NASA Launch Services Program#Slosh fluid dynamics experiments
{{short description|NASA program}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = NASA Launch Services Program
| seal =
| logo = File:Launch Services Program logo.svg
| formed = 1998
| preceding1 =
| preceding2 =
| dissolved =
| superseding =
| jurisdiction = United States federal government
| headquarters = Kennedy Space Center, FL
| employees =
| budget = US$102 million (FY 2022)
| chief1_name =
| chief1_position =
| chief2_name =
| chief2_position =
| parent_department = Space Operations Mission Directorate
| parent_agency = National Aeronautics and Space Administration
| child1_agency =
| website = [http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/ Launch Services Program]
}}
The NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) is responsible for procurement of launch services for NASA uncrewed missions and oversight of launch integration and launch preparation activity, providing added quality and mission assurance to meet program objectives.{{Cite web |editor-last=Costa |editor-first=Jason |title=LSP Overview |url=https://www.nasa.gov/kennedy/launch-services-program/launch-services-program-overview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025220332/https://www.nasa.gov/kennedy/launch-services-program/launch-services-program-overview/ |archive-date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=September 9, 2022 |publisher=NASA |work=nasa.gov }} LSP operates under the NASA Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD).{{Cite web |editor-last=Monaghan |editor-first=Heather |title=Space Operations Mission Directorate |url=https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218203056/https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations/ |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |access-date=September 9, 2022 |publisher=NASA |work=nasa.gov }}
Since 1990, NASA has purchased expendable launch vehicle launch services directly from commercial providers, whenever possible, for its scientific and applications missions. Expendable launch vehicles can accommodate all types of orbit inclinations and altitudes and are ideal vehicles for launching Earth-orbit and interplanetary missions. The Launch Services Program was established at Kennedy Space Center for NASA's acquisition and program management of expendable launch vehicle missions. A NASA/contractor team is in place to meet the mission of the Launch Services Program, which exists to provide leadership, expertise and cost-effective services in the commercial arena to satisfy Agency wide space transportation requirements and maximize the opportunity for mission success.{{Cite web |date=May 2005 |title=NASA's Launch Services Program NASA Facts |url=http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/nasafact/pdf/LSP2005.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017180342/http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/nasafact/pdf/LSP2005.pdf |archive-date=October 17, 2011 |access-date=April 1, 2011 |publisher=NASA |id=IS-2005-05-015-KSC }}
Primary launch sites are Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) in Florida, and Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) in California. Other launch locations are NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska.
History
{{excerpt|List_of_Launch_Services_Program_launches}}
Operations
= NASA Launch Services II =
The LSP acquires space launch services using the NASA Launch Services (NLS) II Contract.{{Cite press release |last1=Yembrick |first1=John |last2=Diller |first2=George H. |date=September 16, 2010 |title=NASA Awards Launch Services Contracts |url=https://www3.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/sep/C10-053_Launch_Services_Contract.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221120926/https://www3.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/sep/C10-053_Launch_Services_Contract.html |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |publisher=NASA |id=C10-053 }} Once a year, launch services contractors can be added to or offloaded from contract.{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2015 |title=V--NASA Launch Services II 2015 On-Ramp |url=https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=0513715c564b7604d94a20a7cbb6e862&tab=core&_cview=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202025102/https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=0513715c564b7604d94a20a7cbb6e862&tab=core&_cview=1 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=August 12, 2015 |publisher=Federal Business Opportunities |ref=RFP-10-99-0021-Rev-J }} The following contractors are attached to the NLS II Contract.
- Blue Origin – New Glenn{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=December 17, 2020 |title=Blue Origin's New Glenn added to NASA launch contract |work=SpaceNews |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origins-new-glenn-added-to-nasa-launch-contract/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231221121234/https://spacenews.com/blue-origins-new-glenn-added-to-nasa-launch-contract/ |archive-date=December 21, 2023}}
- Northrop Grumman – Pegasus XL{{Cite press release |last1=Buck |first1=Joshua |last2=Diller |first2=George H. |date=June 26, 2012 |title=NASA Adds Orbital's Antares To Launch Services II Contract |url=https://www3.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/jun/HQ_C12-027_NLS_II_mod.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615192728/https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/jun/HQ_C12-027_NLS_II_mod.html |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |publisher=NASA |id=C12-027 }}
- SpaceX – Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy
- United Launch Alliance (ULA) – Vulcan Centaur{{Cite press release |last1=Finch |first1=Joshua |last2=Bielling |first2=Patti |date=April 15, 2021 |title=NASA Adds Vulcan Centaur Launch Services to Launch Services Contract |url=https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-adds-vulcan-centaur-launch-services-to-launch-services-contract/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218065222/https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-adds-vulcan-centaur-launch-services-to-launch-services-contract/ |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |access-date=April 16, 2021 |publisher=NASA |id=C21-007}}
= Partnered with spacecraft customers=
The LSP works with U.S. Government spacecraft program offices to define launch requirements for their programs and then engage with launch services contractors to deliver a compatible solution. LSP has relationships with various agencies and organizations:
- Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, located at the California Institute of Technology
- NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, in California's Silicon Valley
- NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland
- NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia
- NASA Marshall Space Flight Center at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama
- Several U.S. Universities, launching small research satellites (CubeSats)
- International partners
- Other Government Agencies:
- Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
= Collaboration with U.S. Space Force =
LSP also works with the United States Space Force (USSF),{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2016 |title=Air Force Space Command |url=http://www.afspc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/249014/air-force-space-command |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126111229/http://www.afspc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/249014/air-force-space-command |archive-date=January 26, 2017 |access-date=September 17, 2016 |publisher=United States Air Force }} via coordination by the launch services contractors. For launches at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) and Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), the Space Launch Delta 45 and Space Launch Delta 30{{Cite web |title=Launch Center |url=http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/launch_center/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115033720/http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/launch_center/ |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |website=Vandenberg Air Force Base |publisher=United States Air Force }} commanders, respectively, are the Launch Decision Authority.{{Cite press release |last=Boyette |first=Bryan |date=October 7, 2009 |title=Delta II launch scheduled |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/250663/delta-ii-launch-scheduled/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221123734/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/250663/delta-ii-launch-scheduled/ |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |access-date=September 17, 2016 |website=Air Force Space Command |publisher=United States Air Force }}
For launches from CCSFS, guardians, Space Force civilians and contractors from throughout Space Launch Delta 45 provided vital support, including weather forecasts, launch and range operations, security, safety, medical and public affairs. The wing also provided its vast network of radar, telemetry, and communications instrumentation to facilitate a safe launch on the Eastern Range.{{Cite press release |date=January 24, 2014 |title=45th Space Wing Supports Successful NASA Launch |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/731388/45th-space-wing-supports-successful-nasa-launch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221123532/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/731388/45th-space-wing-supports-successful-nasa-launch/ |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |access-date=September 2, 2016 |website=Air Force Space Command |publisher=United States Air Force }}{{cite web|last1=Winters|first1=Kathy|title=45th Weather Squadron Space Weather Support to Launch|url=http://swrc.gsfc.nasa.gov/main/sites/swrc/presentations/2015_NASA_SWx_Workshop/Winters_45WSSpaceWeatherPresentationforGoddard.pdf|website=NASA Goddard Space Weather Research Center|publisher=NASA & Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|access-date=2 September 2016|date=29 September 2015}}{{Cite press release |last=Kimmons |first=Sean |date=March 22, 2016 |title=Go for launch: Airmen forecast weather for space missions |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/699056/go-for-launch-airmen-forecast-weather-for-space-missions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924205141/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/699056/go-for-launch-airmen-forecast-weather-for-space-missions/ |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |access-date=September 17, 2016 |publisher=United States Air Force }}{{Cite press release |last=Dudley |first=Ian |date=February 26, 2016 |title=Weather balloons and rocket science |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/731632/weather-balloons-and-rocket-science/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221123420/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/731632/weather-balloons-and-rocket-science/ |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |access-date=September 17, 2016 |publisher=United States Air Force }} Among work done by the Space Force is Mission Flight Control, which ensures public safety during launch.{{Cite press release |last=Bauer |first=Steve |date=November 5, 2009 |title=Team V's MFCOs know how to "Track 'Em or Crack 'Em!" |url=https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/340061/team-vs-mfcos-know-how-to-track-em-or-crack-em/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001054545/https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/340061/team-vs-mfcos-know-how-to-track-em-or-crack-em/ |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |access-date=September 3, 2016 |website=Air Force Space Command |publisher=United States Air Force }}{{Cite press release |last=Gifford |first=Kyla |date=April 15, 2016 |title=Limited access ensures launch safety |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/731625/limited-access-ensures-launch-safety/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221124026/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/731625/limited-access-ensures-launch-safety/ |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |access-date=September 17, 2016 |publisher=United States Air Force }}{{Cite press release |last=Dudley |first=Ian |date=January 15, 2016 |title=Highway to space |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/731636/highway-to-space/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221124206/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/731636/highway-to-space/ |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |access-date=September 17, 2016 |publisher=United States Air Force }}{{Cite conference |last1=Wilde |first1=Paul |last2=Gowan |first2=John |last3=Silvestri |first3=Ryan |last4=Stahl |first4=Benjamin |last5=Rosati |first5=Paul |date=October 17, 2011 |title=Achieving the Proper Balance Between Crew & Public Safety |url=https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/reports_studies/media/2288741_Wilde_AchievingtheProperBalanceBetweenCrewandPublicSafety%20FINAL.pdf |conference=International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety Conference |location=Versailles, France |publisher=FAA, NASA & USAF |volume=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702104134/https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/reports_studies/media/2288741_Wilde_AchievingtheProperBalanceBetweenCrewandPublicSafety%20FINAL.pdf |archive-date=July 2, 2017 |access-date=March 4, 2018 |url-status=dead }}
= Operating locations =
The LSP management, business office, and engineering teams support from the Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center.{{Cite web |date=June 2014 |title=Hangar AE |url=https://public.ksc.nasa.gov/lsplaunch/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/03/Hangar-AE-Fact.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125005145/https://public.ksc.nasa.gov/lsplaunch/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/03/Hangar-AE-Fact.pdf |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |access-date=February 3, 2016 |website=Kennedy Space Center Fact Sheets |publisher=NASA |id=FS-2014-06-175-KSC }}
The Launch Services Program operates Hangar AE on the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It is LSP's Launch Communications Center.{{Cite web |editor-last=Bales |editor-first=Jarod |title=LSP Hangar AE & B836 Capabilities |url=https://public.ksc.nasa.gov/lsplaunch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124044931/https://public.ksc.nasa.gov/lsplaunch/ |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |access-date=August 17, 2017 |website=LSP's Launch Communications Center |publisher=NASA Kennedy Space Center }} For Florida launches, many of the primary LSP engineers on console are in Hangar AE. For launches from California and other launch sites, many of support LSP engineers are on console there. Launch services contractors and spacecraft engineers will often operate out of the Hangar also. It gathers telemetry for rocket launches beyond those worked by LSP.
LSP also maintains resident offices at:
- Vandenberg Space Force Base (California)
- United Launch Alliance (Centennial, Colorado and Decatur, Alabama)
- Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (formerly Orbital Sciences; Dulles, Virginia and Chandler, Arizona)
- SpaceX (Hawthorne, CA)
= Mission risk posture and launch services selection =
NASA has specific policies governing launch services.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2013 |editor-last=Wiles |editor-first=Jennifer |title=Launch Services Policies |url=https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/launch_services/policies.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615192716/https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/launch_services/policies.html |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=March 22, 2017 |publisher=NASA |work=nasa.gov }} NASA uses a certification system for rockets launched by its contractors, and for validation purposes it requires the certification process to be "instrumented to provide design verification and flight performance data", with post-flight operations, anomaly resolution process, and a flight margin verification process, with 80% predicted design reliability at 95% confidence.{{Cite web |title=NASA Launch Vehicle Certification Requirements Matrix |url=https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/NPD_attachments/AttachmentA_7C.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114023410/https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/NPD_attachments/AttachmentA_7C.pdf |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |publisher=NASA }}
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col" style="width:140px;"| Launch vehicle risk category
! scope="col" | Vehicle maturity ! scope="col" | Payload class{{Cite web |title=Risk Classification for NASA Payloads |url=https://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/2021APMIDEX/pdf_files/NPR_8705_4A.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124055700/https://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/2021APMIDEX/pdf_files/NPR_8705_4A.pdf |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |access-date=November 22, 2022 |publisher=NASA |id=NPR 8705.4A }} |
|---|
| Cat 1 (High Risk)
| No flight history | D |
|
| Cat 2 (Medium Risk)
| Limited flight history | C and D, sometimes B |
|
| Cat 3 (Low Risk)
| Significant flight history | A, B, C, D |
|
=Additional advisory services=
In addition to providing end-to-end launch services, LSP also offers Advisory Services.{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2010 |title=Launch Services Program (LSP) Advisory Services Plan |url=https://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/APSMEX/SMEX/pdf_files/6_Launch_Services_Program_LSP_Advisory_Services_Plan.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112074034/http://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/APSMEX/SMEX/pdf_files/6_Launch_Services_Program_LSP_Advisory_Services_Plan.pdf |archive-date=November 12, 2023 |access-date=November 10, 2016 |publisher=NASA |ref=LSP-PLN-326.01 }} This "is a consulting service to government and commercial organizations, providing mission management, overall systems engineering and/or specific discipline expertise; e.g. mission assurance, flight design, systems safety, etc., as requested." By example, the LSP Flight Design team provides general information regarding the launch vehicle performance available via existing NASA contracts.{{cite web|url=https://elvperf.ksc.nasa.gov/Pages/Default.aspx|title=Performance Website - Home|website=elvperf.ksc.nasa.gov|access-date=14 April 2018}} This non-traditional service allows LSP to "expand its customer base and assist these customers in maximizing their mission success by using NASA LSP's unique expertise." The four general categories of advisory services are:
- SMART (Supplemental Mission Advisory and Risk Team)
- Design and Development
- Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V)
- Independent Review Teams (IRT)
- Spacecraft naming
Upcoming launches
The schedule below includes only Launch Services Program (LSP) primary and advisory missions. The [https://www.nasa.gov/launchschedule/ NASA Launch Schedule] has the most up to date public schedule of all NASA launches. The [https://www.nasa.gov/kennedy/kennedy-space-center-news/ NASA Kennedy News Releases] will also have updates on LSP launches and mission accomplishments. Additional NASA pages which mention future launch dates are the [https://public.ksc.nasa.gov/lspeducation/upcoming-missions/ LSP Education & Outreach], NASA Goddard's [https://explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Explorers Program], NASA Goddard's [https://fpd.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Flight Projects Directorate] and NASA Goddard's [https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/upcoming.html Upcoming Planetary Events and Missions].{{cite web |title=Flight Projects Directorate |url=https://fpd.gsfc.nasa.gov/ |publisher=NASA |access-date=14 September 2023}}{{cite web |title=Upcoming Planetary Events and Missions |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/upcoming.html |publisher=NASA GSFC |access-date=12 April 2021}}
The ELaNa Launch Schedule{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches|title=Upcoming ELaNa CubeSat Launches|date=22 March 2017|publisher=NASA|access-date=17 April 2017}} has the upcoming schedule of CubeSat missions, which occur on both NASA and non-NASA launches.
