New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

NASA Sets Initial Requirements For Next-Generation Orbital Space Plane System

Date:
February 19, 2003
Source:
National Aeronautics And Space Administration
Summary:
NASA has released the top level requirements for the Orbital Space Plane (OSP), a next generation system of space vehicles designed to provide a crew rescue and crew transport capability to and from the International Space Station. These requirements set the foundation for the design of the vehicle and its associated systems.
Share:
FULL STORY

Feb. 18, 2003 -- NASA today released the top level requirements for the Orbital Space Plane (OSP), a next generation system of space vehicles designed to provide a crew rescue and crew transport capability to and from the International Space Station. These requirements set the foundation for the design of the vehicle and its associated systems.

The Level I requirements for an OSP system were developed based on NASA's missions, as defined in the Integrated Space Transportation Plan, input from industry and Department of Defense partners participating in the program. The requirements were reviewed at multiple levels within NASA. The final review and approval process included the NASA Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Associate Administrator for the Office of Aerospace Technology, and the Associate Administrator, Office of Space Flight.

"This is an important first step in making the Integrated Space Transportation Plan a reality," said NASA Deputy Administrator Frederick Gregory. "The Orbital Space Plane system will give us the flexibility needed to safely and efficiently get crew to and from orbit and to provide crew rescue and logistical support to the International Space Station. These initial requirements help to outline a comprehensive system that will significantly complement the capabilities of our existing Space Shuttle fleet," he said. Any future changes to the Level I Requirements would be considered by the Orbital Space Plane Program Office and require approval from the NASA Executive Council. The program is in the process of developing Level II Requirements for the OSP system. Unlike the Level I requirements, which were defined by NASA, Level II requirements will be defined at the program level and will be detailed in a document referred to as the Systems Requirements Document (SRD) planned for release no later than late 2003.


Story Source:

Materials provided by National Aeronautics And Space Administration. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

National Aeronautics And Space Administration. "NASA Sets Initial Requirements For Next-Generation Orbital Space Plane System." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 February 2003. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/02/030219081318.htm>.
National Aeronautics And Space Administration. (2003, February 19). NASA Sets Initial Requirements For Next-Generation Orbital Space Plane System. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 3, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/02/030219081318.htm
National Aeronautics And Space Administration. "NASA Sets Initial Requirements For Next-Generation Orbital Space Plane System." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/02/030219081318.htm (accessed December 3, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES