Proceedings of the RAND Project AIR FORCE Workshop on Transatmospheric Vehicles

Proceedings of the RAND Project AIR FORCE Workshop on Transatmospheric Vehicles PDF

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Published: 1997

Total Pages: 0

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Transatmospheric vehicles (TAVs) are envisioned as a new type of reusable launch vehicle that could insert payloads into low earth orbit or deliver them to distant targets within minutes. Such a vehicle may be able to carry out several types of military, civil, and commercial missions. In past decades, a number of military TAV concepts have been proposed, but a complete operational vehicle has never been built. The promise of TAVs is that because of their reusability they could launch payloads at much lower cost than existing rockets. In addition, if they were operated more like aircraft and less like rockets, they could enable responsive and flexible space operations, features that would be useful for a number of military missions. This report summarizes the proceedings of a workshop and subsequent research into questions raised at the workshop. We examine potential missions and their implications for vehicle design, cost, and size. A variety of contractor TAV design concepts were presented and discussed, including designs currently being developed for the NASA X-33 and X-34 programs.

Proceedings of the Rand Project Air Force Workshop on Transatmospheric Vehicles

Proceedings of the Rand Project Air Force Workshop on Transatmospheric Vehicles PDF

Author: Daniel Gonzales

Publisher: RAND Corporation

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780833025470

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It may be possible for transatmospheric vehicles (TAVs) to insert payloads into low earth orbit or deliver payloads to distant targets within minutes, to carry out various types of military, civil, and commercial missions. The promise of TAVs lies in their reusability and their potential capability to launch payloads at much lower cost than existing rockets. In addition, if they were operated more like aircraft and less like rockets, they could permit responsive and flexible space operations, features that would be useful for a number of military missions. However, in spite of substantial past research, technology challenges remain, especially in propulsion, thermal protection systems, and overall vehicle integration. A workshop was held at RAND in April 1995 to examine TAV mission, technical feasibility, and design issues. This report summarizes the proceedings of that workshop and subsequent research into relevant questions flowing from the discussions.

The Militarization and Weaponization of Space

The Militarization and Weaponization of Space PDF

Author: Matthew Mowthorpe

Publisher: Lexington Books

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 9780739107133

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The militarization of space began as a rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union and grew to enormous proportions during the height of the Cold War. Satellite reconnaissance, navigation and weapons guidance, and electronic intelligence comprise only a few of the efforts taken to militarize and dominate space. Today as the prominence of information technology, computing, and telecommunications advances, so does the concept of space as a battlefield. In The Militarization and Weaponization of Space, Matthew Mowthorpe diligently analyzes the military space policies of the United States, the Soviet Union/Russia, and the People's Republic of China from the Cold War period to the present day. Mowthorpe focuses on the development of the ballistic missile defense and other anti-satellite systems and aptly assesses to what degree space will become armed. This work cogently addresses an issue of increasing urgency to scholars of international politics.

Selected Rand Abstracts

Selected Rand Abstracts PDF

Author: Rand Corporation

Publisher:

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 114

ISBN-13:

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Includes publications previously listed in the supplements to the Index of selected publications of the Rand Corporation (Oct. 1962-Feb. 1963).

Life Cycle Cost Assessments for Military Transatmospheric Vehicles

Life Cycle Cost Assessments for Military Transatmospheric Vehicles PDF

Author: Mel Eisman

Publisher: RAND Corporation

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780833025548

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The research objectives of one aspect of the Future Roles of the Air Force in Space projects include: (1) a review of potential military missions that TAVs could perform; (2) a list of enabling technologies to take advantage of; (3) differences between civil/commercial RLVs and military TAVs; and (4) rough order of magnitude (ROM) RDT & E and LCC assessment implementation strategies. The primary focus of this report is to document the preliminary cost assessments and implementation strategies.

Life Cycle Cost Assessments for Military Transatmospheric Vehicles

Life Cycle Cost Assessments for Military Transatmospheric Vehicles PDF

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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The X-33 and X-34 technology demonstration programs currently under way by NASA may ultimately lead to a commercial reusable launch vehicle (RLV). The first flight test for the X-33 vehicle is planned for early 1999. With NASA fully committed to the development of this first-ever completely reusable vehicle, it is prudent for the Air Force to examine the potential benefits, requirements, and costs for a military transatmospheric vehicle (TAV). This vehicle would take advantage of technologies developed during RLV-related programs. Although similar in concept, a military TAV may differ significantly in design and in capability from an RLV produced to satisfy commercial market needs.

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