Public Law 106-377 is the enactment of the FY01
VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Bill.
It mandates that NASA pursue commercially owned and
operated vehicles for the purpose of Alternative Access,
and, mandates that NASA consider launch sites other
than Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center for Alternative
Access to ISS.
The President's FY02 Budget requests implementation
of certain reforms meant to ensure that goals are
achieved. Among those reforms are (1) implementation
of a risk reduction strategy that ensures viable competition
by mid-decade for ISS cargo and crew launch services,
and (2) achieving affordable, near-term success in
Alternative Access to ISS.
Senate Report 107-43 "Directs NASA to designate
Wallops as a potential launch and recovery site for
flight demonstrations, testing and validation of space
transportation technologies and the upcoming solicitation
for Alternative Access to Space (AAS)." Thanks
to the leadership of Senator Mikulski Public Law
107-73 directs NASA to provide an additional $10,000,000
for infrastructure improvement and technology upgrades
to ensure that Wallops remains a viable asset. Further
NASA is directed report to the Committees on Appropriations
of the House and Senate no later than March 1, 2002
on a strategic plan for Wallops future including
NASA missions and other business opportunities.
"We can not let Wallops erode." Senator Barbara
A. Mikulski
"NASA desires safe and affordable access to low
earth orbit and the International Space Station."
"NASA goal are to foster and enhance U.S. Commercial
opportunities in space [and] ensure that emerging
launch companies (ELC's) have the opportunity to
become competitive launch service providers."
NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Alternative
Access Request for Information, RFI-10-17-2000
Launch Trajectory from Wallops Island to ISS
WFF is ideal for providing equatorial access for low earth orbit insertion. The ground based range is only limited by land masses. WFF supports missions that exceed the capability and safety margins of other ranges and is a highly attractive location for meeting unique launch requirements. WFF offers a wide array of launch vehicle trajectory options. The coastline of Wallops Island is oriented such that a launch azimuth of 135° is perpendicular to the shoreline. In general, launch azimuths between 90° and 160° can be accommodated depending on impact ranges. For most orbital vehicles, this translates into orbital inclinations between 38° and approximately 60°. Trajectory options outside of these launch azimuths, including polar and sun-synchronous orbits, can be achieved by in-flight azimuth maneuvers. |
