Access to Space—Systems and Technologies to Support It
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 10, Issue 2
Abstract
Many of the launch systems that are used by the United States to send payloads to orbit trace their heritage to military systems of the 1950s and 1960s. Even with launch systems built on more recent technology, the cost of placing a payload in orbit is thousands of dollars per pound. To develop new customers with heretofore only dreamed-of missions—tourism in space, power from the moon, etc.—the cost of placing a payload in orbit must be reduced by an order of magnitude or more. Since the propulsion system is the cornerstone of a space transportation system, it has a major impact on the acquisition and operations costs. Improvements in materials and in manufacturing technology are needed to develop lightweight, high-strength materials for efficient and economic structures, thermal protection systems, tanks, etc. Operational considerations, such as fewer vehicle elements to check out and to integrate, have a significant impact on lowering launch costs and should be given strong consideration in the choice of materials and propulsion systems. Achievement of a substantially more maintainable and capable launch system is feasible. Benefits will be well worth the cost and risk.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 10 • Issue 2 • April 1997
Pages: 53 - 59
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Apr 1, 1997
Published in print: Apr 1997
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