PLS operates the most diverse space flight propellants inventory and in the United States using over 100 pieces of propellants mobile equipment, two dozen facilities, and over 50 miles of high pressure pipelines. The KSC/CCAFS propellants operations contractor provides the hands-on day-to-day distribution of both NASA supply contracts delivered to KSC and the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) Defense Fuels Support Point (DFSP) commodities at KSC/CCAFS.
This tutorial is directed to all KSC/CCAFS customer activities that require propellant support at KSC/CCAFS or at local commercial processing facilities (e.g. Astrotech).
Program Requirement Document (PRD):
Program requirements are outlined in whatever detail is necessary
to ensure KSC/CCAFS support to meet those requirements. Propellant requirements
are defined in sections 5310 (how much of what, when, where, and container type)
and 5410 (chemical purity and filtration requirements). Specify propellant type
and quantity to meet your requirements in one nominal loading operation to
include on-board quantity, transfer system residuals, and sample volume. The PRD
should be completed several months before the first support is anticipated.
Propellant Forecast - NASA Programs:
NASA customers should submit their forecasts as described in
Propellant Forecasting for NASA Programs
each March.
Propellant Forecast - DOD & Commercial Programs:
DOD and Commercial customers use DLA form 858 and submit them
through their internal processes and are ultimately used by
Defense Logistics Agency at:
DLA, Bldg 1621-K, 2261 Hughes Ave, Ste 123,
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-9823
Defense Fuels Supply Point and Other Propellants:
The following propellants are routinely available from KSC/CCAFS
storage and must be forecasted as described above. The latest
version of the listed specification is used as noted on the specific
commodity page along with delivery container types.
Aerozine-50 |
MIL-PRF-27402 (DLA Supplied) |
Air, Breathing |
Liquid and gas, SE-S-0073, Table 6.3-29 (NASA Supplied) |
Helium |
Liquid and gas, MIL-PRF-27407, Grade A (NASA Supplied) |
Hydrogen |
Liquid and gas,MIL-PRF-27201 (NASA Supplied) |
Hydrazine |
MIL-PRF-26536, Monopropellant and High Purity grades (DLA Supplied) |
Kerosene |
RP-1, MIL-PRF-25576 (DLA Supplied) |
MonoMethyl Hydrazine |
MIL-PRF-27404 (DLA Supplied) |
Nitrogen |
Liquid and gas, MIL-PRF-27401, Grade A, B, or C |
Nitrogen Tetroxide, all grades |
MIL-PRF-26539 (DLA Supplied) |
Oxygen |
Liquid and gas, MIL-PRF-25508, Grade A and Grade F |
The base propellants operations contractor also stocks various scrubber solutions, solvents, and other specialty fluids. If what you need is not listed, contact our office to determine if we can support your requirements.
Hypergolic Propellant Courtesy Container Storage:
If your program is using your own customer-owned containers, then
you must follow the requirements of our
Courtesy Storage Rules
and
submit a
Courtesy Storage Request
form.
Establish Financial Account:
All customers must establish cost accounts with either NASA or DLA
prior to receiving propellant support at KSC or CCAFS. DLA
authorizes distribution of DFSP propellants (primarily hydrazine
family fuels, N2O
4 , and RP-1), therefore
customers must obtain an Account Activity Code (DODAAC, FEDACC, etc.)
from
DLA. NASA Programs at KSC/CCAFS can use the KSC FEDAAC if
coordinated the Program and PLA's business offices. NASA Programs
utilizing NASA delivery contracts must establish cost accounts through
your program’s usiness office
and KSC Office of Chief Financial Officer.
Propellant Delivery to your Doorstep:
After defining your requirements in a PRD and establishing a funding mechanism,
place a real-time delivery request to the KSC Propellants Contractor (mailto:KSC-DL-KPLSS-Work-Management).
Provide them the When, What, Where, Who,
and Task Order Number information for delivery and support. For NASA spacecraft
programs, your Launch Site Support Manager can place the support request for you.