| class="wikitable" |
| KEY
| |
| NET
| No Earlier Than (Tentative) |
| NLT
| No Later Than |
| (U/R)
| Under Review |
| +
| LSP Advisory Mission |
| *
| The total cost for NASA to launch the mission includes the launch service, spacecraft processing, payload integration, tracking, data and telemetry, mission unique launch site ground support, and other launch support requirements. All costs listed are approximate. Some spacecraft were awarded as a group, which is why their cost is listed as 1 of a number of spacecraft. Unless the reference specifies otherwise, the value is at award (i.e. when the launch service contract is signed) and does not account for additional costs due to delays and other factors or any cost savings that may have occurred later.
|
Research
= Technical subject matter expertise =
The Launch Services Program team also performs research relating to launching uncrewed NASA spacecraft.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150502104324/http://nix.nasa.gov/search.jsp?Ntx=mode%20matchall&Ntk=All&N=0&Ntt=%22launch%20services%20program%22 Launch Services Program] on NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) Research and technical analysis topics include:
- Flight Design analysts work on the intended course, or trajectory, of the rocket.{{cite web|title=Launches Test Flight Design Teams|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/LSPtrajectory.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=14 December 2013|author=Steven Siceloff|date=21 March 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/launchwindows.html|title=NASA - Aiming for an Open Window|first=Anna |last=Heiney|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}
- Telemetry engineers get tracking stations to cover all the mandatory portions of flight.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/launch/comm_kwajalein.html|title=NASA - Remote Launch Locations Challenge Telemetry and Communications Group|first=Anna|last=Heiney|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Heiney|first1=Anna|title=Engineers' Telemetry Fix Preserves TDRS-L Launch|url=https://www.nasa.gov/content/engineers-telemetry-fix-preserves-tdrs-l-launch|website=NASA|publisher=NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center|access-date=17 August 2017|date=Aug 4, 2017}} Analysts from many disciplines review this data post-flight.
- [http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/LSpweather.html Weather Forecasters Balance Experience with Technology]
- The Failure Analysis and Materials Evaluation Lab assists the program by examining failures and figuring out what went wrong{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/malfunctionjunction.html|title=NASA - CSI: NASA|first=Steven|last=Siceloff|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}
- Collision Avoidance (COLA)[https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20130009700 A Geometric Analysis to Protect Manned Assets from Newly Launched Objects - Cola Gap Analysis] NASA{{cite journal|author1=Brian Beaver|title=Recommended Screening Practices for Launch Collision Avoidance|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20150015575.pdf|website=NASA Technical Reports Server|publisher=NASA|access-date=11 April 2018|ref=NASA/TM-2015-219270|date=March 2015}}
- Upper-level Winds on Day-of-Launch;[https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233333/http://nix.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20130000755&qs=N%3D4294967061%2B4294956362 Assessing Upper-level Winds on Day-of-Launch] (by [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/amu/ NASA Applied Meteorology Unit]){{cite web|last1=Betz|first1=Laura|title=Launching 101: First Weather Balloons, Then Rockets|url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/2013/02/26/launching-101-first-weather-balloons-then-rockets/|website=NASA Earth Observatory|access-date=10 January 2015|date=February 26, 2013}}{{cite web|author1=Anna Heiney|title=Work Begins to Upgrade Doppler Radar Wind Profiler|url=http://www.nasa.gov/content/work-begins-to-upgrade-doppler-radar-wind-profiler/|website=NASA Kennedy Space Center|access-date=10 January 2015|date=March 27, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Development of Wind Pair Databases at Kennedy Space Center, Vandenberg Air Force Base and Wallops Flight Facility|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/amu/final-reports/windpairs-lsp.pdf|website=NASA|publisher=Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama|access-date=29 January 2015|date=November 2013}} collaborations with groups such as the NASA Kennedy Space Center [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/amu/ Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU)] and Space Launch Delta 45.
