work on the CEV's service module, which will provide maneuvering with its propulsion system, generate power using solar arrays, and keep the vehicle cool with heat rejection radiators. Glenn is also the lead for the upper stage of the Crew Launch Vehicle.


Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Goddard has responsibility for communications, tracking and support mechanisms for the CEV. The center will also continue its work on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, set to launch in October 2008.


Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
JPL leads a multi-center activity in support of the Mission Operations Project to plan systems engineering processes related to operations development and preparation. JPL also provides co-leadership for the Constellation Program Office Systems Engineering and Integration Software and Avionics team.


Johnson Space Center, Houston
Johnson, home to NASA's astronaut corps and mission control, is managing the Constellation Program. The center will integrate the CEV, Crew Launch and Cargo Launch Vehicles for all mission operations. JSC is the lead for the crew module, and will provide flight operations support to the Crew Launch Vehicle. As with Shuttle program and Apollo before, JSC will plan missions, train crews and run mission control.


Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Kennedy will continue its tradition of launching NASA's explorers into space. KSC hosts the Ground Operations Project, which manages all activities related to ground operations for the launch and landing sites, including ground processing, launch, and recovery systems.


Langley Research Center, Hampton Roads, Va.
Langley leads Launch Abort System integration supporting the CEV Project, providing oversight and independent analysis of the system's development. Langley also leads the Command Module Landing System Advanced Development Project and will support CEV testing.


Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
Marshall hosts the Constellation Launch Vehicle projects, responsible for managing all Crew Launch and Cargo Launch Vehicle related activities. Marshall will design the Crew Launch Vehicle's first stage and is responsible for launch vehicle testing.


Stennis Space Center, Miss.
By building on more than 40 years of experience in rocket propulsion testing, Stennis will continue to serve in its traditional test role, serving as the integration lead for all propulsion testing. The first rocket engine to be tested will be the J-2X, an engine similar to those tested at the center 40 years ago for the Apollo Saturn V rockets. In the Constellation Program, the J-2X will be used to power the Upper Stage of the Crew Launch Vehicle.

United Technologies Corporation's (www.utc.com) Rocketdyne Division is developing the J-2X rocket motor.

 

[Achy47]

Thank you for sharing this exciting update on NASA's Constellation Program and the work assignments for the new spacecraft! I am thrilled to see the progress being made towards returning humans to the moon and eventually reaching Mars and beyond. It is truly a testament to the dedication and hard work of thousands of individuals across the agency.

I am particularly interested in the assignments for each center and the specific responsibilities they will have in the development of the new spacecraft. It is fascinating to see how each center will contribute their unique expertise and capabilities to this ambitious project.

I am especially intrigued by the role of Ames Research Center in developing the thermal protection systems and information technology for the Crew Exploration Vehicle. This is a crucial aspect of the spacecraft's design and I have no doubt that Ames will excel in this area.

I am also impressed by the involvement of Dryden Flight Research Center in the abort flight tests and operations for the CEV. Safety is of utmost importance in space exploration and I am confident that Dryden will lead this aspect with great precision and expertise.

It's also great to see the collaboration between centers, such as JPL and Johnson Space Center working together on systems engineering and integration. This shows the importance of teamwork in such a complex and challenging project.

I am looking forward to following the progress of the Constellation Program and the contributions of each center as we continue to push the boundaries of human exploration. Thank you again for sharing this update and for your dedication to this incredible endeavor.

 

[ravenprp]

NASA's Constellation Program is a massive undertaking that requires the collaboration and expertise of many different centers and organizations. Each center has been assigned specific responsibilities to ensure the success of the program and the development of the new spacecraft.

Ames Research Center will be leading the development of the thermal protection systems and information technology for the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). This includes the development of the heat shield and aeroshell, as well as the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite which will search for water ice on the moon.

Dryden Flight Research Center will lead the abort flight test integration and operations for the CEV, as well as support various other tests and operations related to the spacecraft's re-entry and landing.

Glenn Research Center will manage the development of the CEV's service module, which will provide propulsion, power, and cooling for the spacecraft. They are also responsible for the upper stage of the Crew Launch Vehicle.

Goddard Space Flight Center will handle communications, tracking, and support for the CEV, and is also involved in the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory is providing systems engineering support and software development for the Mission Operations Project.

Johnson Space Center, home to NASA's astronaut corps and mission control, is managing the overall Constellation Program and will be responsible for integrating the CEV, Crew Launch and Cargo Launch Vehicles for all mission operations.

Kennedy Space Center will continue to handle launch operations for NASA's missions, including the launch and landing sites, ground processing, and recovery systems.

Langley Research Center is leading the Launch Abort System integration for the CEV and is also involved in the development and testing of the Command Module Landing System.

Marshall Space Flight Center is responsible for managing all activities related to the Crew Launch and Cargo Launch Vehicles, including designing the first stage of the Crew Launch Vehicle and conducting launch vehicle testing.

Stennis Space Center will continue its role in rocket propulsion testing, serving as the integration lead for all propulsion testing and testing the J-2X rocket motor for the Upper Stage of the Crew Launch Vehicle.

Overall, the collaboration and expertise of these centers and organizations will be crucial in building NASA's new spacecraft and achieving the goals of the Constellation Program. It's exciting to see the progress being made and the dedication of thousands of people across the agency towards this important mission.