Access to Space—Systems and Technologies to Support It

Abstract

Many of the launch systems that are used by the United States to send payloads to orbit trace their heritage to military systems of the 1950s and 1960s. Even with launch systems built on more recent technology, the cost of placing a payload in orbit is thousands of dollars per pound. To develop new customers with heretofore only dreamed-of missions—tourism in space, power from the moon, etc.—the cost of placing a payload in orbit must be reduced by an order of magnitude or more. Since the propulsion system is the cornerstone of a space transportation system, it has a major impact on the acquisition and operations costs. Improvements in materials and in manufacturing technology are needed to develop lightweight, high-strength materials for efficient and economic structures, thermal protection systems, tanks, etc. Operational considerations, such as fewer vehicle elements to check out and to integrate, have a significant impact on lowering launch costs and should be given strong consideration in the choice of materials and propulsion systems. Achievement of a substantially more maintainable and capable launch system is feasible. Benefits will be well worth the cost and risk.