- Slosh Fluid Dynamics[https://web.archive.org/web/20150502045831/http://nix.nasa.gov/search.jsp?Ntx=mode+matchall&Ntk=All&N=4294948960&Ntt=%22launch+services+program%22 Launch Services Program + Liquid Sloshing] on NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
= Slosh fluid dynamics experiments =
File:ISS-38 SLOSH full assembly.jpg
SPHERES-Slosh will be performed on the SPHERES Testbed on the International Space Station. The experiment launched on the Cygnus capsule going to the ISS via Orbital Sciences Corporation Commercial Resupply Services Orb-1 mission on an Antares on 2014.01.09.[https://web.archive.org/web/20131213205052/http://www.nasa.gov/content/station-crew-supports-science-preps-for-cargo-ship-capture/ Station Crew Supports Science, Preps for Cargo Ship Capture] NASA, 9 December 2013{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/orbital.html|title=Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Launch|first=Jason|last=Roberts|date=30 March 2015|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}{{cite web|title=New Science Bound for Station on Orbital's Cygnus|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/orbital_investigations/|publisher=NASA Johnson Space Center|access-date=7 January 2014|author=Laura Niles|date=January 6, 2014}}{{cite web|title=ISS Commercial Resupply Services Mission (Orb-1)|url=http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/MissionUpdates/Orb-1/index.shtml|publisher=Orbital Sciences Corporation|access-date=7 January 2014}} The Cygnus arrived at the ISS on 2014.01.12 and will spend five weeks unloading the cargo.{{cite web|title=Cygnus Arrives at Station on Orbital-1 Mission|url=http://www.nasa.gov/content/cygnus-arrives-at-station-on-orbital-1-mission/|publisher=NASA Space Station|access-date=13 January 2014|date=January 12, 2014}}
The SPHERES-Slosh investigation uses small robotic satellites on the International Space Station to examine how liquids move around inside containers in microgravity. A water bottle's contents slosh around differently in space than on Earth, but the physics of liquid motion in microgravity are not well understood, which affects computer simulations of liquid rocket fuel behavior. LSP leads a team that includes Florida Institute of Technology{{cite web|url=http://www.fit.edu/research/portal/project/196/low-gravity-fluid-dynamics-research-on-the-international-space-station |title=Low-Gravity Fluid Dynamics Research on the International Space Station | Florida Institute of Technology |publisher=Fit.edu |access-date=2015-12-24}}{{cite web|title=Low-Gravity Fluid Dynamics Research on the International Space Station|url=https://www.fit.edu/research/portal/project/196/low-gravity-fluid-dynamics-research-on-the-international-space-station|publisher=Florida Institute of Technology|access-date=8 January 2014}}{{cite web|title=Faculty-Student Experiment Flies to ISS Jan. 9|url=http://now.fit.edu/2014/01/07/faculty-student-experiment-flies-to-iss-jan-8/|publisher=Florida Tech Now|access-date=8 January 2014|date=7 January 2014}} and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The research is sponsored by the Game Changing Development (GCD) program (within NASA Technology Demonstration Office (TDO)'s Space Technology Mission Directorate).{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/content/slosh-microgravity-fluid-slosh/|title=Slosh -Microgravity Fluid Slosh|first=Darryl|last=LeVasseur|date=22 September 2013|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}
Schallhorn, Paul [https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232503/http://nix.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20130011579&qs=N%3D4294957355%2B4294955486 Acquisition of Long-Duration, Low-Gravity Slosh Data Utilizing Existing ISS Equipment (SPHERES) for Calibration of CFD Models of Coupled Fluid-Vehicle Behavior] NASA Launch Services Program{{cite journal|last=Chintalapati|first=Sunil|author2=Charles A. Holicker |author3=Richard E. Schulman |author4=Brian D. Wise |author5=Gabriel D. Lapilli |author6=Hector M. Gutierrez |author7=Daniel R. Kirk |title=Update on SPHERES Slosh for Acquisition of Liquid Slosh Data aboard the ISS|journal=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics|date=July 2013|volume=49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference|doi=10.2514/6.2013-3903|isbn=978-1-62410-222-6}}
{{cite web|url=http://gcd.larc.nasa.gov/projects/iss-fluid-slosh|title=Space Technology: Game Changing Development - ISS Fluid Slosh|publisher=NASA|website=nasa.gov|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126134425/http://gcd.larc.nasa.gov/projects/iss-fluid-slosh/|archive-date=26 January 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=The Strange Way Fluids Slosh on the International Space Station|url=https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2015/30jan_slosh/|publisher=NASA Langley Research Center|access-date=15 December 2015|date=30 January 2015}}
de Luis, Javier [https://web.archive.org/web/20111015073856/http://ssco.gsfc.nasa.gov/workshop_2010/day3/Javier_de_Luis_Swati_Mohan/GSFCServicing_SPHERES-1.pdf The SPHERES ISS Microgravity Testbed as a testbed for AR&D and servicing (Presentation)] NASA
The experiment is a water tank with cameras and sensors that will be mounted between two SPHERES satellites inside the ISS. During testing, the SPHERES will move to purposely agitate the water and cause the fluid inside to slosh around, like it might in a rocket or spacecraft tank during flight. The data collected will be one of a kind. Three initial tests are expected to happen with the first couple months of launch.
"The current inability to accurately predict fuel and oxidizer behavior can result in unnecessary caution, requiring extra propellant to be added along with additional helium for tank pressurization. A better understanding of fluid slosh could not only decrease this uncertainty, but increase efficiency, reduce costs and allow additional payloads to be launched."{{cite web|title=Slosh Experiment Designed to Improve Rocket Safety, Efficiency|url=http://www.nasa.gov/content/slosh-experiment-designed-to-improve-rocket-safety-efficiency/|publisher=NASA's Kennedy Space Center|access-date=5 January 2014|author=Bob Granath|date=December 16, 2013}} Understanding from this experiment could help improve design/operations of rocket tanks and control systems.
