Costs and benefits of future heavy space freighters

Abstract

This paper investigates a class of two-stage reusable ballistic space freighters with nominal launch masses of 7000 metric tons for transport of heavy payloads into low Earth orbits with special regard to vehicle cost efficiency. A life-cycle cost analysis shows that space freighters with a conventional aluminum structure offer significantly lower specific transportation costs than today's systems for large payload markets and high launch rates. Advanced structural materials and thermal protection systems offer further important reductions with regard not only to vehicle mass but also to specific transportation costs. A phased introduction of these technologies is cost efficient for larger programs with more than 100 vehicles.