Introduction

The potential for the future seems almost limitless, but we must begin now if we are to succeed in realizing the benefits that leadership in this endeavor will bring. Achieving affordable access to low-Earth orbit is key to realizing the potential of space. When successful, we will open the doors wider to space commerce, enable exploration-class missions, and protect our national security. From communications satellites to in-space manufacturing of revolutionary pharmaceuticals and electronics, we will all reap untold benefits from this new frontier.

Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV)

In 1999, the X-33 tehnology demonstration flight vehicle will begin its
flight test program over the western United States, flying at
up to 15 times the speed of sound.

The X-33 and X-34 technology demonstrators will be used to prove the technologies needed for a full-scale, commercially developed reusable launch vehicle (RLV). The overall goals of NASA's RLV technology demonstrators is to reduce the cost of putting a pound of payload into space from $10,000 to $1,000 and to enable private industry to participate more competitively in the commercial space market. The X-33, the flagship technology demonstrator of this effort, is being designed and developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin. It is autonomously operated, taking off vertically like a rocket, reaching altitudes up to 60 miles and speeds in excess of Mach 13, and landing horizontally like an airplane. As many as 15 test flights are planned beginning in 2000.

X-34 Technology Demonstration

The X-34 technology testbed demonstrator is being designed and developed under contract by Orbital Sciences Corp. It is a reusable, suborbital, air-launched vehicle that will fly at a top speed of Mach 8 and altitudes up to 50 miles. It will demonstrate several key technologies for future RLVs. Plans call for the reusable X-34 to fly up to 27 times beginning in 1999.

NASA POC:
Dr. Dominic Amatore
256-544-0031
Dom.Amatore@msfc.nasa.gov

Web Site:
http://stp.msfc.nasa.gov/

Commercial Space Transportation

Roton is a single-stage-to orbit vehicle designed for vertical
takeoff and landing, using a system of centrifugal pumping of
propellant by rotating the engine and using a rotor to land
the vehicle. A prototype vehicle rollout was held by
Rotary Rocket on March 1st.

The Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Trans-portation (AST) is the newest and only space-related line of business within the FAA, which has the responsibility to regulate the U.S. commercial space transportation industry and license commercial launches.

One of the most challenging and exciting developments for the industry occurred during the mid-1990s when several small start-up companies proposed to develop commercial reusable launch vehicles. Several of these companies are now building vehicles. And a boom in demand for launches to low Earth orbit is predicted. These companies also expect to serve new markets such as passenger service, fast package delivery, space station resupply, and commercial microgravity missions. In fact, over a dozen RLV designs have been proposed specifically to foster a market for space tourism.

Kistler Aerospace Corporation is developing the K-1 two-stage
reusable launch vehicle for commercial launches of LEO payloads
(approximately 10,000 lbs to a standard LEO orbit).
First launch 1999 or 2000.

To keep pace with the rapidly expanding commercial space transportation industry, the FAA has begun developing a concept of operations for a Space and Air Traffic Management System (SATMS). SATMS would provide seamless and fully integrated space and aviation operations in a modernized, efficient National airspace system. With the number of U.S. space transportation operations already increasing sharply, the need for a smart, rapid evolution towards realization of the SATMS vision is paramount.

The Astroliner reusable launch vehicle will be twoed into the air by a modified
Boeing 747 aircraft, released and proceed on a suborbital trajectory under its
own power. First launch is proposed for 2002.

The AST is coordinating all its work working on this challenging initiative, including work with Air Traffic Services, Research and Acquisitions, and Regulation and Certifica-tion. The U.S. Air Force Associate Director for Civil Aviation also plays a key role by ensuring that the march towards SATMS remains coherent with national defense objectives.

FAA POC:
Brenda Parker
202-267-8308
brenda.parker@faa.dot.gov

Near-Net-Shape Manufacturing

Near-net-shape manufacturing techniques being used in
construction of a cryogenic fuel tank.

The next steps in demonstrating these technologies are to evaluate the durability and damage tolerance of large integrally stiffened structural components and to scale-up the near-net-shape manufacturing processes. These areas are being addressed in NASA's Integral Airframe Structures and Advanced Space Transportation programs.

NASA POC:
John A. Wagner
757-864-3132
j.a.wagner@larc.nasa.gov

Rocket-Based Combined Cycle (RBCC)

NASA is developing the technologies to provide dramatic reductions in the cost of access to space by using air-breathing launch vehicles using a combined cycle propulsion system. Current launch vehicles cost more than $10,000 per pound of payload delivered to space. Air-breathing launch vehicles can theoretically reduce this cost to $100's per pound. What is more, using combined cycle propulsion for a portion of the way to space means mission planners could modify the trajectory (catch up to a space station, for example) less expensively, that is using less fuel, than they could when using an all-rocket launch vehicle.

Conceptual Propulsion Research Vehicle.

NASA is pioneering the development of a simplified low-risk approach to air-breathing launch. Goals of the program include the development of critical propulsion technologies by 2001, a flight-like propulsion system to be tested by 2003, and a flight demonstration of an unmanned vehicle for the 2010 time-frame. This vehicle will fly from vertical launch to more than 11 times the speed of sound using combined cycle propulsion.

NASA POCs:
Donald T. Palac
216-977-7094
Donald.T.Palac@grc.nasa.gov

Garry M. Lyles
256-544-9203
Garry.M.Lyles@msfc.nasa.gov

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