NASA's Brandon Marsell, co-principal investigator on the Slosh Project: "Modern computer models try to predict how liquid moves inside a propellant tank. Now that rockets are bigger and are going farther, we need more precise data. Most of the models we have were validated under 1 g conditions on Earth. None have been validated in the surface tension-dominated microgravity environment of space." (via Langley Research Center article{{cite web|title=Slosh Team Readies for Important Launch|url=http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/game_changing_development/Slosh-Team-Readies-for-Important-Launch.html|publisher=NASA Langley Research Center|access-date=5 January 2014|author=Denise M. Stefula|date=17 December 2013}})
Slosh is the first project on the ISS to use 3D printed materials for its experiment. NASA's Jacob Roth, project manager on the Slosh Project, on the first science session: "The results from our first checkout run are proving interesting. While not too unexpected, the bubble/liquid interaction behavior appears to be exhibiting a slightly different interaction than current models predict." The team will be altering the tests for the second session based on the preliminary results.{{cite web|last=Stefula|first=Denise M.|title=Fluid Slosh Results Begin Pouring In|url=https://gcd.larc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/GCD_highlights_2014_01-02.pdf|work=Space Technology Game Changing Development Highlights (Jan/Feb 2014)|publisher=NASA|access-date=14 March 2014|pages=2–4|date=2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314034941/http://gcd.larc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/GCD_highlights_2014_01-02.pdf|archive-date=14 March 2014|url-status=dead}}
Videos
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BluJ7do0QOI Space Station Live: Fluid Motion Study Using Mini-Satellites] - Reel NASA Interview with LSP's Dr. Paul Schallhorn to explain the experiment
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o13ZdnvB8UQ#t=49 Space to Ground - 1/17/14] - Reel NASA update on ISS includes launch of SPHERES-Slosh
The 2008-2010 slosh related tests on SPHERES were performed with a single SPHERES spacecraft and, in some cases, the addition of a battery pack Velcroed on to the SPHERES spacecraft. These tests were to better understand the physical properties of the SPHERES spacecraft, notably the mass properties, prior adding any tanks to the system.Burke, Caley [http://ssl.mit.edu/publications/theses/SM-2010-BurkeCaley.pdf Nutation in the Spinning SPHERES Spacecraft and Fluid Slosh] Massachusetts Institute of Technology, May 2010 Some of the tests also attempted to excite and then sense slosh within the SPHERES {{CO2}} tank. Florida Tech designed the slosh experiments for Test Sessions 18/20/24/25.
= Cryogenic orbital testbed =
The Cryogenic Orbital Testbed (CRYOTE) is a collaboration between NASA and commercial companies to develop an orbital testbed that will demonstrate cryogenic fluid management technologies in space environments. "The testbed provides an in-space environment in which the fluid transfer, handling, and storage of liquid hydrogen (LH2) and/or liquid oxygen (LO2) can be demonstrated."{{cite web|title=Cryogenic Orbital Testbed (CRYOTE) Development Status|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/education/CRYOTE_cryo_workshop_2011.pdf|publisher=United Launch Alliance|access-date=5 January 2014|date=2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106032848/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/education/CRYOTE_cryo_workshop_2011.pdf|archive-date=6 January 2014|url-status=dead}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20131214042819/http://nix.nasa.gov/search.jsp?Ntx=mode%20matchall&Ntk=All&N=0&Ntt=cryote CRYogenic Orbital TEstbed (CRYOTE)] on NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS){{cite web|title=CRYOTE (Cryogenic Orbital Testbed) Concept|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/publications/CryogenicOrbitalTestbed%28CRYOTE%292009.pdf|publisher=United Launch Alliance|access-date=5 January 2014|date=2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331105330/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/publications/CryogenicOrbitalTestbed(CRYOTE)2009.pdf|archive-date=31 March 2010|url-status=dead}}
The research is funded by the NASA Innovative Partnership Program (IPP) in the Office of the Chief Technologist. "The partners involved in the development of this system include United Launch Alliance (ULA), Sierra Lobo, Innovative Engineering Solutions (IES), Yetispace, and NASA Glenn Research Center, Kennedy Space Center, and Marshall Space Flight Center."{{cite web|url=http://technology.ksc.nasa.gov/documents/2011_Spring_TechTransfer_News1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705170552/http://technology.ksc.nasa.gov/documents/2011_Spring_TechTransfer_News1.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 July 2011|title=KSC Tech Transfer Spring/Summer 2011 |page=9 |publisher=NASA|website=nasa.gov|access-date=12 April 2018}}
Outreach
= Educational outreach =
[http://public.ksc.nasa.gov/lspeducation NASA's Launch Services Program Educational Outreach] provides awareness to students, teachers and the public about NASA's exciting spacecraft missions and how the world benefits from them. Distance learning via video conference connects students to LSP expertsBlair, Christopher [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/lsp_highlights/lsp_skype_feature.html "NASA's Launch Services Program Connects With Students Around the World"] 18 October 2011
The office also coordinates activities and educational booths at events for NASA and the public.Blair, Christopher [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/lsp_highlights/lsp_familynight_feature.html "Launch Services Program Supports NASA Family Education Nights"] 1 August 2011Blair, Christopher [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/lsp_highlights/lsp_boyscouts_feature.html "NASA's Launch Services Program Supports Boy Scout Event"] 31 May 2011Blair, Christopher [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/lsp_highlights/lsp_pmchallenge_feature.html "Launch Services Program (LSP) Supports 2012 NASA Project Management Challenge"] 22 February 2012Herridge, Linda [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/lsp_highlights/lsp_blackhistory.html "NASA's Launch Services Program Helps Promote Black History Month"] 20 February 2011 The outreach is performed by both members of the LSP Educational Outreach Office and LSP experts throughout the program.
