Assignment writing agencies online

Assignment writing agencies online

Assignment writing agencies online

Assignment 1: Developing a Cislunar Space Economy

Boston University

MET AD 642 Project Management

(2018 Summer Term 1)

Assignment

2

Abstract

On October 19th, 2018 , United Launch Alliance referred to as “ULA”, announced their partnership with Bigelow Aerospace to launch B330, a space habitat that will

reside in the lower orbit. This paper will explain the details of the project and ULA’s

involvement. We will evaluate how the company’s overarching core values align

with the mission of this project, while simultaneously assessing the Cislunar

economy business development opportunity. The results of my research will deem

this project a good fit for the company and my recommendation will be to continue

to pursue it. However, this paper will also point out the shortcomings of human

spaceflight in history, noting key lessons learned the company must be mindful of in

order to be successful in their future endeavor.

Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 B330 Project: Scope, Schedule, and Cost…………….………………………………………………………. 3 Mission, Vision, and Values: ULA v. B330…………………………………………………………………… 3 Cislunar Economy’s Impact and Justification………………………………………………………………. 5 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5 References:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6

Assignment 1 D. Bowie

3

B330 Project: Scope, Schedule, and Cost

As recently announced, ULA has joined forces with Bigelow Aerospace to develop a

commercial cislunar habitat that will operate as a depot in lower lunar orbit. The

project includes developing a payload with the following scope:

– Two docking systems ( aft and forward)

– Power generating capabilities

– EVA port for astronaut activity outside the spacecraft

– Deployable soft goods

The projected dimensions of the payload will be 6.7M (width) by 16.8M (length)

weighing 50,000 pounds with the ability to host 6 occupants. ULA will be

responsible for manufacturing the rocket in which B330 will be deployed on, the

services of successfully getting B330 to orbit, and ensuring the crew makes it to the

final destination safely. The project has been kicked off and the scheduled

completion date is projected to be in 2022, (Staff Writers, 2017).Because both

companies are privately held, no cost/ budget for this project was released. This

initiative will allow humans to explore space like never before, discovering the

benefits of human spaceflight, space resources, and space-based power

(Utrilla,2017).

Mission, Vision, and Values: ULA v. B330

Assignment 1 D. Bowie

4

United Launch Alliance’s mission statement states, ” Save lives. Explore the universe.

Connect the world” (ULA, 2018). Whether it’s a GPS satellite providing direction to

our armed forces actively protecting us, or a weather satellite informing

meteorologists of the next natural disaster — the world benefits from ULA’s

products and services. As a former ULA employee, I can attest to the company’s

dedication to innovation and this mission. They are visionary, aiming to “harness

the potential of space for humanity “(ULA, 2018). Although often in the shadows of

their competitor, SpaceX, ULA has numerous projects in progress that are

revolutionizing the industry. ULA Cislunar 1000, is a separate initiative to support

1000 people living and working in space is among one of the examples (Utrilla,

2017). They are also in the critical design phase for their Vulcan rocket, part of their

“ Next Generation Launch System” that will be used to launch the B330 project.

George Sowers, the former Chief Scientist and VP of Advance Programs at ULA, was

deemed the industry expert on the CisLunar economy. He envisioned a propulsion

system based on materials in which can be derived from ice mined at the polar

regions of the Moon for sustainability. Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage (ACES)

and the XEUS lander, are the deliverables of that initiative (Sowers, 2016). As you

can see, ULA has been aligning their projects to support establishing a CisLunar

economy for quite some time now. B330 is one project in a series of projects in the

program designed to develop and sustain life in space. Due to this synergy, this

project is a good project for ULA to take on. In addition, with years of 100% mission

success, ULA provides the reliability a project of this magnitude needs.

Assignment 1 D. Bowie

5

Cislunar Economy’s Impact and Justification

Although the benefits of a CisLunar economy are full of uncertainty, researchers

have reason to believe resources of interest in space are water for propellant and

consumables, metals, and platinum-group metals ( Utrilla,2017). The economy

growth is projected to be mainly through metal mining and on-orbit manufacturing.

