Future space transportation options - OverviewA comprehensive consideration of space transportation system design possibilities and capabilities has noted that the U.S. (NASA and Department of Defense) launch vehicle users may enter the post-1995 period with a high operating cost space transportation architecture, primarily consisting of a small Space Shuttle fleet and its Complementary Expendable Launch Vehicle for unmanned operations. On the other hand, many technologies critical to the future of space transportation could yield substantial benefits in the post-1995 period. Current funding levels are expected to inhibit the timely development of many such technologies, however, and many current development programs have narrow and short term objectives that will not yield a cohesive data base for further development.
Document ID
19860055878
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Holloway, P. F. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Zersen, W. F. H. (USAF, Space Div., Los Angeles CA, United States)