The LSP Educational Outreach Office created the Rocket Science 101 Game. Students can pick a NASA mission, select the right rocket, and build a rocket to send the spacecraft into orbit. There are three different levels for varying ages and it is available for the computer and Apple/Android devices.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/RocketScience101/RocketScience101.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217133321/http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/RocketScience101/RocketScience101.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 December 2005|title=NASA - Rocket Science 101|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}
=CubeSat Launch Initiative and Educational Launch of Nanosatellites =
{{main|Educational Launch of Nanosatellites}}
NASA and the Launch Services Program are partnering with several universities to launch small research satellites. These small satellites are called CubeSats. The CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) provides opportunities for small satellite payloads to fly on rockets planned for upcoming launches. As of February 2015, CSLI has selected 119 spacecraft since 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/home/CSLI_selections.html|title=CubeSat Selections|first=Erin|last=Mahoney|date=6 June 2013|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}
The Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa){{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/elana_feature.html|title=NASA - ELaNa: Educational Launch of Nanosatellites|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}} program is a part of CSLI. ELaNa manifests the CubeSats selected by CSLI onto upcoming rocket launches. CubeSats were first included on the launch of LSP missions in 2011. ELaNa missions are not manifested exclusively on LSP missions; they have been a part of NRO/military launches and ELaNa V will be on an International Space Station resupply launch. ELaNa mission numbers are based on the order they are manifested; due to the nature of launching, the actual launch order differs from the mission numbers.
In 2014, as a part of the White House Maker Initiative, CSLI announced its intention to launch 50 small satellites from 50 states within five years. As of July 2014, there were 21 "rookie states" that had not previously been selected by the CSLI{{cite web|title=CubeSat Launch Initiative: 50 CubeSats from 50 States in 5 Years|date=9 April 2015|url=http://www.nasa.gov/content/cubesat-launch-initiative-50-cubesats-from-50-states-in-5-years|publisher=NASA|access-date=30 October 2015}}
In October 2015, NASA's LSP, with funding partnered by Earth Science Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, "awarded multiple Venture Class Launch Services (VCLS) contracts to provide small satellites (SmallSats) -- also called CubeSats, microsats or nanosatellites -- access to low-Earth orbit." Three companies received $4–7 million firm fixed-price contracts. The intention of the VCLS contracts is to provide alternatives to the current rideshare-type approach for launch of small satellites.{{cite web|title=NASA Awards Venture Class Launch Services Contracts for CubeSat Satellites|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-venture-class-launch-services-contracts-for-cubesat-satellites|publisher=NASA|author1=Kathryn Hambleton|author2=George H. Diller|date=14 October 2015|access-date=30 October 2015}}
= Community Involvement =
STEM teams are sponsored and mentored by NASA's Launch Services Program.
== FIRST Robotics: Team 1592 - Bionic Tigers ==
FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1592 (the Bionic Tigers) is out of Cocoa High School (CHS) and Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. The founding mentors of the team were Analex contractors working for LSP; the team has had NASA LSP engineering mentors ever since 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/lsp_highlights/lsp_first_robotics_feature_prt.htm|title=NASA - LSP Supports Students in FIRST Robotics Competitions.|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}
== Merritt Island High School StangSat ==
Merritt Island High School, in partnership with California Polytechnic State University, has a team building a CubeSat as part of Kennedy Space Center's Creating Understanding and Broadening Education through Satellite (CUBES) pilot project.[http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/home/CubeSats.html "Students to Design Tiny Satellite for Future Launch Services Program Mission"]NASA 2011.06.27 The team's StangSat was accepted by the CubeSat Launch Initiative[http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2013/feb/HQ_13-064_CubeSat_4.html "NASA Announces Fourth Round of CubeSat Space Mission Candidates"] NASA 2013.02.26 and launched 25 June 2019 as part of ELaNa XV, via the Space Test Program, on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/03/01/rideshare-mission-for-u-s-military-confirmed-as-second-falcon-heavy-launch/|title=Rideshare mission for U.S. military confirmed as second Falcon Heavy launch – Spaceflight Now|website=spaceflightnow.com|access-date=12 April 2018}}
The satellite, named StangSat after the school's Mustang mascot, will collect data on the amount of shock and vibration experienced by payloads while in orbit.,{{cite web|url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2014/05/31/merritt-island-gets-green-light-build-stangsat/9826649/|title=Merritt Island gets green light to build StangSat|website=floridatoday.com|access-date=12 April 2018}}
