Critical Aspects of Implementing Reusable Booster Concepts

Three critical aspects of implementing reusable booster concepts are discussed. These aspects center on requirements for economic justification, establishing the credibility of recurring cost characteristics, and means of minimizing development costs such that these nonrecurring costs are matched with the size of market which must amortize them. The impact of these factors on implementing a reusable booster development program is discussed. Approaches and possible programs are suggested that could make significant progress toward establishing our technological preparedness for reusable booster program implementation.