NASA has provided an advance release of its NASA Autonomous Flight Termination Unit (NAFTU) software code to the launch industry. Once it passes final certification in early 2022 NAFTU will be a common command and control system that will ensure public safety on future launches.

The launch industry entered a renaissance in the last few years and autonomous flight termination systems will be a critical safety component. The system provides a number of benefits, such as wider launch windows, smaller downrange safety corridors that enhance area clearance operations, and reduced need/expense of ground-based systems.

Work on the system began in 2020. A spokesperson for NASA stated, “The NAFTU system is more complicated than other, proprietary automated flight safety systems (AFSS) in that it’s designed to be customizable and support a wide array of launch vehicles at any launch range.”

Ted Mercer the CEO of Virginia Space, which is responsible for developing commercial spaceflight in Virginia, added, “While more challenging, the effort overall will provide the single largest impact and the greatest economic benefit by allowing commercial launch providers a common, certified system for flight termination.”

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