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A structured, disciplined methodology is required to control major cost-influencing metrics of space transportation systems during design and continuing through the test and operations phases. This paper proposes controlling key space system design metrics that specifically influence life cycle costs. These are inclusive of flight and ground operations, test, and manufacturing and infrastructure. The proposed technique builds on today's configuration and mass properties control techniques and takes on all the characteristics of a classical control system. While the paper does not lay out a complete math model, key elements of the proposed methodology are explored and explained with both historical and contemporary examples. Finally, the paper encourages modular design approaches and technology investments compatible with the proposed method.

†Affordable and sustainable space exploration remains an elusive goal. We explore the competitive advantages of evolving towards independent operators for space transportation in our economy. We consider the pros and cons of evolving business organizations that operate and maintain space transportation system assets independently from flight system manufacturers and from host spaceports. The case is made that a more competitive business climate for creating inherently operable, dependable, and supportable space transportation systems can evolve out of today’s traditional vertical business model—a model within which the voice of the operator is often heard, but rarely acted upon during crucial design commitments and critical design processes. Thus new business models may be required, driven less by hardware consumption and more by space system utilization.

*Ground operations and infrastructure for human space exploration at the launch site was an important element of NASA’s recent Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS). This paper documents the architectural concept of operations and the key design challenges, considerations, and constraints—thus covering the overall rationale of the ground operations elements of the ESAS reference architecture. Driving this architecture was a constant assessment of the non-recurring affordability and the recurring operational performance and sustainability of the total ground system. The paper further describes the structured approach at defining the total ground system and insuring that as many ground operations and infrastructure functions were addressed so as to arrive at realistic cost estimates. Finally, the paper outlines the major operability and supportability drivers that were developed during the ESAS effort to encourage flight system concepts that were inherently simpler and more easily supported by the ground crew.