COTS 1.0 (unfunded) SAA Milstones for 2007 - THE LIST

There was an interesting comment from a user, 'Hot Lips', here;

http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=4954#c

There is also a story by Alan Boyle (Cosmic Log) http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/ ... 90524.aspx , in which Dr.Kathuria (PlanetSpace asserts that they have met their first five milestones.


It got me thinking. Since there is no official site listing COTS 1.0 unfunded SAA milestone statuses, why not start a post and let readers update them as the press releases come out.

In the spirit of the holidays, I thought I would ask representatives of these companies to fill in their completed milestones.

Other companies like Armadillo are a veritable font of information and not shy about showing their progress warst and all. Companies like Blue Origin and Scaled Composites choose to be secrective about their work, but show results on their own schedule (that's O.K. too)

The difference is that they are all private companies doing private projects.

The following companies chose to obtain a public Space Act Agreement (albeit unfunded). But I think I can speak for everyone here by asking these companies for a year end wrap-up.


Here is the NASA site with the .pdf files.

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Constellation Services International - http://www.constellationservices.com/

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/pdf ... AA-CSI.pdf

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PlanetSpace - http://www.planetspace.org/

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/pdf ... ce_SAA.pdf

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SpaceDev - http://www.spacedev.com/

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/pdf ... aceDev.pdf

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SpaceHab - http://www.spacehab.com/

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/pdf ... acehab.pdf

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t/Space - http://www.transformspace.com/

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/pdf ... ce_SAA.pdf

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Constellation Services International - 2007 Milestones

September 2007
Milestone 1: ISS Requirements Review Description: Prior to initiation of the CSI demonstration mission program, CSI will lay out its assumptions for the specific ISS technical and program requirements that its subsequent operational systems must meet.

Technical issues to be provisionally resolved by CSI shall include:

1. Define specific functional, performance, safety, and other requirements that CSI
anticipates NASA will want CSI to provide proof of compliance with via a demonstration flight vs. use of other standard verification and validation (V&V) techniques: i.e. test, analysis, inspection, and/or similarity to existing ISS spacecraft and launch vehicles the CSI system is based on;

2. Review verification requirements and rationale;

3. Define allowable uses of ISS Russian Segment docking ports for delivery of pressurized and unpressurized cargo in light of existing and anticipated ISS configurations and operational capabilities;

4. Define operational limitations of specific ISS configurations for CSI mission(s);

5. Define mission reliability criteria for launch vehicle/space tug architectures;

6. Define ISS-mandated limitations on Progress space tug operations, including cargo unloading and trash loading timelines, propellant use restrictions (including Progress margins and scheduling of ISS propellant transfers), and lighting, communications, and secondary dissimilar range/rate sensor limitations beyond existing Progress requirements;

7. Develop schedule of operational missions to meet ISS requirements;

8. Verify that FAA procedures for nonrecoverable reentry do not require an explicit license.

Success Criteria: Completion of the ISS Requirements Review as described above with no forward work items and all review comments dispositioned.

October 2007
Milestone 2: Program Implementation Plan Review
Description: CSI shall host a kickoff meeting to describe internally the plan for program implementation, which includes management planning for Design, Development, Testing, & Evaluation (DDT&E), integrated schedule, financing, supplier engagement, risks and anticipated mitigations.
An additional objective of this review meeting is for CSI to brief their subcontractor team on the specifics of the demonstration mission plan, including any technical differences from the operational system.
Success Criteria: Completion of the Program Implementation Plan Review as described above with no forward work items and all review comments dispositioned.

November 2007
Milestone 3: CSI Long-lead Item Procurement ATP
Description: CSI will provide authorization to subcontractor for manufacturing start of standard Automated Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (ARPO) and docking mechanism subsystems.
Success Criteria: Completed contract negotiations for long-lead item procurement and contracts for ARPO and docking mechanism are signed.