Commercial tourism will also arise creating a whole new demand for space travel.

Furthermore, the increased interest in the CisLunar economy will increase demand

for rocket launches. In turn, the increased demand, allows ULA the opportunity to

increase their economies of scale to reduce the launch price. ULA has looked into

ride sharing that allows various stakeholders buy into a single launch, minimizing

the customer’s cost.

Conclusion

The research above concludes that the objective of this project strategically aligns

with United Launch Alliance’s mantra. After carefully evaluating the scope and

deliverables of the project I have concluded it is in ULA’s best interest to pursue this

project. It is crucial, however, to learn from mistakes of the past when it comes to

space travel. In 1986, NASA’s Challenger shuttle exploded within minutes of takeoff

due to a poor seal design, killing all seven crewmembers on board. Later in 2003,

the NASA’s Columbia shuttle exploded, resulting in another seven American

casualties. Both events were design flaws that the programs were aware of well

before each catastrophe (Mahler, 2010). The failure to learn led the teams to

Assignment 1 D. Bowie

6

continue to operate a launch under unresolved engineering issues. It is important

the project managers and program managers at both ULA and Bigelow Aerospace

consider the quadruple constraint that poses this project, and weigh quality above

all else.

References

Mahler, J. (2010). Organizational Learning at NASA: The Challenger and Columbia

Accidents.Georgetown University Press,41(1), 119-121.

doi:10.1177/13505076100410010806

Staff Writers (2017). Bigelow and ULA team up to propose a B330 Habitat in Low Lunar

Orbit. UPI Space Daily

Sowers, G. F. (2016). A cislunar transportation system fueled by lunar resources.Space

Policy,37, 103-109. doi:10.1016/j.spacepol.2016.07.004

Utrilla, C. M. (2017). Establishing a framework for studying the emerging cislunar

economy.Acta Astronautica,141, 209-218. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.10.005

Assignment writing agencies online

Assignment 1: Developing a Cislunar Space Economy

Boston University

MET AD 642 Project Management

D. Bowie

(2018 Summer Term 1)

Assignment 1 D. Bowie

2

Abstract

On October 19th, 2018 , United Launch Alliance referred to as “ULA”, announced

their partnership with Bigelow Aerospace to launch B330, a space habitat that will

reside in the lower orbit. This paper will explain the details of the project and ULA’s

involvement. We will evaluate how the company’s overarching core values align

with the mission of this project, while simultaneously assessing the Cislunar

economy business development opportunity. The results of my research will deem

this project a good fit for the company and my recommendation will be to continue

to pursue it. However, this paper will also point out the shortcomings of human

spaceflight in history, noting key lessons learned the company must be mindful of in

order to be successful in their future endeavor.

Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 B330 Project: Scope, Schedule, and Cost…………….………………………………………………………. 3 Mission, Vision, and Values: ULA v. B330…………………………………………………………………… 3 Cislunar Economy’s Impact and Justification………………………………………………………………. 5 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5 References:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6

Assignment 1 D. Bowie

3

B330 Project: Scope, Schedule, and Cost

As recently announced, ULA has joined forces with Bigelow Aerospace to develop a

commercial cislunar habitat that will operate as a depot in lower lunar orbit. The

project includes developing a payload with the following scope:

– Two docking systems ( aft and forward)

– Power generating capabilities

– EVA port for astronaut activity outside the spacecraft

– Deployable soft goods

The projected dimensions of the payload will be 6.7M (width) by 16.8M (length)

weighing 50,000 pounds with the ability to host 6 occupants. ULA will be

responsible for manufacturing the rocket in which B330 will be deployed on, the

services of successfully getting B330 to orbit, and ensuring the crew makes it to the

final destination safely. The project has been kicked off and the scheduled

completion date is projected to be in 2022, (Staff Writers, 2017).Because both

companies are privately held, no cost/ budget for this project was released. This

initiative will allow humans to explore space like never before, discovering the

benefits of human spaceflight, space resources, and space-based power

(Utrilla,2017).

