The key to opening the use of space to private enterprise and to broader public uses lies in reducing the cost of the transportation to space. More routine, affordable access to space will entail aircraft-like quick turnaround and reliable operations. Currently, the space Shuttle is the only reusable launch vehicle, and even parts of it are expendable while other parts require frequent and extensive refurbishment. NASA's highest priority new activity, the Reusable Launch Vehicle program, is directed toward developing technologies to enable a new generation of space launchers, perhaps but not necessarily with single stage to orbit capability. This book assesses whether the technology development, test and analysis programs in propulsion and materials-related technologies are properly constituted to provide the information required to support a December 1996 decision to build the X-33, a technology demonstrator vehicle; and suggest, as appropriate, necessary changes in these programs to ensure that they will support vehicle feasibility goals.
- Reusable Launch Vehicle
- Copyright
- Preface
- Contents
- List of Tables and Figures
- Executive Summary
- COMPOSITE PRIMARY STRUCTURES
- MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PRIMARY STRUCTURES
- REUSABLE CRYOGENIC TANKS
- Al-Li Cryogenic Tanks
- Major Recommendations Regarding Al-Li Cryogenic Tanks
- Organic-Matrix Composite Cryogenic Tanks
- Major Recommendations Regarding Organic-Matrix Composite Cryogenic Tanks
- THERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS
- Major Recommendations Regarding TPS
- PROPULSION SYSTEMS
- Major Recommendations Regarding Propulsion Systems
- GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
- 1 Introduction
- BACKGROUND
- DECISION CRITERIA
- STUDY TASK
- APPROACH
- ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT
- 2 Primary Vehicle Structure
- INTRODUCTION
- DECISION CRITERIA
- NASA/INDUSTRY PROGRAMS
- Design Practices
- Components of Major Structures
- Development and Test Programs
- Alternate and Supplemental Technologies
- FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- 3 Reusable Cryogenic Tank System
- INTRODUCTION
- DECISION CRITERIA
- NASA/INDUSTRY PROGRAMS-AL-LI CRYOGENIC TANKS
- FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS-AL-LI CRYOGENIC TANKS
- Findings
- Selection of Materials
- Welding
- Near-Net-Shape Forming
- LOX Tank
- LH2 Tank
- Recommendations
- NASA/INDUSTRY PROGRAMS-ORGANIC-MATRIX COMPOSITE TANKS
- FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS-ORGANIC-MATRIX COMPOSITE TANKS
- Findings
- Cycle Life
- Producibility
- LOX Tank
- Recommendations
- 4 Thermal Protection System
- INTRODUCTION
- DECISION CRITERIA
- NASA/INDUSTRY PROGRAMS
- FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- 5 Propulsion
- INTRODUCTION
- DECISION CRITERIA
- NASA/INDUSTRY PROGRAMS
- Engines
- Existing Engines
- Upgraded Engines
- New Engines
- Engine Applicability to X-33 and RLV
- Performance
- Sea-Level F/W Improvement
- Throttling
- Turbopumps and Pumps
- Combustion and Mixture Ratio
- Gas generators
- Injectors
- Combustion Chambers
- Nozzles
- Producibility, Reusability, Maintainability and Operability
- Manufacturing Operations
- Turbomachinery (turbines, pumps, assemblies)
- Revolutionary Reusable Technology Turbopump (RRTT) and Other Advanced Turbopumps
- Hydrostatic (Hydrodynamic) Bearings
- High Performance Low Maintenance Powerheads
- Combustors and Nozzles
- SSME Block III Controller/New RD-0120 Controller
- Valve Actuation
- Health Monitoring
- High Reliability Sensors
- New Fabrication Techniques
- New Materials
- FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- 6 Conclusions and Observations
- MATERIALS
- PROPULSION
- OBSERVATIONS
- Appendix A List of Participants
- Appendix B Biographical Sketches of Committee Members
- Appendix C List of Acronyms/Abbreviations
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