Reusable launch vehicle

Space Shuttle 1-2 solid boosters 2,040 tons orbiter 94,000 1.45% reusable launch vehicle (RLV). 

One of the seemingly obvious ways to cut down the cost is a reusable launch vehicle, such as the Space Shuttle. NA.SA hoped that the enormous cost of the Space Shuttle development would have been compensated by the expected tenfold reduction in the price of putting a payload in orbit. Unfortunately, that goal was not achieved. Despite the Shuttle s unique capabilities, the cost of its payload deliveiy... 

Kang et al. [28] report a space-qualified FBG system that uses FBG sensors to monitor the strains in a filament-wound CFRP tank during pressure testing. Mizutani et al. [27] describes a space-qualified on-board FBG system used to monitor the strain on a CFRP composite LH2 tank installed on a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) test article. The FBG sensors were installed on the CFRP composite tank with UV-cured polyurethane adhesive that showed good performance at cryogenic temperatures. The system (which weighs less than 2 kg) was installed, flown, and tested on the RLV typical recorded data are shown in Figure 16.15. 

The most advanced among today s projects is the future American reusable launch system known as Venture Star. It utilizes two new concepts that are expected to boost efficiency and cut down the cost of a payload. The first is the single stage-to-orbit concept—the launch vehicle carries the entire propellant load and does not have any expendable parts. The latter is planned to be achieved by a revolutionary rocket engine design called Aerospike. The bell-shaped noz-... 

Integrated high performance turbine engine technology Integrated high payoff rocket propulsion technology NASA reusable and expendable launch vehicles In-space propulsion... 

There are very fuzzy boundaries between NASA s activities and those of the DOD. Some of NASA s most senior leaders are of DOD descent, boundaries between the two organizations are not always clear, and the mission objectives of DOD occasionally influence mission objectives within NASA. For instance, according to the 1994 US Space Transportation Policy, DOD is responsible for expendable launch vehicles and NASA for reusable ones. However, before 1994, DOD was working on a reusable vehicle, and the next space policy statement may shift the boundary again. The 1997... 

A major problem for the SPS is the current cost of space launches. Current rates on the Space Shuttle are 3,000 to 5,000 per pound ( 6,600/ kg and 11,000/kg). Launch costs of less than 400-500/kg are thought to be necessary for SPS. Economies of scale on expendable vehicles could provide some large reductions in launch costs. Thousands of rocket launches could reduce the costs by ten to twenty times based on experience with similar technical achievements. This places the costs into the range where this system could be conceivably attempted. Large reusable vehicles could... 

ATV is a vehicle (unmarmed, not reusable) used to provide services to the International Space Station (ISS) and its crew for example, ATVs can transport equipment, provide a visitable, even habitable area once docked, contribute to control maneuvers of the ISS orbit, evacuate and destruct used equipment, etc. Five ATV models are anticipated, with launches every 18 months, with options for two additional models and project developments. The first model, called ATV-1 Jules Veme, has successfiilly completed the inaugural mission of March 8 to September 29,2008. 

---