Space Operations and Economics

Future, potential developments in space transportation systems are reviewed. Consideration is given to spacecraft systems, launch and recovery facilities, and economic justification of future alternatives.

It is concluded that requirements for high system utilization rates must be evolved before a fully recoverable, reusable space transportation system can be economically justified. The recovery and refurbishment of current-type systems is suggested as an intermediate alternative which, by reducing cost per mission and increasing space system utilization, will ultimately lead to a valid requirement for advanced reusable systems.