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A British Reusable Booster Concept
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Sector:
Event:
Space Technology Conference
Language:
English
Abstract
With reusability accepted as a means of reducing operating costs, the size of the initial investment (research and development) is likely to determine the choice for the next generation boosters. High volume utilisation lifting bodies propelled by LH/LOX rockets in a vertical take-off mode are shown to be superior to several other concepts. This is largely due to the low manufactured weight without undue complexity or use of exotic materials, leading to low R&D and low unit cost.
Even lower costs can be shown for a modular concept (MUSTARD) in which basically identical lifting bodies units are utilised as both boosters and spacecraft. The concept is shown to be feasible, and progress on some aspects of the associated structural analysis is described.
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Authors
Citation
Smith, T., "A British Reusable Booster Concept," SAE Technical Paper 670389, 1967, https://doi.org/10.4271/670389.Also In
References
- Smith T.W. “An Approach to Economic Space Transportation” Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society 70 668 August 1966
- Derbyshire T. Clegg W.B. Smith T.W. “Economic Space Transportation - Thoughts on Missions, Size and Operational Sensitivity” Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society 70 660 September 1966
- Clegg W.B. Janik K.D. “Costing the Aerospace Transporter” Spaceflight: The British Interplanetary Society 9 4 April 1967
- Root M.W. Fuller G.M. “The Astro Concept” Astronautics and Aeronautics 2 1 January 1964