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Space Transportation Systems Operations Data
NASA has a long history of sharing data so that others may take advantage of the knowledge gained and further the NASA mission. This knowledge has been gained at great cost - in human lives, resources, and energies diverted. The NASA Authorization Act of 2005 states:

(2) CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION.—In carrying out the programs of NASA, the Administrator shall— (A) consult and coordinate to the extent appropriate with other relevant Federal agencies, including through the National Science and Technology Council; (B) work closely with the private sector, including by— (i) encouraging the work of entrepreneurs who are seeking to develop new means to launch satellites, crew, or cargo; (ii) contracting with the private sector for crew and cargo services, including to the International Space Station, to the extent practicable; (iii) using commercially available products (including software) and services to the extent practicable to support all NASA activities; and (iv) encouraging commercial use and development of space to the greatest extent practicable; and (C) involve other nations to the extent appropriate.

The spread of knowledge about human space flight safety, cost and reliability encourages growth toward an open space frontier, in the same vein as the sharing of wind-tunnel data -

"All research projects undertaken by the NACA sought to compile fundamental aeronautical knowledge applicable to all flight, rather than working on a specific type of aircraft design, because that looked too much like catering to a particular aeronautical firm.” The First Century of Flight: NACA/NASA Contributions to Aeronautics" http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlnasa/pictures/poster/FirstCenturyofFlight.pdf

Numerous space transportation systems operations research efforts have focused on human space flight and the Space Shuttle. Data available throughout this site is tagged red as "DATA" in it's appropriate subject context. For example, one recent KSC effort was the "Space Shuttle Root Cause Analysis Study".

The term "data" is used here almost exclusively with reference to hard-data of the sort that comes from actual human space flight, for example the process time or labor-hours to prepare a Shuttle propulsion sub-system for launch at the Kennedy Space Center. Data compilations that include averages, curve fits, sums or such clear cut distillations, showing the raw data, fit the term "data" as it is used here. The term is not used here in the sense of an output of a tool once such data has been manipulated to a significant degree or the pedigree to the original data is not shown.

Data Samples

For specific data related questions or assistance on potential sources, contact Edgar Zapata, NASA Kennedy Space Center, at 321-867-6234.

Above, Sample Cost Data, the Shuttle Program circa 2002. Courtesy Jim Costello, NASA JSC (at the time).

Above, Sample Processing Time Data, the Shuttle VAB Processing/Integration, a Compilation of Many Flows. Courtesy Grant Cates, NASA KSC (at the time).

Sub-Systems Overviews, Manual

Costs

  • The Rand Study -"Report of the Space Shuttle Competitive Sourcing Task Force" released December 2002. Updated cost DATA on the Shuttle program is detailed in the reports.

Cost Estimating

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Website Contact: Edgar Zapata, NASA Kennedy Space Center