The factors involved in selecting propulsion stages to give minimum costs for future space-based transportation systems are outlined. A parametric procedure is described for selecting such minimum cost vehicles and applied to generalized and specific (lunar exploration and geostationary transfer) missions. The results indicate the different regimes wherein reusable and expendable vehicles (or mixes thereof) in single- or two-stage versions should give minimum costs. The results also show that for preferred configurations the costs of space transportation are essentially proportional to earth-to-orbit costs. (Author)
Optimizing the Design of Space-Based Transportation Systems
1971
63 pages
Report
No indication
English
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