AAWSAP DIRD, Space Access: Where We’ve Been and Where We Could Go, March 2010

Text

This text came with the file. It may have mistakes. When the text and the image disagree, the image is right.

UNCLASSIFIED/ /FOR: 0rr1e1J1tt Y!H: 8HLY
forced HTO mode would instead have a gross weight in excess of 1,000 tons. so the
resulting observation was "See! Air breathers are not lighter than all-rocket!" And so
the rocket proponents have defeated an air-breathing solution since the first aerospace
plane in 1958.
Launch Options
Previously, an option was presented for a mobile launch platform that was limited to an
11- to 12-metric ton (24,225- to 26,460-lb) payload . This section presents a
conventional vertical launch site that provides for frequent, scheduled launches and no
intrinsic payload weight. In a discussion with the author, Lozino-Lozinski questioned
the practicality of the NASP, describing it as nothing more than a very large orbital­
entry-protected propellant tank. His approach was to minimize the volume of
propellant tanks that required orbital-entry protection. Prior to meeting DARPA's
Robert Williams, the MDC had the same philosophy, as shown in Figure 35.
2,370,000 lb
814,500 lb
580,000 lb
301,000 lb
512,000 lb
80,000 lb
SSTO
1 1/2 Stage
2 Stage
Figure 35. Propellant Tanks That Are Not Reentry Vehicles Greatly Reduce System Weight. Venture star
orbital maneuver rules.
This was the MDC manned aerospace vehicle approach we briefed before the NASP.
The size, thermal protection system surface area, and weight of the SSTO vehicle to
just a stage-and-a-half concept is significant. All of the booster segments were fully
recoverable and reusable with rebuilding. The cargo capsule was not recoverable. This
operational concept envisioned frequent, scheduled launches at least equal in number
to those of the 1964 MOL support launcher-that is, 100 to 150 launches a year.
UNCLASSIFIED/tEOR OFFICIO! 1!SE Alli Y
33