Reusability - The Next Major Launch Vehicle Development

This paper addresses itself to the question of what direction launch vehicle development activity should proceed after Saturn V/Apollo.

Development problems are identified, and a logical launch system development program is suggested. The space programs for the next two decades are identified; launch vehicle economic and operational alternatives are explored; and the place reusability may have in future launch vehicle development is examined in particular.

Five basic vehicle alternatives are considered: existing expendable boosters, existing expendable boosters uprated, new expendable boosters, expendable boosters modified for recovery and reuse, and new reusable vehicles.