Near-Term RLV Options

With heavy reliance on satellite imagery and global positioning systems (GPS) for commercial, scientific, and military applications, there is a critical need for assured accessto-space for maintenance, replenishment and protection of space assets. The Air Force has identified this need as “responsive space”. Its goals are to provide “intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance of ground targets (with either integrated or deployable ISR satellites), deployment and recovery of micro-satellites (e.g. Space Control Satellites) and rapid constellation replenishment”. As demonstrated by the Persian Gulf War and the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts, the usage of satellites is pivotal in providing military superiority. Traditionally, aerospace systems designers have focused on system performance, however due to the nature of responsive space, a paradigm change is required. This work focuses on re-evaluating the design process of launch systems, providing an emphasis on operational utility. In addition, an investigation of near-term science and technologies will be assessed and utilized to determine relative impact on operations tempo and overall influence on the system design. By employing state-of-the-art materials and current rocket engine technology, the resulting system designs can provide key decision-makers with many feasible options to develop and deploy a national reusable launch vehicle (RLV) in the 2012-2015 timeframe.