NASA Centennial Challenges Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge Preliminary Rules Discussion Saturday, November 6, 2010 Menlo

1. NASA Centennial Challenges Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge Preliminary Rules Discussion Saturday, November 6, 2010 Menlo Park, California Andrew Petro NASA Headquarters

2. Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion Eligibility Goal is to be inclusive - get the best ideas but keep a level playing field and not discourage new participants from diverse backgrounds US Congress dictates that prizes can only be awarded US entities or US citizens or permanent residents Teams maintain rights to their intellectual property Limits on government support for the effort Data or assets from government-funded work can be used if available to all Team registration required (comments on registration fees?) All team members specified – what constitutes a team member? Team reporting requirement – summary of expenditures The rules should not exclude satellite delivery concepts that are not conventional rocket vehicles.

3. Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion Challenge Attempts Advanced notification of attempt required: specified time period, number of attempts within time period (unlimited?), contingency days for weather, how far in advance for notification? When to make notification public? Attempts scheduled - one team at a time, without conflicts Scheduled time period more than one week Extent of on-site monitoring by judges (potentially long time commitment) Launch locations – limit to US?, any other limitations?

4. Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion Winning Criteria Winner is the first to accomplish the objective in a scheduled time period - As opposed to an open period with tie-breaker if more than one team is successful Objective: two satellites placed in Earth orbit within one week Definition of Earth orbit: Minimum altitude: x km No requirement for inclination, eccentricity or other parameters How to verify successful orbit? One orbit, two orbits to verify? (At what longitude does orbit begin?) Twice in one week – no more than 168 hours from completion of first orbit of first satellite to completion of first orbit of second satellite. (What is the best reference point?) Successful satellite deliveries do not have to be on successive attempts if still within time period.

5. Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion Winning Criteria – Continued Definition of Payload: Payload should not contain any components necessary for the operation of the launch vehicle or delivery system. The launch system should be able to function just as well if the payload were not present or were replaced with ballast. The payload cannot contain the computer or navigation system for the launch system. Payload Mass: At least 1 kg. Payload size – at least 10 cm in all three orthogonal dimensions Spherical, cylindrical or irregularly-shaped payloads must be able to contain an imaginary 10-cm cube. We don’t want to discourage larger payloads or multiple payloads. We do want to exclude award of prize for conventional satellite launches that incidentally meet criteria without demonstrating a cost-effective approach or innovation.

6. Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion Safety and Regulations Abide by all applicable laws and regulations FAA permits and licensing – may be a difference between test flights and orbital attempts Extent of inspections of systems and monitoring of operations – for judges and for regulators Range Safety and Other Safety Requirements – shutdown and abort systems propellant types considerations for unconventional systems

7. Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge - Preliminary Rules Discussion Other Rules Issues and Considerations Ideas for student involvement – directly or in parallel activities Other ideas and suggestions to enhance the value of the Challenge