The physical configuration, task versatility, and typical mission profile of the Space Shuttle are illustrated and described, and a comparison of shuttle and expendable rocket costs is discussed, with special emphasis upon savings to be achieved in ground operations. A review of economies achieved by engineering design improvements covers the automated checkout by onboard shuttle systems, the automated launch processing system, the new maintenance concept, and the analogy of Space Shuttle and airline repetitive operations. The Space Shuttle is shown to represent a new level in space flight technology, particularly, the sophistication of the systems and procedures devised for its support and ground operations.


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    Title :

    Economics in ground operations of the Space Shuttle


    Contributors:
    Gray, R. H. (author)

    Conference:

    International Astronautical Congress ; 1973 ; Baku, Azerbaidzhan SSR


    Publication date :

    1973-10-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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