Reusable Booster System

On June 15, 2011, the Air Force Space Command established a new vision, mission, and set of goals to ensure continued U.S. dominance in space and cyberspace mission areas. Subsequently, and in coordination with the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Space and Missile Systems Center, and the 14th and 24th Air Forces, the Air Force Space Command identified four long-term science and technology (S&T) challenges critical to meeting these goals. One of these challenges is to provide full-spectrum launch capability at dramatically lower cost, and a reusable booster system (RBS) has been proposed as an approach to meet this challenge. The Air Force Space Command asked the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the National Research Council to conduct an independent review and assessment of the RBS concept prior to considering a continuation of RBS-related activities within the Air Force Research Laboratory portfolio and before initiating a more extensive RBS development program. The committee for the Reusable Booster System: Review and Assessment was formed in response to that request and charged with reviewing and assessing the criteria and assumptions used in the current RBS plans, the cost model methodologies used to fame [frame?] the RBS business case, and the technical maturity and development plans of key elements critical to RBS implementation. The committee consisted of experts not connected with current RBS activities who have significant expertise in launch vehicle design and operation, research and technology development and implementation, space system operations, and cost analysis. The committee solicited and received input on the Air Force launch requirements, the baseline RBS concept, cost models and assessment, and technology readiness. The committee also received input from industry associated with RBS concept, industry independent of the RBS concept, and propulsion system providers which is summarized in Reusable Booster System: Review and Assessment.

What Is Reusable Launch System When transporting payloads from Earth's surface into outer space, a reusable launch vehicle has pieces that may be retrieved and used again in subsequent launches. The stages of the rocket are the most frequent component of the launch vehicle that is intended for reuse. There is also the possibility of reusing smaller components, like as rocket engines and boosters, however it is possible for reusable spacecraft to be launched atop an expendable launch vehicle. The production of these components is not required for reusable launch vehicles, which results in a considerable reduction in the overall cost of the launch. The expense of recovery and restoration, on the other hand, will reduce the value of these advantages. How You Will Benefit (I) Insights, and validations about the following topics: Chapter 1: Reusable launch system Chapter 2: Space Shuttle Chapter 3: Single-stage-to-orbit Chapter 4: Spacecraft Chapter 5: Space Shuttle program Chapter 6: Human spaceflight programs Chapter 7: Booster (rocketry) Chapter 8: Spaceplane Chapter 9: Space vehicle Chapter 10: Boeing X-37 Chapter 11: Dream Chaser Chapter 12: Launch vehicle Chapter 13: List of crewed spacecraft Chapter 14: Falcon 9 Chapter 15: Buran (spacecraft) Chapter 16: VTVL Chapter 17: Falcon Heavy Chapter 18: Takeoff and landing Chapter 19: SpaceX reusable launch system development program Chapter 20: XS-1 (spacecraft) Chapter 21: Super heavy-lift launch vehicle (II) Answering the public top questions about reusable launch system. (III) Real world examples for the usage of reusable launch system in many fields. (IV) 17 appendices to explain, briefly, 266 emerging technologies in each industry to have 360-degree full understanding of reusable launch system' technologies. Who This Book Is For Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of reusable launch system.

The key to opening the use of space to private enterprise and to broader public uses lies in reducing the cost of the transportation to space. More routine, affordable access to space will entail aircraft-like quick turnaround and reliable operations. Currently, the space Shuttle is the only reusable launch vehicle, and even parts of it are expendable while other parts require frequent and extensive refurbishment. NASA's highest priority new activity, the Reusable Launch Vehicle program, is directed toward developing technologies to enable a new generation of space launchers, perhaps but not necessarily with single stage to orbit capability. This book assesses whether the technology development, test and analysis programs in propulsion and materials-related technologies are properly constituted to provide the information required to support a December 1996 decision to build the X-33, a technology demonstrator vehicle; and suggest, as appropriate, necessary changes in these programs to ensure that they will support vehicle feasibility goals.

The authors, leading representatives of Russian space research and industry, show the results and future prospects of astronautics at the start of the third millennium. The focus is on the development of astronautics in Russia in the new historical and economic conditions. The text spotlights the basic trends in space related issues before moving on to describe the possibilities of the wide use of space technologies and its numerous applications such as navigation and communication, space manufacturing, and space biotechnology. The book contains a large amount of facts described in a way understandable without specialist knowledge. The text is accompanied by many photographs, charts and diagrams, mostly in color.