December 2007
Milestone 4: SRR Update
Description: In accordance with the System Requirements Review (SRR) definition in NASA NPR 7123.1A "Systems Engineering Process & Requirements" and/or other applicable documents and processes, CSI shall conduct a demonstration mission-specific update of the SRR that was previously held on March 18-19, 2003 during the NASA Alternate Access to Station (AAS) program under contract NAS8-02094.
Success Criteria: Completion of the SRR as described above in accordance with NPR7123.1A success SRR success criteria.

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PlanetSpace - 2007 Milestones

June 2007
Milestone 1: Silver Dart CFD aerodynamics
Description: CFD analysis up to Mach 5 for Silver Dart
Success Criteria: Completed analysis of Lift to Drag vs. Angle of Attack data shows the current suborbital TPS will operate to Mach 5

June 2007
Milestone 2: Booster & Dart CFD aerodynamics
Description: CFD analysis of launch and flight of booster and Silver Dart
Success Criteria: Completed analysis of lift to Drag vs. Angle of Attack and aerodynamic heating are matched to predicted normal operation for the current design during launch to orbit.

June 2007
Milestone 3: Complete Engineering mockup of Silver Dart
Description: Full scale engineering mockup of Silver Dart with completed interior for cargo and crew
Success Criteria: Engineering mockup construction completed and road transport capability proven.

June 2007
Milestone 4: Launch site approval
Description: Selection of a Canadian Launch site with Transport Canada (TC) and FAA approval to proceed.
Success Criteria: Signed letter from TC and, if required, the FAA with preliminary approval to develop Nova Scotia as an orbital launch site.

June 2007
Milestone 5: Select Launch site in Nova Scotia
Description: Selection of actual real-estate for development as a Nova Scotia launch site.
Success Criteria: Executed document showing title to parcel of land in Cape Breton for orbital launch complex

Sept 2007

Milestone 6: Test stand infrastructure
Description: Construction of the test stand.
Success Criteria: Poured concrete blast deflector and steel hold down structure including control bunker structure

Sept 2007
Milestone 7: Complete assembly of 3rd stage
Description: Production of tanks and aerodynamic faring.
Success Criteria: Finished production of
- Outer aerodynamic skin complete with ribs and stringers
- Propellant Tanks with complete plumbing to top of engine valves
- Aerodynamic engine shroud with four fins (tail structure)

Sept 2007
Milestone 8: Ablative Liner Manufacture
Description: Various methods of ablative material application tests.
Success Criteria: Successful production of quality ablative nozzle parts in preparation for hot fire test as listed below:
- Four batches of tape-wound ablative materials with the diameter of V2 engine throat section
- One batch of molded silicone material with filler with the diameter of V2 engine exit cone.
- Binder with documents showing production data for all samples with quality control verification of all production test parts.
- Analysis of production and quality data and selection of the ideal ablative production method based on the data.

Dec 2007
Milestone 9: Ablative Liner hot fire test
Description: Each sample from the previous milestone is hot fire tested to evaluate performance.
Success Criteria: All ablative liner parts are test fired to prove they can withstand 105 second burn time without burn through.

Dec 2007
Milestone 10: Captured test of third stage
Description: A full duration burn of the third stage
Success Criteria: All data from all systems during captured test are considered nominal and stage is cleared for first flight.

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SpaceDev - 2007 Milestones

June 2007
Milestone 1: Develop Outer Mold Line (OML) of DC-1
Description: The OML of the SpaceDev Dream Chaser TM Space Vehicle (DC-1) is defined and ready for tooling.
Success Criteria: Continuous digital surface matching of the OML to the baseline HL-20 wind tunnel model.

September 2007
Milestone 2: Flight test Plan for DC-1
Description: The flight test plan for the DC-1 will define the objectives and schedule for all the Suborbital flight testing.
Success Criteria: SpaceDev review and approval of the flight test plan.

December 2007
Milestone 3: PDR of DC-1 Vehicle
Description: Preliminary design review (PDR) of the DC-1 and identification of the initial Launch Vehicle.
Success Criteria: Completion of SpaceDev conducted DC-1 PDR per internal SpaceDev processes and procedures. All comments are dispositioned and issue closure plans are in place.

