D4ops: Design for Operations of Future Reusable Launch Systems

Designers of space launch systems should be cognizant of the impact of their design assumptions on operational characteristics. Operational metrics such as turnaround time, recurring cost, and headcount are critical factors for the future viability of such systems. The results presented here are from a study that seeks to determine in what manner design approaches can improve the operability of future space launch systems. This is accomplished by applying such operational approaches at the start of the concept design process. These design for operations (D4Ops) choices or approaches are determined from data-mining NASA Space Shuttle orbiter processing information. These approaches are then applied to three different launch vehicle contexts created for this study and based on existing NASA reference designs. These contexts include near (2010), mid (2015), and far (2025+) term examples. Specific lessons about the D4Ops approaches, as learned from the first two examples, are then applied to the far term context. Weighted rankings of the impact of these approaches on various metrics of interest are provided.