Air-Breathing Launch Vehicle for Earth-Orbit Shuttle-New Technology and Development Approach

Abstract

Low-cost transportation to and from Earth orbit with systems characterized by reusability, flexibility, and airline-type operations is a prime goal of the space program. The airbreathing HTOL launch vehicle has inherent features which make it a candidate for such a system but, unfortunately, the lack of a developed powerplant implies a procurement cycle length on the order of a decade. The purpose of this paper is to assess the status of the airbreathing launch vehicle in the light of recent achievements in propulsion and configuration development. It is concluded that all maj or questions of feasibility, particularly in the area of hypersonic propulsion, have been answered favorably by the investigations of several small research engines recently completed. The remaining key problems are discussed together with some promising approaches toward their solution. Finally, important steps required to develop an operational air-breathing system by the early eighties are discussed.