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SpaceHab - 2007 Milestones

June 2007
Milestone 1: Program Management Plan (PMP) Review
Description: SPACEHAB shall conduct a program management plan review detailing the management planning for Design, Development, Testing & Evaluation (DDT&E), integrated schedules, supplier engagement, risks and anticipated mitigations.
Success Criteria: Completion of the program management plan review as described above with all comments dispositioned and issue closure plans in place.

September 2007
Milestone 2: System Requirements Review
Description: SPACEHAB shall conduct a System Requirements Review (SRR) in accordance with the SRR definition in the SPACEHAB QMS Procedure SHI-SMS-P0036, Product Development.
Success Criteria: Completion of the SRR with all comments dispositioned and issue closure plans in place.

December 2007
Milestone 3: System Preliminary Design Review
Description: SPACEHAB shall conduct a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in accordance with SPACEHAB QMS Procedure SHI-MS-P0036, Product Development.
Success Criteria: Completion of the PDR with all comments dispositioned and issue closure plans in place.

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t/Space - 2007 Milestones

Oct 2007
Milestone 1: Structural Definition
Description: t/Space shall complete the Crew Transfer Vehicle (CXV) structural definition.
Success criteria:
1) Preliminary specifications complete:
a) CAD drawing delivered.
b) Mass properties report delivered.
c) Structural, dynamic and thermal analysis reports delivered.

Dec 2007
Milestone 2: Facility Readiness Review
Description: t/Space shall conduct a Design and Fabrication Facility Readiness Review.
Success criteria:
1) The facility is determined to be adequate for design and fabrication activities.
2) The facility is ready to be placed in an operational status before arrival of spacecraft hardware.
3) All facility deficiencies have been documented and are accepted by contractor for correction with agreed schedule.
4) Facility lease contract is signed.

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Constellation Services International - 2007 Milestones

September 2007
Milestone 1: (Status ?)

October 2007
Milestone 2: (Status ?)

November 2007
Milestone 3: (Status ?)

December 2007
Milestone 4: (Status ?)

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PlanetSpace - 2007 Milestones

June 2007
Milestone 1: (Status ?)

June 2007
Milestone 2: (Status ?)

June 2007
Milestone 3: (Status ?)

June 2007
Milestone 4: (Status ?)

June 2007
Milestone 5: (Status ?)

Sept 2007

Milestone 6: (Status ?)

Sept 2007
Milestone 7: (Status ?)

Sept 2007
Milestone 8: (Status ?)

Dec 2007
Milestone 9: (Status ?)

Dec 2007
Milestone 10: (Status ?)

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SpaceDev - 2007 Milestones

June 2007
Milestone 1: (Status ?)

September 2007
Milestone 2: (Status ?)

December 2007
Milestone 3: (Status ?)

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SpaceHab - 2007 Milestones

June 2007
Milestone 1: (Status ?)

September 2007
Milestone 2: (Status ?)

December 2007
Milestone 3: (Status ?)

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t/Space - 2007 Milestones

Oct 2007
Milestone 1: (Status ?)

Dec 2007
Milestone 2: (Status ?)
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Sorry for the Marathon lenght of this post. I just wanted to provide easy access to the relevant information.

I haven't filled in ANY of the milestones. I know several companies have issued press releases indicating thier completion. Feel free to document any you wish. I am holding out for company representatives, but anyone from the community is welcome to address any as well.

My $ 0.02 worth.

Buck this is a great post you have done here.
And it clearly lays out what each of these companies is committed to doing.

What I am not clear about is the rather large discrepancy between the COTS 1 competitors and their milestones.
My understanding about the process is that the individual companies worked together with NASA to develop there desired milestones for their Unfunded SAA's.

Looks like Planetspace is the odd man out here. Why would they not do like the rest of the group and select similar milestones.
As the saying goes "the bigger they are, the harder they fall".
As far as I know they have not been able to prove that they have achieved any of these milestones at all.
I believe that Kathuria was handing Alan Boyle a line here, when he claimed they have met their first five milestones.
Seems that is the case especially for milestone 5. They don’t have a location and ‘title’ for any land yet.
Plus that still puts them reaching for June milestones. They have missed those plus, September, and they are currently on track to missing December milestones as well.