Upgrading the Space Shuttle

Upgrading the Space Shuttle PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309063825
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 82

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Book Description
The space shuttle is a unique national resource. One of only two operating vehicles that carries humans into space, the space shuttle functions as a scientific laboratory and as a base for construction, repair, and salvage missions in low Earth orbit. It is also a heavy-lift launch vehicle (able to deliver more than 18,000 kg of payload to low Earth orbit) and the only current means of returning large payloads to Earth. Designed in the 1970s, the shuttle has frequently been upgraded to improve safety, cut operational costs, and add capability. Additional upgrades have been proposed-and some are under way-to combat obsolescence, further reduce operational costs, improve safety, and increase the ability of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to support the space station and other missions. In May 1998, NASA asked the National Research Council (NRC) to examine the agency's plans for further upgrades to the space shuttle system. The NRC was asked to assess NASA's method for evaluating and selecting upgrades and to conduct a top-level technical assessment of proposed upgrades.

Upgrading the Space Shuttle

Upgrading the Space Shuttle PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309063825
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 82

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Book Description
The space shuttle is a unique national resource. One of only two operating vehicles that carries humans into space, the space shuttle functions as a scientific laboratory and as a base for construction, repair, and salvage missions in low Earth orbit. It is also a heavy-lift launch vehicle (able to deliver more than 18,000 kg of payload to low Earth orbit) and the only current means of returning large payloads to Earth. Designed in the 1970s, the shuttle has frequently been upgraded to improve safety, cut operational costs, and add capability. Additional upgrades have been proposed-and some are under way-to combat obsolescence, further reduce operational costs, improve safety, and increase the ability of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to support the space station and other missions. In May 1998, NASA asked the National Research Council (NRC) to examine the agency's plans for further upgrades to the space shuttle system. The NRC was asked to assess NASA's method for evaluating and selecting upgrades and to conduct a top-level technical assessment of proposed upgrades.

Space Shuttle Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) Program, Design, Construction and Operation of New Facilities for Manufacturing and Testing (MS,FL,LA)

Space Shuttle Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) Program, Design, Construction and Operation of New Facilities for Manufacturing and Testing (MS,FL,LA) PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 660

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Space Shuttle

Space Shuttle PDF Author: United States Accounting Office (GAO)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781719087087
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 24

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Book Description
Space Shuttle: Status of Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Program

Space Shuttle : Status of Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Program

Space Shuttle : Status of Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Program PDF Author: United States. General Accounting Office
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Space shuttles
Languages : en
Pages : 24

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From Earth to Orbit

From Earth to Orbit PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309047269
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 102

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Book Description
If the United States hopes to continue as a leader in space, it must invest now in better earth-to-orbit technology by replacing obsolete launch facilities while also developing a new class of more robust and reliable vehicles. From Earth to Orbit provides strategies to reduce launch costs while increasing the reliability and resiliency of vehicles. It also recommends continued improvements for the Space Shuttle Orbiter and its subsystems and the development of a Space Transportation Main Engine (STME).

The Space Shuttle Decision

The Space Shuttle Decision PDF Author: T. A. Heppenheimer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Space shuttles
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Long before the NASA was the throes of planning for the Apollo voyages to the Moon, many people had seen the need for a vehicle that could access space routinely. The idea of a reusable space shuttle dates at least to the theoretical rocketplane studies of the 1930s, but by the 1950s it had become an integral part of a master plan for space exploration. The goal of efficient access to space in a heavy-lift booster prompted NASA's commitment to the space shuttle as the vehicle to continue human space flight. By the mid-1960s, NASA engineers concluded that the necessary technology was within reach to enable the creation of a reusable winged space vehicle that could haul scientific and applications satellites of all types into orbit for all users. President Richard M. Nixon approved the effort to build the shuttle in 1972 and the first orbital flight took place in 1981. Although the development program was risky, a talented group of scientists and engineers worked to create this unique space vehicle and their efforts were largely successful. Since 1981, the various orbiters -Atlantis, Columbia, Discovery, Endeavour, and Challenger (lost in 1986 during the only Space Shuttle accident)- have made early 100 flights into space. Through 1998, the space shuttle has carried more than 800 major scientific and technological payloads into orbit and its astronaut crews have conducted more than 50 extravehicular activities, including repairing satellites and the initial building of the International Space Station. The shuttle remains the only vehicle in the world with the dual ability to deliver and return large payloads to and from orbit, and is also the world's most reliable launch system. The design, now almost three decades old, is still state-of-the-art in many areas, including computerized flight control, airframe design, electrical power systems, thermal protection system, and main engines. This significant new study of the decision to build the space shuttle explains the shuttle's origin and early development. In addition to internal NASA discussions, this work details the debates in the late 1960s and early 1970s among policymakers in Congress, the Air Force, and the Office of Management and Budget over the roles and technical designs of the shuttle. Examining the interplay of these organizations with sometimes conflicting goals, the author not only explains how the world's premier space launch vehicle came into being, but also how politics can interact with science, technology, national security, and economics in national government.

A Review of United States Air Force and Department of Defense Aerospace Propulsion Needs

A Review of United States Air Force and Department of Defense Aerospace Propulsion Needs PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309102472
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
Rocket and air-breathing propulsion systems are the foundation on which planning for future aerospace systems rests. A Review of United States Air Force and Department of Defense Aerospace Propulsion Needs assesses the existing technical base in these areas and examines the future Air Force capabilities the base will be expected to support. This report also defines gaps and recommends where future warfighter capabilities not yet fully defined could be met by current science and technology development plans.

Collected Reports of the Panel on Technical Evaluation of NASA's Redesign of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster

Collected Reports of the Panel on Technical Evaluation of NASA's Redesign of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster PDF Author:
Publisher: National Academies
ISBN:
Category : Space shuttles
Languages : en
Pages : 122

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Analysis and Effects of the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor on the Space Shuttle Elements

Analysis and Effects of the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor on the Space Shuttle Elements PDF Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781722231545
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 52

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Book Description
This interim final report summarizes the activities and major accomplishments under NASA/MSFC Contract NAS8-39235 for the initial two year contractual effort beginning October 1, 1991, and ending September 30, 1993. It is not intended as an exhaustive treatment or review of any particular technical issue which was addressed during this two-year period, but does provide an overview of the many induced environment studies and test support activities undertaken by REMTECH and its subcontractors during this two-year period. The initial scope of work has been pursued vigorously through this two-year period by separating the effort into five functional areas. The five functional areas are ascent plume radiation, ascent plume convection, ascent aerodynamic heating, launch stand environments, and reentry heating. A work breakdown structure (WBS) for each functional area was devised to permit nearly autonomous activities within each functional responsibility while maintaining commonality in reporting procedures and cost accounting. The contract was modified 11 times to provide incremental funding and to expand the scope of work. Additional work breakdown structure was incorporated to meet the expanded scope. A contract chronology is provided in Section 2. The initial scope of work, expanded scope, and corresponding WBS designation are described in Section 3. A summary review of major accomplishments is also provided in Section 4 to show the breadth of activities and extent of reporting. Reports, meetings, test activities, and other accomplishments within each functional area are also summarized by WBS heading in the appendices. Unspecified Center...

NASA Thesaurus

NASA Thesaurus PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Subject headings
Languages : en
Pages : 42

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Book Description