From earth to orbit : an assessment of transportation options / Committee on Earth-to-Orbit Tranportation Options, Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Earth-to-Orbit Transportation Options.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Launch vehicles (Astronautics).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (101 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1992.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

If the United States hopes to continue as a leader in space, it must invest now in better earth-to-orbit technology by replacing obsolete launch facilities while also developing a new class of more robust and reliable vehicles. From Earth to Orbit provides strategies to reduce launch costs while increasing the reliability and resilency of vehicles. It also recommends continued improvements for the Space Shuttle Orbiter and its subsystems and the development of a Space Transportation Main Engine (STME).

Contents:

From Earth to Orbit

Copyright

Preface

Contents

Summary of Key Findings and Recommendations

LAUNCH VEHICLES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

PROPULSION

TECHNOLOGY

Terms, Acronyms, and Abbreviations

1 Introduction

THE TASK

APPROACH

ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

NATIONAL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

2 A Path to a Desirable National Space Launch System

SUPPORT FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ATTRIBUTES

LAUNCH VEHICLE AND PAYLOAD ATTRIBUTES

ENGINE ATTRIBUTES

3 Projected Launch Requirements

NEAR-TERM REQUIREMENTS

INTERMEDIATE-TERM REQUIREMENTS

LONG-TERM REQUIREMENTS

4 Launch Vehicle Options

CURRENT U.S. EXPENDABLE LAUNCH SYSTEMS

PROPOSED U.S. LAUNCH SYSTEMS

National Launch System (NLS)

Taurus

Medium Launch Vehicle III (MLV III)

CURRENT U.S. MANNED SYSTEMS

The Space Shuttle

PROPOSED U.S. MANNED SYSTEMS

The Single-Stage Rocket Technology Program Delta Clipper (DC-Y)

National Aero-Space Plane

Assured Crew Return Capability

EXISTING INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH SYSTEMS

Energia

Zenit

Ariane

PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH SYSTEMS

Ariane-5/Hermes

Hotol

Sanger

5 Propulsion Capabilities for Earth-to-Orbit Vehicles

HISTORY OF LIQUID AND SOLID PROPULSION

FLIGHT-PROVEN U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL ENGINES AND MOTORS

Flight-Proven U.S. Engines and Motors

F-1 and J-2 Engines

MA-5 and RS-27 Engines

LR-87 and LR-91 Engines

RL10 Engine

Space Shuttle Main Engine

Ballistic Missile Solid Motors

Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM)

Flight-Proven International Engines and Motors

RD-170 Engine

RD-253 Engine

Viking and Other Engines

PROPOSED U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL ENGINES AND MOTORS

Proposed U.S. Engines and Motors

Space Transportation Main Engine (STME)

Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM)

Solid Rocket Motor Upgrade (SRMU).

Proposed International Engines and Motors

ENGINE AND MOTOR TESTING

System Reliability and Tests

Propulsion Test Facilities

Government-Owned Test Facilities

Industrial Test Facilities

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL PROPULSION

PRIORITIES FOR INVESTMENT

Space Transportation Main Engine

Space Shuttle Propulsion Systems

PRIORITIES FOR LONGER-TERM PAYOFF

Engines

Booster Stages

6 Technology Development

PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES

Hybrids

Modular Plug Engine

Modular Bell Engine

Virtual Staging Engine Concepts

Nuclear Propulsion and Power

COMPONENT AND GENERAL TECHNOLOGIES

Materials Technologies

Health Monitoring of Rocket Systems

Connectors and Interfaces for Fuel and Electrical Systems

Guidance, Navigation, Control, and Autodocking

Launch Operation Technology Needs

Manufacturing Technologies

CONCLUSION

Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

Appendix A AN APPROACH TO SPACE INFRASTRUCTURE

DEFICIENCIES OF CURRENT SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Lack of Flexibility of the Launch System

Lack of Resilience of the Launch System

Scheduling Difficulties in the Launch System

Shortage of Land for Construction of Launch Facilities

DESCRIPTION OF RECOMMENDED INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

General

Launch Complex Philosophy

Launch Complex Elements

Conceptual Launch Complex

Appendix B LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Appendix C BIBLIOGRAPHY.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 88-91).

ISBN:

9786610203024

9781280203022

1280203021

9780309572637

0309572630

9780585155272

0585155275

OCLC:

43477297