Go Horizontal: A Reusable, Evolvable, Feasible Space Launch Roadmap

Abstract

U.S. commercial interests, Department of Defense (DoD) global strike and space control desires, and President Bush’s “new plan to explore space and extend a human presence across our solar system” all drive the requirements of American space launch systems, often in disparate directions. The single constant—and major constraint—is a lack of funding. What is needed is a consistent space launch approach that is evolvable, doesn’t necessitate substantial technology advancement, addresses multiple requirement sets, and can be available near-term while still having long-term applicability. Today’s status quo is vertical takeoff, all-rocket, and expendable launch systems. This approach has proven inflexible, risky, and costly. Even the single reusable example (the Space Shuttle) is plagued by the same problems. However, an alternate approach is available which may overcome traditional space lift problems: horizontal takeoff and landing. Andrews Space proposes a responsible spiral development roadmap for horizontal takeoff, horizontal landing (HTHL) launch systems. The key to this roadmap is the operability of HTHL vehicles. Other significant advantages are the synergy across the HTHL family of vehicles, the limited technology development required, and the applicability to both today’s needs and future plans. These advantages all lead to considerable improvements in system life cycle cost. Andrews Space also proposes three vehicles as representative members of the HTHL family: a small launch vehicle for immediate DoD global strike and small satellite launch needs, a midsize vehicle with moderate (10-15klb to LEO) payload capacity to compete with existing expendables, and an advanced system capable of heavy lift for NASA exploration missions. Acronyms