Attachment 04_Definitions.pdf

VADR RFP ATTACHMENT 04 - DEFINITIONS 80KSC021R0034 Rev A

ATTACHMENT 04

DEFINITIONS

for

Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR)

Launch Services

Anomaly: An unexpected event that can reasonably be considered to pose mission success implications for current and subsequent NASA missions.

Authority to Proceed (ATP): Notification from the Contracting Officer via task order award to proceed with work on either a Launch Service Task Order (LSTO) or Special Task Assignment.

Baseline Interface Control Document (ICD): First approved and signed release of ICD.

Certified Common Launch Vehicle Configurations: A common launch vehicle configuration which has met the requirements defined in NPD 8610.7 for a specific launch vehicle risk category.

Common Launch Vehicle Configuration (CLVC): A distinct combination of core propulsive stages and launch vehicle hardware used to deliver payloads to earth orbit or escape trajectories.

Common Launch Vehicle Configuration Changes: Items that substantially affect the airframe integrity, operating time, specific impulse, the thrust and/or the mass of one or more core propulsive stages are considered changes to the common launch vehicle configuration. Examples of vehicle configuration changes include the replacement of engine(s), core propulsive stages, and/or major airframe structures (e.g. significant stage length increase and/or major changes in primary load path).

A change in thrust of any core stage engine greater than 10% and/or a change in propellant mass of a core stage greater than 10% constitutes a change to the common launch vehicle configuration.

Common Launch Vehicle Configuration Upgrades or Modifications: Items that do not substantially affect operating time, total impulse, and/or the thrust profile of one or more propulsive stages are considered upgrades or modifications to the certified common vehicle configuration. Examples of upgrades and modifications include changes in avionics, software, payload fairing, payload electrical/mechanical interfaces, incorporation of mission specific requirements, and the addition or deletion of a final stage (exclusively used for orbit circularization or escape), strap-on motors, and/or trim stage. Upgrades or modifications are not to be interpreted as common launch vehicle configuration changes.

Controlling Interest: Ownership of an amount of equity in such entity sufficient to direct management or to void transactions entered into by management.

Core Propulsive Stages: All propulsive stages except strap-on motors, final stages (exclusively used for orbit circularization or escape), and trim stages.

Covered Launch Activities: Any and all activities involved in the preparation of a launch vehicle and payload for launch, and conduct of the launch, when those activities take place at a launch site in the United States.

Dedicated: The Government is allocated the full performance capacity of the launch vehicle for sole use by the Government’s payload(s).

First Flight Item: A first flight item is the planned use of a component for which NASA will be one of the first three flights or uses, and/or which affects qualification margins or subsystem performance and interfaces. The term “flight” is used generically to include all airborne systems and ground systems used to meet payload requirements and ground systems with direct interfaces to the vehicle. Additionally, any change of vender of a major component or manufacturing site relocation will be considered a first flight item if a NASA mission is planned to be one of the first three uses of the new component.

Integrated Procedures: Launch vehicle procedures used for various operations that involve the payload and/or the launch vehicle/payload interfaces.

Launch: The intentional ignition of the first-stage motor(s) of the launch vehicle that has been integrated with the payload.

Launch Services: All services required in the performance of this contract, excluding those necessary to produce or manufacture launch vehicles, its components and other equipment and facilities required in the performance of the contract.

Launch Vehicle: An object, or any part thereof, intended for launch, launched from Earth, or returning to Earth which carries Payloads or persons, or both. This includes the common launch vehicle configuration, non-core propulsive stage(s), the payload fairing, the payload adapter(s) and separation system(s).

Limited Launch Period: Daily launch opportunities constrained by blackout periods associated with scientific requirements (e.g., planetary, lunar, seasonal, and/or lunar exclusions).

Mission Integration Start: The mission integration will start at the ATP when the launch service is awarded. The baseline assumptions under this contract for CLIN 1 is L-24 plus or minus 3 months and for CLIN 2 is L-15 plus or minus 3 months, but the integration cycle for each mission will be determined at the task order level.

Mission Specific: All standard, non-standard, first flight, and any services provided that are newly performed or developed specifically to meet the requirements of the payload and mission.

Non-Core Propulsive Stage: Any upper stage not included as part of the common launch vehicle configuration (e.g. orbital transfer vehicle, tugs, propulsive secondary payload adapters, kick stage, spacecraft bus).

Party or Parties: The Contractor or NASA, or both.

Payload or Spacecraft: All NASA or NASA-sponsored equipment that has been or will be integrated with the launch vehicle for transportation into earth orbit or escape trajectories. Payload and spacecraft are used synonymously throughout the document.

Preliminary ICD: Working copy of the ICD released prior to the first signed release.

Rideshare: The Government is allocated a portion of the full performance capability of the launch vehicle for use by the Government’s payload(s). The launch vehicle provider is allowed to utilize excess capacity for other payloads.

(i) Traditional rideshare missions are defined as follows: the Government has flexibility on some orbit parameters for the task order mission (to be defined at the task order level); does not control the other mission’s(s’) orbits, order of payload deployment, or the launch schedule; and does not have the right to refuse other payloads on the mission.

(ii) Primary rideshare missions are defined as follows: The Government will require, or the Contractor’s approach shall state, that the payload be designated as the primary payload that controls both the schedule (launch day and time) and specific orbit parameters of the launch, including the Government’s payload separation sequence. If the primary payload is not ready on schedule, the Contractor shall not launch without it.

Third Party: Any person or entity other than NASA, the Contractor, and related parties.