On June 15, 2013, the team launched an engineering unit of StangSat on the Prospector-18 rocket;Siceloff, Steven [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/elana/P18rocket.html "Prospector Rocket Offers Research Opportunities"] NASA April 2, 2013 the suborbital flight took off from the Friends of Amateur Rocketry site in California's Mojave Desert.[http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/elana/cubesatlaunchpreview.html "CubeSat Launch Tests Satellite Innovations"] NASA June 12, 2013 The other satellites on board were Rocket University Broad Initiatives CubeSat, or RUBICS-1 (KSC); PhoneSat (ARC); and CP-9 (CalPoly). Though the parachute deployed early, resulting in a hard landing, all four satellites were able to collect usable data.Heiney, Anna [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/elana/cubesat_launch.html "Small Satellites Soar in High-Altitude Demonstration"] NASA June 18, 2013
The team will be only the second high school to launch a satellite into orbit, after Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's TJ3Sat in November 2013 (another ELaNa mission).{{cite web|title=NASA Helps Launch Student-Built Satellites as Part of CubeSat Launch Initiative|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press/2013/november/nasa-helps-launch-student-built-satellites-as-part-of-cubesat-launch-initiative|publisher=NASA|access-date=14 December 2013|author=Joshua Buck|date=November 20, 2013}}
= Social media =
NASA's Launch Services Program maintains social media accounts on Facebook{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/NASALSP|title=NASA's Launch Services Program|work=facebook.com|access-date=22 March 2017}} and Twitter.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NASA_LSP|title=NASA_LSP (@NASA_LSP) - Twitter|work=twitter.com|access-date=22 March 2017}} NASA Kennedy Space Center social media accounts frequently post news involving LSP activities.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/NASAKennedy|title=NASA's Kennedy Space Center|work=facebook.com|access-date=22 March 2017}}
NASA has compiled a page will all its flagship social media accounts across many different platforms.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/socialmedia|title=Social Media at NASA|first=Jim|last=Wilson|date=16 December 2014|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}} The spacecraft section of this page has accounts for many of the spacecraft launched by NASA LSP.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/socialmedia/#missions|title=Social Media at NASA|first=Jim|last=Wilson|date=16 December 2014|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}
NASA Public Affairs posts pictures and videos of NASA LSP spacecraft and rockets as they go through processing and launch.[http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm KSC Video and Photo Search] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814135852/http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm |date=2012-08-14 }} search for "Launch Services Program" or by specific mission
A launch blog is also stood up for each launch campaign and is always updated on launch day by Kennedy Space Center Public Affairs.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/ksc_blogs.html|title=Kennedy - Launch Blogs|first=Anna|last=Heiney|date=21 June 2013|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}
Since NASA Socials were started in 2009, NASA LSP has participated in many for the launch of its missions: Juno, GRAIL, NPP, MSL, KSC 50th/MSL Landing, RBSP, MAVEN and more.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/social/|title=NASA - SOCIAL|work=nasa.gov|date=23 January 2015|access-date=22 March 2017}} NASA Socials allow social media followers to receive VIP access to NASA facilities and speakers. The participants post about their experiences with NASA, performing outreach to their networks. NASA LSP has provided speakers for these events, along with tour guides and other support. NASA Socials were formerly known as Tweetups.{{cite web|url=http://nasatweet.com/wiki/Main_Page|title=NASA Social Wiki|website=nasatweet.com|access-date=12 April 2018}}
NASA has created many apps, some of which feature NASA LSP and its spacecraft.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/connect/apps.html|title=NASA Apps For Smartphones and Tablets|first=Gary|last=Daines|date=8 December 2014|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/apps/|title=Mobile Apps|work=nasa.gov|access-date=22 March 2017}} One popular app is Spacecraft 3D, which features several spacecraft launched by LSP. Developed by JPL, the app allows uses to take 3D tours of many JPL spacecraft using a printed piece of paper and their phone or tablet. Users can rotate and zoom in on the spacecraft, along with deploying movable parts of the spacecraft such as solar arrays, masts, and booms. By deploying and retracting these parts, a user can get a sense of how the spacecraft goes from the launch configuration on top of the rocket to operation configuration when it's collecting scientific data.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spacecraft-3d/id541089908?mt=8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715054049/http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spacecraft-3d/id541089908?mt=8|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=Spacecraft 3D on the App Store|work=apple.com|access-date=22 March 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.nasa.jpl.spacecraft3D|title=Spacecraft 3D - Android Apps on Google Play|work=google.com|access-date=22 March 2017}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://tdglobal.ksc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/KHB-1863?rhid=1000&did=35173&type=released&rev=$latest Kennedy Resource Encyclopedia] (includes some of the Technical Capabilities and Services and Facilities associated with LSP)
- [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/980.html SPHERES-Slosh Experiment]
- [http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/home/CubeSats_initiative.html CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI)]
- [https://explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Explorers Program]
{{NASA space program}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}