NASA Launch Services Program Small Satellite Processing Capabilities at Kennedy Space Center and Vandenberg Air Force Base

The NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) Launch Site Integration Branch (LSIB) conducted a study to identify options for accommodating launch site support requirements for the next generation of NASA small satellites and secondary payloads launched from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB). The anticipated needs range from cleanroom facilities, to long-term secure hardware storage, to propellant loading/unloading, to stacking and fairing encapsulation. Existing commercial and government payload processing facilities (PPF) are highly capable and commonly used to support satellite processing, while alternate options may be better tailored for the needs and budgets of small satellites. These include peripheral facilities such as PPF airlocks or partitioned spaces, existing facilities which can be refurbished or upgraded, and portable facilities such as cleanroom trailers. The LSP LSIB continues to evaluate its capability to meet the needs of small satellites and secondary payloads. The author requests input from the small satellite community, to help identify any emerging launch site requirements for future NASA small satellite and secondary payload missions.