NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Designing for Annual Spacelift PerformanceThis paper presents a methodology for approaching space launch system design from a total architectural point of view. This different approach to conceptual design is contrasted with traditional approaches that focus on a single set of metrics for flight system performance, i.e., payload lift per flight, vehicle mass, specific impulse, etc. The approach presented works with a larger set of metrics, including annual system lift, or "spacelift" performance. Spacelift performance is more inclusive of the flight production capability of the total architecture, i.e., the flight and ground systems working together as a whole to produce flights on a repeated basis. In the proposed methodology, spacelift performance becomes an important design-for-support parameter for flight system concepts and truly advanced spaceport architectures of the future. The paper covers examples of existing system spacelift performance as benchmarks, points out specific attributes of space transportation systems that must be greatly improved over these existing designs, and outlines current activity in this area.
Document ID
20170010223
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
McCleskey, Carey M.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL, United States)
Zapata, Edgar
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL, United States)
Date Acquired
October 19, 2017
Publication Date
October 16, 2017
Subject Category
Systems Analysis And Operations Research
Launch Vehicles And Launch Operations
Report/Patent Number
KSC-E-DAA-TN47379
IAF-98-U.2.05
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Astronautical Congress
Location: Sydney
Country: Australia
Start Date: September 28, 1998
End Date: October 2, 1998
Sponsors: International Astronautical Federation
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 089407.01.76
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
spaceports
spacelif
No Preview Available