Abstract
Human exploration and commercial exploitation of space is bogged down because of the lack of safe, low cost, access to LEO. Opening the Final Frontier requires developing a Next Generation RLV that can address both the current, as well as the Future Elastic Space Markets. This requires a launch system with a new breakthrough propulsion system that is capable of airplane-like safety and reliability while operating for hundreds of hours with little or no maintenance. A systems engineering study to derive Next Generation RLV design requirements, and an RLV design study looking at three advanced RLV architectures (RBCC SSTO, TBCC TSTO, and Alchemist ACES TSTO) indicates that the Alchemist ACES TSTO is both the best near term and overall solution for addressing the Future Markets. Nomenclature ACES Air Collection and Enrichment System ACE-TR Air Core Enhanced Turbine Ramjet ATS Access to Space (Study) ELV Expendable Launch Vehicle GEO Geosynchronous Earth Orbit GTO Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit HTML Horizontal Takeoff and Horizontal Landing Isp Specific Impulse (Ibf/lbm/sec) ISS International Space Station LEO Low Earth Orbit LOX Liquid Oxygen MEO Medium Earth Orbit O2 Oxygen OMS Orbital Maneuvering System RBCC Rocket-Based Combined Cycle RCS Reaction Control System RLV Reusable Launch Vehicle SSTO Single-Stage-to-Orbit TBCC Turbine-Based Combined Cycle TOGW Takeoff Gross Weight (Horizontal TO) TSTO Two-Stage-to-Orbit
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