Future Space Plane

EURO-SHUTTLE:

Europe should team up with Russia and utilize Buran-Energia! They could also participate the Kliper design.

Alternatively they could resurrect the Hermes Spaceplane concept.

The next logical step to Commercializing Space is to take 50 passengers as tourists on the U.S. Shuttle or Buran if it is resurrected! There is no data with regard to the cost of launching and running Buran at the moment!

If anybody has any figures, please email me:

'spaceprojectsandinfo@aerospaceguide.every1.net'.

Maks Launch System:

Maks has so much potential! Russia is continuing work at a slow pace on the Maks Launch System. What they need is partners and investors.

Specifications: 8300Kg to 200km LEO + 2 crew

Ressurrect Energia/Buran?

I personally think the USA and Russia should collaborate and merge their Shuttle programs together!

SPIRAL:

The Spiral program should have been continued! The planned Soyuz Launch Vehicle version should have been built. Looking back in history, Chelomei's LKS design seems more flexible!

The idea of a small plane with an expendable service module/section seems to be the cheapest interim solution!

USA'S SPACE SHUTTLE SUCCESSOR?

With regards to the U.S. Space Shuttle, NASA is fumbling with the Shuttle's successor because a cheaper Space Plane will destroy the Shutle's future!

In the near term a 2 Stage Reusable Launch Vehicle seems more realistic than a Single Stage to Orbit.

Possible Shuttle Solution are:

1). Single stage To Orbit (SSTO) like Venturestar carrying piggy-back SpacePlane like the Hl-20 or an X-38 derivative.

2). Two Stage Shuttle consisting of the Booster and Orbiter using a crossfeed propellant method. The Booster feeds the Orbiter. At separation, the Orbiter is fully fuelled.

3). Build Liquid Fly Back Boosters (LFFB)for the present U.S. Space Shuttle. Use a LFFB as a separate launch vehicle to launch a small space plane.

4). The quickest solution is launch a spaceplane such as the HL-20 on either the Atlas V or Delta IV. NASA is planning to replace the Space Shuttle with the Crew Exploration Vehicle design. As of May 2005 the final design of the Crew Exploration Vehicle has not been selected yet.

Possible Ideas for NASA:

1). Develop a 400,000Kgf LCH4 (Liquid Methane)/LH2 (Liquid Hydrogen)/LOX (Liquid Oxygen)
Tripropellant engines similar to Russia's RD-701.

NASA does not seem to learn from its past mistakes. The Shuttle's SSME's engines took too long to develop and their required specification of 50 re-uses seems unrealistic now. The lesson is that NASA should promote and develop new Rocket Engines. The engines are the backbone of any Launch System.

2). Make a decision with a New Launch Vehicle System and go for it!

Scramjets

The ultimate space planes of the future will be powered by a scramjet.

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