Lecture 27: Launch Operations

Author: Fadri Date: 16.12.2024 Lecturer: Deborah Müller Reading Ass: 27 Summaries: DRAFT: Launch Operations (../../DRAFT%20Launch%20Operations%2016f607ce73f8806abdbcc70181fc0a78.md)

Content Summary

• Worldwide launch sites and operators, launch orbits and trajectory analysis, architecture of launch vehicles, ecosystems and circular economics for vehicle disposal.
• Mission planning and scheduling, budgeting, supply chain management including fairings, boosters, propellant, and logistics for launcher assembly and integration.
• Payload integration, launch pad logistics, vehicle transfers and erection, stacking, infrastructure management including site access, employee training, safety, and work permits.
• Operations and procedures, countdown with quality and safety checks, weather constraints, launch window calculation, risk assessment, support systems management.
• Regulatory compliance for launch authorization, documentation, contracting, propellant loading, technical readiness reviews, launch sequences, post-launch operations, and common mistake handling.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the steps and considerations in launch operations, from supply chain planning & logistics, launch & mission scheduling, to payload integration, safety and quality controls up to launch.
• Identify the different support systems, such as ground equipment, tracking, photographers, vulnerability, quality controls, safety, logistics.
• Recognize the importance of weather constraints, launch windows & risk assessment, trajectory analysis.
• Explain safety measures, regulatory compliance, environmental considerations, as well as post-launch analysis.