Rockets reusable launch vehicles

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... 

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... 

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