Advanced Concepts for Space Access

A paper summarizes commonly proposed advanced launch concepts, including both concepts that employ propellant and propellant-less concepts. A wide range of advanced launch concepts have been proposed in an effort to revolutionize space access through either a significant reduction in launch costs or significant improvements in launch performance. These revolutionary concepts aren't necessarily required to be in the propulsion arena. For example, materials that can dramatically reduce the inert mass fraction will also aid in a launch vehicle's ability to place more payload into orbit with existing propulsion systems.