Design Considerations for Orbital Transport Systems Advanced Systems Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Fellenz, Dietrich W., author.

Conference Name:

Space Technology Conference (1967-05-09 : Palo Alto, California, United States)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 1967

Summary:

Applications of Earth orbital platforms like communication satellites have already achieved a commercial value in their own right. Other Earth centered operations like weather satellites offer the possibility of a commercial status since they affect our daily lives by supplying information on the state of nature around us.We, therefore, feel justified in assuming that a solid basis for expansion of Earth-orbital operations exists. Present projections of manned and unmanned orbital launch requirements indicate that more economic means of space transportation will be needed.Starting from our present day hardware, the key question is, should we simplify or sophisticate our vehicle concepts? The paper addresses the two following problem areas:Various development approaches and their systems sensitivities were put into context with a mission model and evaluated for utility, cost and development risk.The first new development seen is that of a reusable passenger vehicle designed for orbital use to replace the Apollo command and service modules. Next, or concurrent, are improvements in economy and operations of the launch vehicle. Partially reusable transportation systems appear most promising on the basis of the mission model used. Relatively small additional savings, associated with high uncertainties, may be expected from a fully reusable system. A choice will have to be made on the basis of economical growth potential and operational considerations.In the case of funding-intensive developments, such as reusable launch vehicle stages, an evolutionary development provides a capability extension at a reduced annual funding rate resulting in only a Slight penalty in total program cost

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

670383

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license