TL Framelight Policy Change 8 Jan

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE

SPACE LAUNCH DELTA 30

SLD30GM1

8 January 2024

MEMORANDUM FOR SLD 30

FROM: SLD 30/CV

SUBJECT: Vandenberg Space Force Base Framelight Policy
1. Effective immediately, this guidance memorandum supercedes SLD30I10-1203. 2. “Framelight” is a term used to define a time-period which begins 48 hours prior to launch (L48 hours). Framelight ends when released by the Launch Decision Authority (LDA) or equivalent, or by the Interim Safety Board President in the event of an anomaly. Framelight maintains configuration control of launch-associated communications and Range infrastructure to minimize risk of disruption. Framelight is essentially a stop-work order for all work that is non-critical to the launch which might have an impact on the Range mission network or on instrumentation required for the launch. If work must be performed to support the launch, then Framelight does not apply to that work. If work is non-critical to the launch, then a Framelight waiver can be requested.
3. Framelight does not apply to commercial payload missions that fly with an Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) in which minimal range support is required. Minimal range support is defined as no Command Destruct supersystem, no Telemetry supersystem, and no Radar supersystem support from the Range or as otherwise defined by 2 ROPS. This memo does not allow entities to perform work without standard permissions under Framelight conditions. In these cases, work on the Range will follow nominal maintenance coordination processes for risk to launch operations. All mission requirements in Universal Documentation System are still expected to be met.
4. When a waiver (2 ROPS Form 1) is requested it should be submitted two weeks prior to the start of Framelight. This allows subject matter experts time to review the requested work and perform a risk assessment. If the work requested involves excavation near communications lines or power outages, then a 2 ROPS Form 1 should be submitted to 30th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), specifically the CE Mission Engineering section. If the work requested involves communication infrastructure, then a 2 ROPS Form 1 should be submittted to Space Communications Squadron (SCS). If the work requested doesn’t fall strictly under CES or SCS, then a 2 ROPS Form 1 should be submitted to 2 ROPS/DOR Range Engineer (RE) flight. Depending on the risk of the requested work the 2 ROPS Form 1 will either be approved by the