Download or read book Reusable Booster System written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2013-01-10 with total page 115 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On June 15, 2011, the Air Force Space Command established a new vision, mission, and set of goals to ensure continued U.S. dominance in space and cyberspace mission areas. Subsequently, and in coordination with the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Space and Missile Systems Center, and the 14th and 24th Air Forces, the Air Force Space Command identified four long-term science and technology (S&T) challenges critical to meeting these goals. One of these challenges is to provide full-spectrum launch capability at dramatically lower cost, and a reusable booster system (RBS) has been proposed as an approach to meet this challenge. The Air Force Space Command asked the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the National Research Council to conduct an independent review and assessment of the RBS concept prior to considering a continuation of RBS-related activities within the Air Force Research Laboratory portfolio and before initiating a more extensive RBS development program. The committee for the Reusable Booster System: Review and Assessment was formed in response to that request and charged with reviewing and assessing the criteria and assumptions used in the current RBS plans, the cost model methodologies used to fame [frame?] the RBS business case, and the technical maturity and development plans of key elements critical to RBS implementation. The committee consisted of experts not connected with current RBS activities who have significant expertise in launch vehicle design and operation, research and technology development and implementation, space system operations, and cost analysis. The committee solicited and received input on the Air Force launch requirements, the baseline RBS concept, cost models and assessment, and technology readiness. The committee also received input from industry associated with RBS concept, industry independent of the RBS concept, and propulsion system providers which is summarized in Reusable Booster System: Review and Assessment.
Download or read book Reusable Launch Vehicles and Space Operations written by John E. Ward and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Concepts of Operations for a Reusable Launch Vehicle written by Michael A. Rampino and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The United States is embarked on a journey toward maturity as a spacefaring nation. One key step along the way is development of a reusable launch vehicle (RLV). The most recent National Space Transportation Policy (August 1994) assigned improvement and evolution of current expendable launch vehicles to the Department of Defense while National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA) is responsible for working with industry on demonstrating RLV technology. The purpose of this study is to help ensure the US military, especially the USAF, is prepared to take advantage of RLVs should the NASA-led effort to develop an RLV demonstrator prove successful. The focus of this study is an explanation of how the US military could use RLVs, by describing and analyzing two concepts of operations. Four major conclusions resulted from the analysis. First, RLVs have military potential. They can perform a variety of missions including responsive spacelift, reconnaissance, and strike. However, the economic feasibility of using RLVs for earth-to-earth transportation is questionable. Second, design choices for an operational RLV will have effects on risk, cost, capability, and operations efficiency. Trade-offs will have to be made between NASA, commercial, and military requirements if all three parties are to use the same fleet of RLVs. Third, increased investment in propulsion technology development is warranted to ensure success. Fourth, the top priority for the RLV program, even from the military's perspective, should remain cheap and responsive access to space. The research led to three recommendations. First, the US military should become a more active participant in the RLV program to ensure its requirements are defined and incorporated. Second, America should not pursue development of operational RLVs before the technology is ready.
Download or read book Reusable Launch Vehicle written by Committee on Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology and Test Program and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1996-01-22 with total page 99 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The key to opening the use of space to private enterprise and to broader public uses lies in reducing the cost of the transportation to space. More routine, affordable access to space will entail aircraft-like quick turnaround and reliable operations. Currently, the space Shuttle is the only reusable launch vehicle, and even parts of it are expendable while other parts require frequent and extensive refurbishment. NASA's highest priority new activity, the Reusable Launch Vehicle program, is directed toward developing technologies to enable a new generation of space launchers, perhaps but not necessarily with single stage to orbit capability. This book assesses whether the technology development, test and analysis programs in propulsion and materials-related technologies are properly constituted to provide the information required to support a December 1996 decision to build the X-33, a technology demonstrator vehicle; and suggest, as appropriate, necessary changes in these programs to ensure that they will support vehicle feasibility goals.
Download or read book A Review of United States Air Force and Department of Defense Aerospace Propulsion Needs written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2007-01-14 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rocket and air-breathing propulsion systems are the foundation on which planning for future aerospace systems rests. A Review of United States Air Force and Department of Defense Aerospace Propulsion Needs assesses the existing technical base in these areas and examines the future Air Force capabilities the base will be expected to support. This report also defines gaps and recommends where future warfighter capabilities not yet fully defined could be met by current science and technology development plans.
Download or read book Evaluation of the National Aerospace Initiative written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2004-06-16 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The National Aerospace Initiative (NAI) was conceived as a joint effort between the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to sustain the aerospace leadership of the United States through the acceleration of selected aerospace technologies: hypersonic flight, access to space, and space technologies. The Air Force became concerned about the NAI's possible consequences on Air Force programs and budget if NAI program decisions differed from Air Force priorities. To examine this issue, it asked the NRC for an independent review of the NAI. This report presents the results of that assessment. It focuses on three questions asked by the Air Force: is NAI technically feasible in the time frame laid out; is it financially feasible over that period; and is it operationally relevant.
Download or read book Department of Defense Policies and Programs to Transform the Armed Forces to Meet the Challenges of the 21st Century written by United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Armed Services and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Department of Defense Authorization for Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001 and the Future Years Defense Program written by United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Armed Services and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications written by and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 892 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Department of Defense Appropriations for 1997 written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on National Security and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 1014 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports written by and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 702 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Department of the air force written by United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Appropriations and published by . This book was released on 1971 with total page 910 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Ballistic Missile Defense Organization written by DIANE Publishing Company and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 1995-08 with total page 104 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Highlights 50 of Ballistic Missile Defense Organization's best success stories emerging from technology transfer in the past year. Covers technologies such as: medicine, environment, sensor, energy, the information superhighway, software, microelectronics, superconductors, and dual-use technologies, Photos.
Download or read book Defense Issues written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 568 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Hearings on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 H R 4546 and Oversight of Previously Authorized Programs Before the Committee on Armed Services House of Representatives One Hundred Seventh Congress Second Session written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 676 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Hearings Reports and Prints of the Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation written by United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and published by . This book was released on 1980 with total page 1254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Aeronautics and Space Report of the President Activities written by United States. President and published by . This book was released on 1981 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: