Reusable launch technology

Signal, Jul 2002

NASA and the U.S. Air Force are following a study team's recommendation that the two organizations pursue building a joint reusable launch vehicle demonstrator for both civil space and warfighting purposes. This demonstrator eventually could lead to a cargo vehicle for NASA and the Air Force as well as a crewed vehicle for the space agency. The vehicle could replace NASA's space shuttle and contribute to a transformational warfighting capability.

NASA and the Air Force share common needs in technology development, cargo lift requirements and launch architecture elements. The study group offers that the demonstration vehicle could provide the Defense Department with an early limited operational capability.

A cadre of Air Force experts will continue to work with NASA to refine operational concepts, requirements, figures of merit and design reference missions. These efforts will focus both on the demonstrator and on follow-on vehicles.