NASA engineering and safety center (nesc) cross-program analysis and review of exploration systems directorate (ESD) integrated vehicle modal test, model correlation, development flight…

NASA's Langley Research Center issued a delivery order to National Institute Of Aerospace Associates on March 19, 2018, with a ceiling value of $142,385 for cross-program analysis and review of structural dynamic models, modal testing, and flight loads readiness in support of the Space Launch Systems integrated vehicle development and Exploration Mission certification.

The order supports the NASA Engineering and Safety Center's evaluation of modal test planning, model correlation, and development flight instrumentation across the Exploration Systems Directorate programs. Work is performed in Hampton, VA. The order is priced on a cost-plus-fixed-fee basis and was scheduled for ultimate completion on October 31, 2022. No set-aside was used.

NASA engineering and safety center (nesc) cross-program analysis and review of exploration systems directorate (ESD) integrated vehicle modal test, model correlation, development flight instrumentation (DFI) and flight loads readiness. This assessment is envisioned to be a multi-year activity that spans the complete development of the space launch systems (SLS) integrated vehicle structural dynamic models, and the development of the certification of flight readiness (cofr) for the exploration mission (EM)-1 and EM-2 vehicles and their variants. The proposed nesc team will be a combination of NASA civil servants and contractors with experience in the development and validation of structural dynamic models and loads environments from past commercial, military, and NASA launch vehicle programs, such as the atlas, delta, space shuttle, and numerous spacecraft programs. This task is a joint effort with the ESD cross-program systems integration office and is CO-led by a representative from that office. This review will take a cross-program approach to evaluate the different testing undertaken by the individual programs and will include examination of how the SUM of the tests will support integrated system-level correlation and model validation. The review team is expected to identify concerns and gaps within these plans and schedules that affect the programs ability to support an integrated system verification loads analyses for EM-1, EM-2, and subsequent missions. The team is also expected to propose mitigations by test or analysis that address the concerns or gaps identified.