Dynamic Launch Window Determination for Space Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current space launch infrastructure is manpower intensive, technologically antiquated, and expensive, struggling to support the increasing demand for commercial space launches, with limited launch windows and inefficiencies in airspace management leading to delayed launches and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic space launch opportunity determination and coordination system that integrates data from various sources, including satellite catalogs, airspace tracking, maritime systems, and weather monitoring, to dynamically determine safe and compliant launch windows, using a federated architecture and real-time algorithms to enable more flexible and frequent launches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the DoD provides launch services on an excess capacity basis, then commercial space launches can be supported, but the infrastructure becomes manpower intensive, technologically antiquated, and expensive to operate and sustain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual, manpower-intensive processes with automated computational systems. The launch opportunity determination system uses algorithms and software to automatically analyze data from multiple sources (weather, orbital debris, airspace tracking, maritime systems) and determine launch window availability, eliminating the need for extensive human analysis and reducing dependency on antiquated manual infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables launch providers to independently determine launch opportunities using automated algorithms that self-evaluate multiple data sources. The system serves itself by automatically processing data feeds from weather monitoring, orbital catalogs, airspace tracking, and maritime systems to generate launch window recommendations without requiring constant DoD intervention or manual infrastructure support.
2Reliability
If traditional launch window determination methods are used, then safety can be ensured, but launch windows are limited and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic launch window determination that adapts to real-time conditions. Instead of fixed, predetermined launch windows, the system continuously evaluates changing parameters (weather conditions, orbital debris positions, airspace availability, maritime traffic) and dynamically adjusts launch opportunity recommendations, allowing for more frequent launches while maintaining safety through real-time assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where data from multiple monitoring sources is constantly fed into the determination algorithm. The system receives real-time updates on weather conditions, orbital object positions, airspace status, and maritime traffic, processes this feedback information, and adjusts launch window recommendations accordingly, enabling both safety assurance and increased launch frequency.
3Reliability
If comprehensive data analysis is performed to determine safe launch windows, then public safety and mission assurance are improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data processing and analysis in advance of actual launch decisions. By continuously pre-processing data from weather monitoring, orbital catalogs, airspace tracking, and maritime systems, the system maintains ready-to-analyze information structures that can be quickly evaluated when launch decisions are needed, reducing real-time processing requirements while maintaining comprehensive safety analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments may enable the identification of launch opportunities. The integrated approach of the various embodiments leverages instrumentation, data and communication systems available about, or from, the National Airspace System (NAS), Marine Transportation System (MTS), and orbital catalog to enable safe passage for space vehicles, passengers, and payloads. The condition-based launch criteria of the various embodiments may improve mission assurance and public safety while simultaneously supporting a customer's launch on readiness schedule.