Mission, Vision, and Values: ULA v. B330

Assignment 1 D. Bowie

4

United Launch Alliance’s mission statement states, ” Save lives. Explore the universe.

Connect the world” (ULA, 2018). Whether it’s a GPS satellite providing direction to

our armed forces actively protecting us, or a weather satellite informing

meteorologists of the next natural disaster — the world benefits from ULA’s

products and services. As a former ULA employee, I can attest to the company’s

dedication to innovation and this mission. They are visionary, aiming to “harness

the potential of space for humanity “(ULA, 2018). Although often in the shadows of

their competitor, SpaceX, ULA has numerous projects in progress that are

revolutionizing the industry. ULA Cislunar 1000, is a separate initiative to support

1000 people living and working in space is among one of the examples (Utrilla,

2017). They are also in the critical design phase for their Vulcan rocket, part of their

“ Next Generation Launch System” that will be used to launch the B330 project.

George Sowers, the former Chief Scientist and VP of Advance Programs at ULA, was

deemed the industry expert on the CisLunar economy. He envisioned a propulsion

system based on materials in which can be derived from ice mined at the polar

regions of the Moon for sustainability. Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage (ACES)

and the XEUS lander, are the deliverables of that initiative (Sowers, 2016). As you

can see, ULA has been aligning their projects to support establishing a CisLunar

economy for quite some time now. B330 is one project in a series of projects in the

program designed to develop and sustain life in space. Due to this synergy, this

project is a good project for ULA to take on. In addition, with years of 100% mission

success, ULA provides the reliability a project of this magnitude needs.

Assignment 1 D. Bowie

5

Cislunar Economy’s Impact and Justification

Although the benefits of a CisLunar economy are full of uncertainty, researchers

have reason to believe resources of interest in space are water for propellant and

consumables, metals, and platinum-group metals ( Utrilla,2017). The economy

growth is projected to be mainly through metal mining and on-orbit manufacturing.

Commercial tourism will also arise creating a whole new demand for space travel.

Furthermore, the increased interest in the CisLunar economy will increase demand

for rocket launches. In turn, the increased demand, allows ULA the opportunity to

increase their economies of scale to reduce the launch price. ULA has looked into

ride sharing that allows various stakeholders buy into a single launch, minimizing

the customer’s cost.

Conclusion

The research above concludes that the objective of this project strategically aligns

with United Launch Alliance’s mantra. After carefully evaluating the scope and

deliverables of the project I have concluded it is in ULA’s best interest to pursue this

project. It is crucial, however, to learn from mistakes of the past when it comes to

space travel. In 1986, NASA’s Challenger shuttle exploded within minutes of takeoff

due to a poor seal design, killing all seven crewmembers on board. Later in 2003,

the NASA’s Columbia shuttle exploded, resulting in another seven American

casualties. Both events were design flaws that the programs were aware of well

before each catastrophe (Mahler, 2010). The failure to learn led the teams to

Assignment 1 D. Bowie

6

continue to operate a launch under unresolved engineering issues. It is important

the project managers and program managers at both ULA and Bigelow Aerospace

consider the quadruple constraint that poses this project, and weigh quality above

all else.

References

Mahler, J. (2010). Organizational Learning at NASA: The Challenger and Columbia

Accidents.Georgetown University Press,41(1), 119-121.

doi:10.1177/13505076100410010806

Staff Writers (2017). Bigelow and ULA team up to propose a B330 Habitat in Low Lunar

Orbit. UPI Space Daily

Sowers, G. F. (2016). A cislunar transportation system fueled by lunar resources.Space

Policy,37, 103-109. doi:10.1016/j.spacepol.2016.07.004

Utrilla, C. M. (2017). Establishing a framework for studying the emerging cislunar

economy.Acta Astronautica,141, 209-218. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.10.005