Modeling Space Launch Process Delays to Improve Space Vehicle Acquisition Timelines
Abstract
United States Department of Defense (DoD) space acquisition programs often experience significant schedule growth. Even with the advent of reliable launch vehicles, schedule delays often exceed 3 years and have the implication of reduced military or national security capabilities, significant increases in costs and occasionally program cancellations. This paper gives acquisition professionals insight into the DoD's space launch process through modeling and simulation. It discusses reasons a model is needed, outlining the perceived causes and resulting impacts of significant schedule growth between planned and actual launch dates. This paper scopes the problem into a practical area of research, specifically from Milestone C through launch. Significant drivers to space vehicle timelines are the processes associated with scheduling launch support and conducting integration efforts for launch processing. Seven causal factors are identified, analyzed and assessed to draw conclusions about schedule growth and timeline considerations. The authors discuss the implications of these factors and hypothesize about lower-level contributors to create recommendations for those involved with space acquisitions. Recommendations are provided focusing future research towards the identification of specific actions which may reduce schedule delay incurred within the space launch process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA586477
Entities
People
- Brian K. Yoshimoto
- Christopher M. Auger
- Lars Baldus
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology