TUT Department of Architecture Project by Kyle Philip Coulson October 2018
FRONTIER
Universe The Galaxy Albert Einstein Stars Planets Gravity Venus Nebula Black Hole Sun Solar System Orbit Mars Supernovae Asteroids Space Pluto is a planet Earth Meteors Isaac Newton Space craft Satellites The Milky Way Event horizon Neptune Uranus Atmosphere Jupiter Astronomy Afri-nauts
FINAL
SpaceLab
Fig.1_ Private Space
PAGE NUM.
04 06 10 12 24 25 30 42 52 54 56
OUTER SPACE LAWS OF PHYSICS EINSTEIN SPACE EXPLORATION SANSA SOUTH AFRICA SPACE HISTORY PROGRAMME VISUAL DICTIONARY ACCOMADATION LIST LIST OF FIGURES BIBLIOGRAPHY
-TENTS
CON-
THREE:3.1
OUTER SPACE
THREE
According to Parker (2017, p. 12), space is the term used to describe everywhere that is not Earth and its atmosphere. The transition from atmosphere to space is about 100km above the earth’s surface. Outer space is generally divided into three categories. Local space consists of the solar system, which includes the sun, nine planets, moons and asteroid belt. Interstellar space is the Milky Way (our galaxy), and intergalactic space is beyond our galaxy. All of these constitute the universe.
6
Parker (2017, p. 16) explains that there have been many theories concerning the universe, its origin, and its size and shape. Some theories have suggested that the earth is at the centre of the universe, others have claimed that the universe is a ball in the hand of a giant human. There has also been a myth that the universe emerged from a giant egg, laid by a black winged bird. Modern-day theories about the universe include the big bang theory, as well as religious theory that the universe was created by a divine being. The universe has four dimensions. The first three are referred to as normal space, and include up/down, left/right, forward/backward, plus time. This equation equals space-time, is therm most commonly used when referring to the universe. Albert Einstein believed that time is an integral part of space and should therefore be called space-time. This calculation gives three possible shapes for the universe: planar (flat), spherical (round), and hyperbolic (shape of a horse saddle). Using these estimates, the universe would appear to be about 855 billion trillion kilometres wide, although new theories suggest that the universe is immeasurable and stretches into infinity (Parker, 2017, p. 17).
Fig.2_ Blue Nebula
THREE 7
THREE:3.1.1
LAWS OF PHYSICS
THREE
The laws of physics are essential in a scientist’s pursuit to learn more about the universe; the better they understood the behaviour of matter and energy and the relationships between them are, the better the universe can be understood.
8
The first law is that of universal gravitation, as established by Isaac Newton (1687, pp. 19–20). Newton then developed three laws of motion, which are only applicable to objects larger than an atom, but exclude any object that is moving at the speed of light. The laws of motion are:
1. Every object in a state of rest or motion will remain in that same state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.
2. An object’s rate of change is directly proportional to the force applied, the change of momentum takes place in the direction of the force that is applied
3. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction unless it is compelled to change that state by forces imposed thereon
Fig.3_ Law of motion 1
ONE
LAW OF MOTION
Every object remains in a state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line; unless it is compelled to change that state by forces imposed thereon
Fig.4_ Law of motion 2
F=ma
TWO
LAW OF MOTION
An object’s rate of change is directly proportional to the force applied, the change of momentum takes place in the direction of the force that is applied
Fig.5_ Law of motion 3
THREE
LAW OF MOTION
For every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction
THREE:3.1.2
EINSTEIN Albert Einstein developed the theory of relativity by expanding on Newton’s laws of motion to include objects moving at near-light speed. This led to Einstein’s discovery that matter can be transformed into energy, which he proved through the equation, E=mc2.
THREE
General relativity speaks of a mass that distorts space-time. This theory is used by scientists to prove that space has a nonEuclidian geometry, and if a mass (the earth) were to be placed on a flat space-time grid, it would bend the space-time grid.
12
Einstein’s discovery is an important one, because it proves that gravity not only pulls on matter, but also bends space and time itself. In laymen’s terms, this means that light rays from stars are bent with by gravitational pulls as the rays pass matter (planets or stars) in space. This theory has been proven throughout the course of history, but the most notable proof is a photo taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, showing a blue smear. The blue smear appears in the photo because of a blue galaxy that is situated behind the red galaxy, and the blue rays bend around the red galaxy to show that blue smear. This is also called gravitational lensing. It is also gravitational lensing that makes it possible for scientists to see a black hole in outer space; as a black hole passes in front of a light source (stars or galaxy), the light bends and distorts around the black hole, making it visible (Parker, 2017, p. 300).
THREE 13
Fig.6_ Light bending due to gravity
Fig.7_ Gravitational Lensing
THREE:3.2
SPACE EXPLORATION
THREE
This section explores the historical and technical aspects of space exploration, focusing on rocket launches and man’s attempt to discover the final frontier.
14
Fig.8_ First rocket launched
THEN
THREE 15
Fig.9_ Falcon Heavy launch
NOW
THREE
TIMELINE INTERNATIONAL
16
THREE
Fig.10_ Chart of cosmic exploration
17
Fig.11_ Rockets
THREE The South African RSA-3 rocket was based on the technology developed by Israel for the Shavit Rocket
ROCKETS OF THE WORLD
18
THREE 19
THREE
DUMMIES GUIDE TO FALCON 9 ROCKET
20
Fig.12_ Rocket explained
THREE
Fig.13_ Falcon 9 details
21
THREE
Fig.14_ Rocket launch with re-entry explained
22
THREE 23
THREE
Fig.15_ Rocket launch with re-entry time lapse
24
THREE 25
THREE:3.3
THREE
SANSA
26
According to Gottschalk (2010, p. 1), South Africa’s space programme can be divided into three main ages. The first is the age of amateurs, which started in 1947. During this time, a total of approximately 528 rockets were launched. Unfortunately, none of these reached space (100km above the earth’s surface). The amateur group was brought to a halt by the new military ideals of the government. The second age, or military epoch ranged from 1963-1993. This age saw the formalisation of the space programme, with the government investing a great deal in state of the art facilities and cooperation with Israel to develop the RSA-3 rocket. Overberg Test Range is located in Western Cape, and became the main testing, manufacturing and launching facility .
According to Gottschalk (2010, p. 6), the final age is the civilian era. The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) was established in 2010, and unlocked a new era for South Africa’s space ideals. Some of the main objectives of SANSA include establishing, developing and growing the new South African National Space Agency, as well as positioning the country as a leading nation in innovation of space science.
By 1991, with the change in South African regime, the United States no longer tolerated the space launch programme and demanded that all technology, data and rockets be destroyed (Gottschalk, 2010, p. 4). The De Klerk administration also signed a diplomatic letter agreeing not to continue with any development of space launchers until the country joined the Missile Technology Control Regime. The military epoch left a considerate space infrastructure behind.
For the full address by Naledi Pandor, refer to Appendix B.
On 9 December 2010, the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor declared a 20-year launch plan, but there has been no concrete development in this area. This mini-dissertation uses this launch plan as the starting point and problem statement for the project.
For the full article by Keith Gottschalk, refer to Appendix C For the full SANSA pamphlet, refer to Appendix D.
THREE:3.3.1
SOUTH AFRICA SPACE HISTORY
THREE
Timeline from https://www.sansa.org.za/about/
27
THREE 28
THREE 29
THREE 30
THREE 31
THREE:3.4
THREE
PROGRAMME In order to understand the full complexity of the programme, two distinctly different facilities are used to gain a better understanding of space centres/launch complexes. The two facilities greatly vary in their sizing proportions and the types of rockets (launch vehicles) that each facility launches. The design programme also focuses on launching small to medium-sized rockets, with primary focus on launching Nano (small) satellites.
32
Fig.16_ Rocket launch time lapse
THREE 33
SP A CE X
THREE
SpaceX (2018) has a total of 10 facilities dispersed across the United States of America (U.S). The facilities are categorised into four main types, including SpaceX Headquarters, general offices, a launch facility, and a development facility. This investigation focusses on the sequence of SpaceX rockets, the additions made to the infrastructure at Cape Canaveral in Florida, and the newly proposed “Big F*cking Rocket (BFR)” [sic] facility, in the port of Los Angeles.
34
One of the key principles of SpaceX, is reusing the main rocket (first stage) by programming the rocket to come back to earth, reintegrating it, and then relaunching. This not only saves time, but also has a large cost-saving effect—rocket parts are reused, not rebuilt. SpaceX has also developed a drone ship (ocean barge) that forms part of the rocket retrieval sequence, and has also adopted the idea of suborbital intercontinental travel. Founder, Elon Musk believes that it is possible to travel between cities within 30 minutes, by using rockets that launch from ocean platforms. SpaceX (2018) is the first company to have landed the first stage of the rocket, both on land (Falcon 9 flight 20—20 December 2015) and on an ocean platform (Falcon 9 flight 23—8 April 2016). The concept of reusable rocket parts is also explored by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance, Boeing Space, and smaller, privately funded space companies.
SpaceX (2018) uses Cape Canaveral as one of their main launch sites and has invested in mayor upgrades to optimise the site for the company’s future endeavours. Most notable, is the construction of the company’s own integration hangar at the base of the historic pad 39A (launchpad used for Apollo-moon landing missions), which allows for horizontal integration (also a fairly new advancement in rocket technology). The hangar is situated closer to the launch pad. More recently, SpaceX has announced a major expansion to its operations at Cape Canaveral, with a new futuristic launch and landing control centre, a new booster and fairing facility, a new storage facility, and a rocket garden (open-air museum displaying actual rockets) (Dean, 2018). The SpaceX payload user guide (SpaceX, 2015, pp. 41–52) gives detailed descriptions and illustrations of the facilities available, which have assisted in the understanding of how the facility operates. Finally, SpaceX (2018) has also recently received approval from the mayor of Los Angeles to construct their latest BFR production facility in the port of Los Angeles. The city has recognised the potential of the vacant site and made it available to the company, rent-free for almost two decades. This facility will not only increase job opportunities, but also increase property value around the port, and give the city massive bragging rights as the home of the
THREE 35
Fig.17_ SpaceX integration hangar
THREE
first rocket to attempt settling the first colony on Mars. Although there are currently very few development plans of this new facility that is accessible to the public, this new facility sets a strong precedent that a space facility can be situated in an urban setting, and no longer needs to be remotely located.
36
A reusable rocket, with the first stage returning to earth, as well as the concept of launching the rocket from a remote ocean platform, forms part of this project’s design programme. There are air and water restrictions in place for the duration of the actual rocket launch. In most cases, there will be up to five potential dates added to the launch date, in order to accommodate potential technical or weather restrictions or discrepancies, which could delay the launch. Establishing a remote ocean platform as the launch pad allows for the desired safety ranges by simply moving the platform to the desired distance. There is also a secondary ocean platform, to assist in the retrieval of the main engine upon its return to earth.
THREE
Fig.18_ Rocket retrieval
37
THREE
Fig.19_ SpaceX hangar
38
THREE 39
Full page from payload user guide (SpaceX, 2015, pp. 55)
THREE 40
RO C KE T LA B
Rocket Lab is a privately funded space start-up, situated in California. It focusses primarily on launching smallsats (small to Nano satellites) using the company’s innovative small rocket, called Electron. Electron (17m long) is the first fully carbon composite orbital launch vehicle, powered by 3D printed, electric-pump-fed engines. Currently, smallsats are launched on bigger rockets, which have a very high price tag. Peter Beck, CEO of Rocket Lab (Harebottle, 2018), says that focusing on only launching smallsats allows for shorter lead times, cheaper launching plans, and more satellites to be launched more frequently. These provide vital communication, weather and earth observation infrastructure which assist in the growth of research and innovation.
The smallsat market is making space more accessible for all and creates an even broader democratised access to space. The smallsat market has the potential to be the main focus for African countries, as this market allows for the launching of small single-use satellites to assist private companies and countries to collect singular data (like photography of the land, weather data, forest fire detection, or drought detection) much faster.
Fig.20_ Rocket Lab artist impression
Rocket Lab has also developed its own launch complex, Launch Complex 1. Due to the high volume of sea and air traffic in the U.S., the company has decided to move its primary launch complex to New Zealand, with a licence to launch every 72 hours (Harebottle, 2018). Launch Complex 1 (Rocket Lab, 2018, pp. 40–45) is focused on minimalist principles, with a symmetrical layout that only features the necessities. The diagrams provided by the company’s user guide, provide a clear understanding off all the necessary ancillary functions needed for the actual launch of the rocket, including a weather tower, fuelling facility, power station, water deluge system, gas systems, and liquid oxygen facility. The electron rocket developed by the company is roughly the same size as that envisioned in the mini-dissertation’s design programme, and the overall plans are crucial in understanding the size differences between SpaceX (heavy launch vehicles) and Rocket Lab (small launch vehicles). Rocket Lab also only focusses on unmanned missions, which is also the focus of this programme. There are no allowances for Afri-nauts.
THREE 41
Fig.21_ Electron rocket ready to launch
THREE 42
Fig.22_ Electron rocket transporter
THREE 43
Full page from payload user guide (Rocket Lab, 2018, pp. 24)
LIFTOFF
44
THREE:3.5
VISUAL DICTIONARY Due the uniqueness of the terminology used in the programme, this section focusses on creating a visual reference library, describing key words used throughout the dissertation, accompanied by an image and short description of the area/space mentioned.
SPAC ROCK LIFTOFF
THREE
ROCKET
PACE
LAUNCH
SPACEROCKETSPACE
LAUNCH RO SPACE
LAUNCH
ACE Fig.23_ Rocket launched from ocean platform
LAUNCHPAD: An area or platform on
PACE OCKET
LIFTOFF
which a rocket is supported by an additional structure from which the r4ocket is launched; the platform can be on water or land.
E
Fig.24_ Rocket with vehicle erector at launchpad
CONTROL CENTER: the facility used to manage space flights from launch to landing
THREE
Fig.25_ Mission control center
46
CLEAN ROOM: a dust free environment used for manufacturing or assembly of electronic components
Fig.26_ Satelite construction inside clean room
LAUNCH VEHICLE: the rocket used to send the satellites to outer space
THREE
Fig.27_ Falcon Heavy
47
Fig.28_ BFR launch
THREE
DRONE SHIP: an ocean-going vessel used as a landing platform or outfitted with ancillary elements an used as launching platform
48
Fig.29_ Droneship retrieval of first stage
SATELLITE:
THREE
an artificial object placed in an orbital path around a planet to collect information or assist in communication and navigation systems
49
Fig.30_ Dragon satellite orbiting earth
THREE 50
UMBILICAL STRUCTURE: an artificial Fig.31_ Umbilical structure
object placed in an orbital path around a planet to collect information or assist in communication and navigation systems
THREE
Fig.32_ BFR Umbilical structure
51
THREE 52
Fig.33_ SpaceX hangar
INTEGRATION HANGAR:
final assembly and integration of rocket parts before assembled launch vehicle is moved to launch pad
THREE 53
THREE 54
Fig.34_ Rocket booster 1
THREE 55
Fig.35_ Rocket booster 2
THREE:3.6
ACCOMADATION LIST In order for the facility to function to its full potential, it requires an extensive programme. The accommodation list is divided into the following six main categories:
Launch Complex + + +
