Floating launch vehicle operations platform

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A floating launch vehicle operations platform is a marine vessel used for launch or landing operations of an orbital launch vehicle by a launch service provider: putting satellites into orbit around Earth or another celestial body, or recovering first-stage boosters from orbital-class flights by making a propulsive landing on the platform.

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In the early decades of spaceflight technology, all orbital launch vehicle operations were exclusively from land, and all booster stages were expended after a single use for nearly 60 years after the first orbital spaceflight, Sputnik 1. After the late 1990s and into the 2010s, new marine options for launch were built. Landing of orbital-class boosters began to be accomplished in 2015. More platforms, both for launch and landing, are currently in construction or planned.

Suborbital rockets and ballistic missiles had been launched from marine platforms earlier than the 1990s, but are not the topic of this article.

Platforms to date

Both floating launch platform and floating landing platforms have been placed into use by orbital launch service providers as of 2020. Additionally, at least two new rocket landing platforms and one new launch platform are under construction as of 2020.

There are currently at least five instances of marine launch or landing platforms:

In addition to the historical and current platforms, other entities have considered utilizing a floating landing platform.

History

Floating launch platforms

Orbital launch platforms were initially[ when? ] modified ships,[ citation needed ] but specific platforms were later produced specifically to be orbital launch vessels.

The concept was pioneered in the late 1990s by a US, Russian, Norwegian and Ukrainian commercial consortium. [12] The Chinese space agency did their first orbital launch from a ship in 2019. It was unclear if the shipboard launch was a special demonstration mission, or if China was putting a new launch service provider capability into place. [2]

Floating landing platforms

All early orbital launch vehicle stages were expended, the booster stages were destroyed when re-entering the atmosphere or on impact with the ground or ocean. After over four years of research and technology development, SpaceX first landed Falcon 9 boosters on land in 2015, [13] on a floating landing platform in 2016, [14] and has been reusing boosters routinely since 2017, with most of the recovered boosters landing on a platform at sea.

After attempts to land orbital rocket booster stages by parachute failed in the late 2000s, SpaceX began to develop reusable technology in the early 2010s, when they contracted with a Louisiana shipyard to build a floating landing platform to land their launch vehicles. The platform had an approximately 90 by 50 meters (300 ft × 160 ft) landing pad surface and was capable of precision positioning with diesel-powered azimuth thrusters [15] so the platform can hold its position for launch vehicle landing. This platform was first deployed in January 2015 [16] when SpaceX attempted a controlled descent flight test to land the first stage of Falcon 9 flight 14 on a solid surface after it was used to loft a contracted payload toward Earth orbit. [17] [18] The platform utilizes GPS position information to navigate and hold its precise position. [19] The rocket landing leg span is 18 m (60 ft) and must not only land within the 52 m (170 ft)-wide barge deck, but must also deal with ocean swells and GPS errors. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk first displayed a photograph of the newly designated "autonomous spaceport drone ship" in November 2014. The ship is designed to hold position to within 3 meters (9.8 ft), even under storm conditions. [20]

On 8 April 2016, the first stage of the rocket that launched the Dragon  C110 spacecraft ahead of CRS-8, successfully landed on the drone ship named Of Course I Still Love You, the first successful landing of a rocket booster on a floating platform. [14] By early 2018, SpaceX had two operational drone ships and had a third under construction. By September 2018, sea platform landings had become routine for the SpaceX launch vehicles, with over 23 attempted and 17 successful recoveries. [21]

As of 2018, Blue Origin is intending to make the first stage boosters of New Glenn be reusable, and recover launched boosters on the Atlantic Ocean, downrange of their Florida launch site, via a stabilized ship that is underway, acting as a moving floating landing platform. The hydrodynamically-stabilized ship is projected to increase the likelihood of successful recovery in rough seas. [22]

In October 2018, the ship was disclosed to be the LPV, built in 2004 as a roll-on/roll-off cargo ship. The LPV was undergoing refit in 2018–2019 in Pensacola, Florida. [23] [ needs update ]

Operation

Floating platforms have the benefit of being able to receive or launch space launch vehicles out on the open ocean to keep the operation away from populated areas, for reasons of safety. [24]

Floating launch platforms can be moved substantial distances across the ocean, to be repositioned for launches. [25] I

The use of a floating launch platform allows for the rocket to be positioned more easily than with a fixed launch pad on land. For example, Sea Launch moved their platform closer to Earth's equator to gain a bit of extra momentum and gain additional performance from the rocket. The Chinese Long March 11 did something similar for its 2019 sea launch. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reusable launch vehicle</span> Vehicles that can go to space and return

A reusable launch vehicle has parts that can be recovered and reflown, while carrying payloads from the surface to outer space. Rocket stages are the most common launch vehicle parts aimed for reuse. Smaller parts such as rocket engines and boosters can also be reused, though reusable spacecraft may be launched on top of an expendable launch vehicle. Reusable launch vehicles do not need to make these parts for each launch, therefore reducing its launch cost significantly. However, these benefits are diminished by the cost of recovery and refurbishment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Booster (rocketry)</span> Rocket used to augment the thrust of a larger rocket

A booster is a rocket used either in the first stage of a multistage launch vehicle or in parallel with longer-burning sustainer rockets to augment the space vehicle's takeoff thrust and payload capability. Boosters are traditionally necessary to launch spacecraft into low Earth orbit, and are especially important for a space vehicle to go beyond Earth orbit. The booster is dropped to fall back to Earth once its fuel is expended, a point known as booster engine cut-off (BECO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Launch vehicle</span> Rocket used to carry a spacecraft into space

A launch vehicle is typically a rocket-powered vehicle designed to carry a payload from Earth's surface or lower atmosphere to outer space. The most common form is the ballistic missile-shaped multistage rocket, but the term is more general and also encompasses vehicles like the Space Shuttle. Most launch vehicles operate from a launch pad, supported by a launch control center and systems such as vehicle assembly and fueling. Launch vehicles are engineered with advanced aerodynamics and technologies, which contribute to high operating costs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Very large floating structure</span> Artificial islands used as infrastructure in aquatic environments

Very large floating structures (VLFSs) or very large floating platforms (VLFPs) are artificial islands, which may be constructed to create floating airports, bridges, breakwaters, piers and docks, storage facilities, wind and solar power plants, for military purposes, to create industrial space, emergency bases, entertainment facilities, recreation parks, mobile offshore structures and even for habitation. Currently, several different concepts have been proposed for building floating cities or huge living complexes. Some units have been constructed and are presently in operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VTVL</span> Method of takeoff and landing used by rockets; vertical takeoff, vertical landing

Vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) is a form of takeoff and landing for rockets. Multiple VTVL craft have flown. The most widely known and commercially successful VTVL rocket is SpaceX's Falcon 9 first stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4</span> Rocket launch complex at Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States

Space Launch Complex 4 (SLC-4) is a launch and landing site at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, U.S. It has two pads, both of which are used by SpaceX for Falcon 9, one for launch operations, and other as Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) for SpaceX landings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falcon 9 prototypes</span> Test vehicles developed by SpaceX

Falcon 9 prototypes were experimental flight test reusable rockets that performed vertical takeoffs and landings. The project was privately funded by SpaceX, with no funds provided by any government until later on. Two prototypes were built, and both were launched from the ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX reusable launch system development program</span> Effort by SpaceX to make rockets that can fly multiple times

SpaceX has privately funded the development of orbital launch systems that can be reused many times, similar to the reusability of aircraft. SpaceX has developed technologies over the last decade to facilitate full and rapid reuse of space launch vehicles. The project's long-term objectives include returning a launch vehicle first stage to the launch site within minutes and to return a second stage to the launch pad following orbital realignment with the launch site and atmospheric reentry in up to 24 hours. SpaceX's long term goal would have been reusability of both stages of their orbital launch vehicle, and the first stage would be designed to allow reuse a few hours after return. Development of reusable second stages for Falcon 9 was later abandoned in favor of the development of Starship, however, SpaceX has been developing reusable payload fairings for the Falcon 9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-8</span> 2016 American spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-8, also known as SpX-8, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station (ISS) which was launched on April 8, 2016, at 20:43 UTC. It was the 23rd flight of a Falcon 9 rocket, the tenth flight of a Dragon cargo spacecraft and the eighth operational mission contracted to SpaceX by NASA under the Commercial Resupply Services program. The capsule carried over 3,100 kilograms (6,800 lb) of cargo to the ISS including the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), a prototype inflatable space habitat delivered in the vehicle's trunk, which was attached to the station and, as of May 2022, is expected to remain so for five more full years of in-orbit viability tests.

SpaceX has stated its ambition to facilitate the colonization of Mars via the development of the Starship launch vehicle. The company claims that this is necessary for the long-term survival of the human species and that its Mars program will reduce space transportation costs, thereby making travel to Mars a more realistic possibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX facilities</span> Launch facilities used by SpaceX

As of 2023, SpaceX operates four launch facilities: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Vandenberg Space Force Base Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E), Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A), and Brownsville South Texas Launch Site (Starbase). Space Launch Complex 40 was damaged in the AMOS-6 accident in September 2016 and repair work was completed by December 2017. SpaceX believes that they can optimize their launch operations, and reduce launch costs, by dividing their launch missions amongst these four launch facilities: LC-39A for NASA launches, SLC-40 for United States Space Force national security launches, SLC-4E for polar launches, and South Texas Launch Site for commercial launches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-5</span> 2015 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-5, also known as SpX-5, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station (ISS), conducted by SpaceX for NASA, and was launched on 10 January 2015 and ended on 11 February 2015. It was the seventh flight for SpaceX's uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft and the fifth SpaceX operational mission contracted to NASA under an ISS resupply services contract.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX CRS-6</span> 2015 American resupply spaceflight to the ISS

SpaceX CRS-6, also known as SpX-6, was a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station, contracted to NASA. It was the eighth flight for SpaceX's uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft and the sixth SpaceX operational mission contracted to NASA under a Commercial Resupply Services contract. It was docked to the International Space Station from 17 April to 21 May 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falcon 9 v1.1</span> Second version of SpaceXs Falcon 9 orbital launch vehicle

Falcon 9 v1.1 was the second version of SpaceX's Falcon 9 orbital launch vehicle. The rocket was developed in 2011–2013, made its maiden launch in September 2013, and its final flight in January 2016. The Falcon 9 rocket was fully designed, manufactured, and operated by SpaceX. Following the second Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) launch, the initial version Falcon 9 v1.0 was retired from use and replaced by the v1.1 version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falcon 9 first-stage landing tests</span> Proofs of the SpaceX boosters reusability

The Falcon 9 first-stage landing tests were a series of controlled-descent flight tests conducted by SpaceX between 2013 and 2016. Since 2017, the first stage of Falcon 9 missions has been routinely landed if the rocket performance allowed it, and if SpaceX chose to recover the stage.

Autonomous spaceport drone ship Floating landing platform operated by SpaceX

An autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) is an ocean-going vessel derived from a deck barge, outfitted with station-keeping engines and a large landing platform, and is autonomously positioned when on station for a landing. Construction of the drone ships was commissioned by aerospace company SpaceX to allow recovery of launch vehicle boosters at sea for missions that do not carry sufficient fuel to return to the launch site after boosting spacecraft onto an orbital or interplanetary trajectory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falcon 9 Full Thrust</span> Third major version of the SpaceX Falcon 9 orbital launch vehicle

Falcon 9 Full Thrust is a partially reusable medium-lift launch vehicle, designed and manufactured by SpaceX. It was first designed in 2014–2015, with its first launch operations in December 2015. As of 22 October 2023, Falcon 9 Full Thrust had performed 246 launches without any failures. Based on the Lewis point estimate of reliability, this rocket is the most reliable orbital launch vehicle currently in operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landing Zones 1 and 2</span> SpaceXs landing facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Landing Zone 1 and Landing Zone 2, also known as LZ-1 and LZ-2 respectively, are landing facilities on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for recovering components of SpaceX's VTVL reusable launch vehicles. LZ-1 and LZ-2 were built on land leased in February 2015, on the site of the former Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 13. SpaceX built Landing Zone 2 at the facility to have a second landing pad, allowing two Falcon Heavy boosters to land simultaneously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpaceX Starship</span> Super heavy-lift reusable launch vehicle

Starship is a two-stage super heavy lift launch vehicle under development by SpaceX. It is currently the tallest and most powerful space launch vehicle to have flown. Starship is intended to be fully reusable, enabling the vehicle to be recovered after a mission and reused.

References

  1. ↑ "SpaceX Launches Eighth Starlink Mission, Read The Instructions With East Coast Droneship Debut". NASASpaceFlight.com . 3 June 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  2. 1 2 "China launches first space rocket from a sea platform". DefencePoint.com. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  3. ↑ "Ahoy, Jacklyn! Jeff Bezos names Blue Origin's rocket recovery ship after his mom". GeekWire. 29 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  4. ↑ "Used Ro/Ro Will Become Blue Origin's Rocket Landing Pad". The Maritime Executive. 23 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  5. ↑ Sheetz, Michael (19 January 2021). "SpaceX bought two former Valaris oil rigs to build floating launchpads for its Starship rocket". CNBC . Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  6. ↑ Burghardt, Thomas (19 January 2021). "SpaceX acquires former oil rigs to serve as floating Starship spaceports". NASASpaceFlight . Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  7. ↑ Mosher, Dave (16 June 2020). "Elon Musk: 'SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports' for its Starship rocket to reach the moon, Mars, and fly passengers around Earth". Business Insider . Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  8. ↑ Foust, Jeff (14 February 2023). "SpaceX drops plans to convert oil rigs into launch platforms". SpaceNews . Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  9. ↑ Foust, Jeff (1 March 2021). "Rocket Lab to go public through SPAC merger and develop medium-lift rocket". SpaceNews . Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  10. ↑ Berger, Eric (2 December 2021). "Rocket Lab's next booster is stubby, reusable, and has a Bond-movie fairing". Ars Technica . Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  11. ↑ NSF Live: The future of Astra with Founder and CEO Chris Kemp, NasaSpaceFlight.com, @59:23, 5 June 2021, accessed 14 June 2021.
  12. ↑ "The Sea Launch Partnership". Energia. 14 February 2001. Archived from the original on 14 February 2001.
  13. ↑ Grush, Loren (21 December 2015). "SpaceX successfully landed its Falcon 9 rocket after launching it to space". The Verge . Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  14. 1 2 Drake, Nadia (8 April 2016). "SpaceX Rocket Makes Spectacular Landing on Drone Ship". National Geographic . Retrieved April 8, 2016. To space and back, in less than nine minutes? Hello, future.
  15. ↑ "SpaceX Announces Spaceport Barge Positioned by Thrustmaster's Thrusters". Thrustmaster. 22 November 2014. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  16. ↑ Bergin, Chris (17 December 2014). "SpaceX confirms CRS-5 launch slip to 6 January". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  17. ↑ Foust, Jeff (25 October 2014). "Next Falcon 9 Launch Could See First-stage Platform Landing". Space News. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  18. ↑ Bullis, Kevin (25 October 2014). "SpaceX Plans to Start Reusing Rockets Next Year". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  19. ↑ Dean, James (24 October 2014). "SpaceX to attempt Falcon 9 booster landing on floating platform" . Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  20. ↑ Musk, Elon (22 November 2014). "Autonomous spaceport drone ship". SpaceX. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  21. ↑ SpaceX to attempt five recoveries in less than two weeks as fleet activity ramps up, NASAspaceflight.com, 19 July 2018, accessed 2 August 2018.
  22. ↑ Burghardt, Thomas (20 September 2018). "Building on New Shepard, Blue Origin to pump a billion dollars into New Glenn readiness". NASASpaceFlight.com . Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  23. ↑ Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin ship to be used for rocket landings docked at Port of Pensacola, Pensacola News Journal, 24 October 2018, accessed 4 November 2018.
  24. ↑ Wall, Mike. "SpaceX wants to build an offshore spaceport near Texas for Starship Mars rocket". Space.com. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  25. ↑ Floating Platform Of Sea Launch Project Arrives In Russia's Far East, Portnews, 26 March 2020, accessed 19 December 2020
  26. ↑ "Space: China launches first rocket from the sea". Allianz Partners. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
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