Mission control centre Launch pad (drone ship – fitted with liquid oxygen tank, nitrogen tank, payload air conditioner, helium tank, high pressure gas, telemetry tower) Communication ship
Research and Development
+ Archives + Library + Space engineering department + Ethics department + Philosophy department + Religious department + Mathematics department + Environmental department + Economics department + Space science department + Student laboratories (for university workshops) + Nano satellite laboratories
THREE
Integration Complex
56
+ Vehicle assembly hangar + Storage for segments of launch vehicle, parts store, tool storage + Clean rooms with control room + Engineering offices + Administration + changing rooms, toilets + Payload assembly and fairing + Payload storage
Administration and Operations
+ New headquarters for the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) + Legal offices + Finance offices + Human resources offices + IT offices + Board and meeting rooms + Range safety offices + Private customer temporary offices + Toilets + Media room + African Union space sector meeting room
Maintenance + + + + +
Cleaning-staff office Changing rooms Store rooms Facility maintenance office Garden-staff office
Public
+ Welcome centre + Exhibition area + Visitor shop + Information station + Restaurants + Coffee shop + Supermarket + Bicycle shop + Cafeteria + Bar + Night club + Fishing store + Water sport store + Aqua activity kiosk + Public restrooms + Outdoor cinema + Outdoor event space
Fig.36_ Time lapse of International Space station passing the moon
THREE 57
THREE 58
Fig.37_ Space shuttle launch
THREE 59
Figure 1- Private space. 2018. https:// unsplash.com/photos/NuOGFo4PudE. [Accessed: 02-08-2018] Figure 2 - Blue Nebula. 2011. https:// favim.com/image/54363/ [Accessed: 0208-2018] Figure 3 - Law of motion 1. 2018. By Author Figure 4 - Law of motion 2. 2018. By Author Figure 5 - Law of motion 3. 2018. By Author Figure 6 - Light bending due to gravity. 2018. By Author
THREE
Figure 7 - Gravitational Lensing. 2011. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Gravitational_lens. [Accessed: 05-072018]
60
Figure 8 - First rocket launched. 1942. http://www.derekscope.co.uk/first-rocketinto-space/.[Accessed: 05-07-2018] Figure 9 - Falcon Heavy launch. 2018. https://www.popsci.com/spacexs-falconheavy-launch-was-joyful-success. [Accessed: 20-09-2018] Figure 10 - Chart of cosmic exploration. no date. https://www.popchartlab.com/ products/the-chart-of-cosmic-exploration. [Accessed: 20-09-2018] Figure 11 - Rockets . 2017. https:// venngage.com/gallery/post/rockets-ofthe-world/. [Accessed: 22-06-2018] Figure 12 - Rocket explained . 2018. https://www.reddit.com/r/xkcd/ comments/2t8ic1/bird_9_upgoer_five_ inspired_comic/. [Accessed: 22-06-2018] Figure 13 - Falcon 9 details. 2018. https://tess.gsfc.nasa.gov/launch.html. [Accessed: 14-06-2018]
Figure 14 - Rocket launch with reentry explained. 2018. https://www. businessinsider.com/spacex-falconheavy-trajectory-2018-2?IR=T. [Accessed: 14-06-2018] Figure 15 - Rocket launch with reentry time lapse. 2018. https:// johnkrausphotos.com/. [Accessed: 01-09-2018] Figure 16 - Rocket launch time lapse. 2018. https://johnkrausphotos.com/. [Accessed: 01-09-2018] Figure 17 - SpaceX integration hangar. 2018. http://www.spaceflightinsider. com/organizations/space-explorationtechnologies/spacex-lc-39a-hangarhosts-four-recovered-falcon-9-boosters/. [Accessed: 05-08-2018] Figure 18 - Rocket retrieval. 2015. https://www.flickr.com/ people/130608600@N05. [Accessed: 05-08-2018] Figure 19 - SpaceX hangar. 2017. http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/ organizations/space-explorationtechnologies/spacex-lc-39a-hangarhosts-four-recovered-falcon-9-boosters/. [Accessed: 25-07-2018] Figure 20 - Rocket Lab artist impression. 2018. https://www.spaceitbridge.com/ rocket-lab-looks-for-u-s-launch-sitecould-fly-out-of-new-u-k-location.htm. [Accessed: 25-07-2018] Figure 21 - Electron rocket ready to launch. 2018. http://www. spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/ rocket-lab/rocket-labs-electron-gettingus-based-launch-site/. [Accessed: 2507-2018] Figure 22 - Electron rocket ready to launch. 2018. https://www.theverge. com/2017/5/14/15637808/rocket-labelectron-first-flight-test-launch-window. [Accessed: 12-05-2018]
Figure 25 - Mission control center. 2018. https://www.space.com/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018] Figure 26 - Satellite construction inside clean room. 2018. http://sci.esa.int/ cluster/20170-all-four-cluster-spacecraftin-the-ppf-clean-room/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018] Figure 27 - Falcon Heavy. 2018. https:// www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/spacexfalcon-heavy-facts/. [Accessed: 29-092018] Figure 28 - BFR launch. 2018. https:// www.spacex.com/. [Accessed: 29-092018] Figure 29 - Droneship retrieval of first stage. 2018. https://www.spacex.com/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018] Figure 30 - Dragon satellite orbiting earth. 2018. https://www.spacex.com/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018] Figure 31 - Umbilical structure. 2018. https://johnkrausphotos.com/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018] Figure 32 - BFR Umbilical structure. 2018. https://www.gravitationinnovation. com/wallpaper. [Accessed: 29-09-2018] Figure 33 - BFR Umbilical structure. 2018. https://johnkrausphotos.com/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018] Figure 34 - Rocket booster 1. 2018. https://johnkrausphotos.com/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018]
Figure 36 - Time lapse of International Space station passing the moon. 2018. https://johnkrausphotos.com/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018] Figure 37 - Time lapse of International Space station passing the moon. 2018. https://www.reddit.com/r/tiltshift/ comments/3ae500/request_this_ photo_of_a_space_shuttle_launch/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018]
THREE
Figure 24 - Rocket lwith vehicle erector at launch pad. 2018. https://www.space. com/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018]
Figure 35 - Rocket booster 2. 2018. https://johnkrausphotos.com/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018]
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 23 - Rocket launched from ocean platform. 2011. https:// exploringbeyondfinalfrontiers.wordpress. com/2011/09/25/sea-launch-comesback-to-life-with-successfull-launch-ofatlantic-bird-7/. [Accessed: 29-09-2018]
61
BIB LI O GR A PH Y
Dean, J. (2018) SpaceX plans major expansion at KSC with futuristic launch control center, Florida Today. Available at: https://www. floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2018/06/08/spacex-plansmajor-expansion-kennedy-space-center/685098002/ (Accessed: 27 August 2018).
THREE
Gottschalk, K. (2010) ‘South Africa ’ s space programme - Past , present , future’, 8, pp. 35–48. doi: 10.1080/14777622.2010.496528.
62
Harebottle, A. (2018) Rocket Lab CEO on the Smallsat Race to Space, Satellite Today. Available at: 27 August 2018. Newton, I. (1687) The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy: Volume 1. Edited by A. Motte. London. Parker, S. (2017) Encyclopedia of Space. First. Edited by R. Neave. Harding’s Barn: Miles Kelly Publishing. Rocket Lab (2018) Payload User’s Guide - Version 6.2. Huntington Beach. Available at: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/. SpaceX (2018) SpaceX. Available at: https://www.spacex.com/ (Accessed: 27 August 2018). SpaceX (2015) Falcon User Guide - Revision 2. Hawtrone. Available at: https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/falcon_9_users_guide_ rev_2.0.pdf.