Post by Blackbird on Aug 10, 2004 16:08:52 GMT -5
The Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Technology Program is a partnership between NASA and industry to design a new generation of launch vehicles expected to dramatically lower the costs of putting payloads in space. Today's launch systems are complex and costly to operate. The RLV program stresses a simple, fully reusable vehicle that will operate much like an airliner. NASA hopes to cut payload costs from $10,000 a pound, as it is today, to about $1,000 a pound. To accomplish this goal, NASA sought proposals from US aerospace industries for the RLV Technology Program.
On August 5, 1994, President Clinton issued the National Space Transportation Policy and designated NASA as the Lead Agency for advanced technology development and demonstration of the next generation of RLVs. Three concepts and preliminary designs were prepared independently by: (1) Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Palmdale, California; (2) McDonnell-Douglas Aerospace, Huntington Beach, California; and (3) Rockwell International Corporation, Space Systems Division, Downey, California.
>In July 1996, NASA selected Lockheed Martin Skunk Works of Palmdale CA to design, build and test the X-33 experimental vehicle for the RLV program. The selected team consists of Lockheed-Martin (lead by the Skunk Works in Palmdale, CA), Rocketdyne (Engines), Rohr (Thermal Protection Systems), Allied Signal (Subsystems), and Sverdrup (Ground Support Equipment), and various NASA and DoD laboratories. NASA has budgeted $941 million for the X-33 program through 1999. Lockheed Martin will invest at least $212 million in its X-33 design.
Specific technology objectives of the X-33 space vehicle include:
demonstrate a reusable cryogenic tank system, including the tanks for liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX), cryogenic insulation, and an integrated thermal protection system (TPS)
verify TPS durability, low maintenance, and performance at both low and high temperatures
demonstrate guidance, navigation, and control systems, including autonomous flight control of checkout, takeoff, ascent, flight, reentry, and landing for an autonomously controlled space vehicle
achieve hypersonic flight speeds (speeds up to Mach 15 or 18,000 km/hr(11,000 mph))
demonstrate composite primary space vehicle structures integrated with the TPS
demonstrate ability to perform 7-day turnarounds between three consecutive flights (a turnaround is the amount of time required from a takeoff and flight until the vehicle is serviced, refueled, and ready to fly again)
demonstrate ability to perform a 2-day turnaround between two consecutive flights
demonstrate that a maximum of 50 personnel performing hands-on vehicle operations, maintenance, and refueling can successfully accomplish flight readiness for two flights.
Specific test flight objectives would include demonstration of:
successful interaction of the engines, airframe, and launch (also referred to as takeoff) facility
engine performance, thrust, and throttling capability meets specifications
operability and control of the X-33's flight control surfaces (canted fins, flaps, ailerons, etc.)
durability of the metallic thermal protection system during repeated flights
performance of the guidance, navigation, and control system
performance of primary operations facilities, including takeoff infrastructure
automated landing at a designated point on the runway
verification of tasks required to service the vehicle on landing and prepare it for next flight in minimal time.
The reusable, wedge-shaped X-33, called VentureStar, will be about half the size of a full-scale RLV. The X-33 will not take payloads into space; it will be used only to demonstrate the vehicle's design and simulate flight characteristics of the full-scale RLV. Lockheed Martin plans to conduct the first flight test in March 1999 and achieve at least 15 flights by December 1999. NASA has budgeted $941 million for the project through 1999. Lockheed Martin will invest $220 million in its X-33 design. After the test program, government and industry will decide whether or not to continue with a full-scale RLV.
The RLV will fly much like the Space Shuttle. It will take off vertically and land on a runway. However, there are differences between the two vehicles. The RLV will be a means of transport only. It will not be used as a science platform like the current Space Shuttle.
On August 5, 1994, President Clinton issued the National Space Transportation Policy and designated NASA as the Lead Agency for advanced technology development and demonstration of the next generation of RLVs. Three concepts and preliminary designs were prepared independently by: (1) Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Palmdale, California; (2) McDonnell-Douglas Aerospace, Huntington Beach, California; and (3) Rockwell International Corporation, Space Systems Division, Downey, California.
>In July 1996, NASA selected Lockheed Martin Skunk Works of Palmdale CA to design, build and test the X-33 experimental vehicle for the RLV program. The selected team consists of Lockheed-Martin (lead by the Skunk Works in Palmdale, CA), Rocketdyne (Engines), Rohr (Thermal Protection Systems), Allied Signal (Subsystems), and Sverdrup (Ground Support Equipment), and various NASA and DoD laboratories. NASA has budgeted $941 million for the X-33 program through 1999. Lockheed Martin will invest at least $212 million in its X-33 design.
Specific technology objectives of the X-33 space vehicle include:
demonstrate a reusable cryogenic tank system, including the tanks for liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX), cryogenic insulation, and an integrated thermal protection system (TPS)
verify TPS durability, low maintenance, and performance at both low and high temperatures
demonstrate guidance, navigation, and control systems, including autonomous flight control of checkout, takeoff, ascent, flight, reentry, and landing for an autonomously controlled space vehicle
achieve hypersonic flight speeds (speeds up to Mach 15 or 18,000 km/hr(11,000 mph))
demonstrate composite primary space vehicle structures integrated with the TPS
demonstrate ability to perform 7-day turnarounds between three consecutive flights (a turnaround is the amount of time required from a takeoff and flight until the vehicle is serviced, refueled, and ready to fly again)
demonstrate ability to perform a 2-day turnaround between two consecutive flights
demonstrate that a maximum of 50 personnel performing hands-on vehicle operations, maintenance, and refueling can successfully accomplish flight readiness for two flights.
Specific test flight objectives would include demonstration of:
successful interaction of the engines, airframe, and launch (also referred to as takeoff) facility
engine performance, thrust, and throttling capability meets specifications
operability and control of the X-33's flight control surfaces (canted fins, flaps, ailerons, etc.)
durability of the metallic thermal protection system during repeated flights
performance of the guidance, navigation, and control system
performance of primary operations facilities, including takeoff infrastructure
automated landing at a designated point on the runway
verification of tasks required to service the vehicle on landing and prepare it for next flight in minimal time.
The reusable, wedge-shaped X-33, called VentureStar, will be about half the size of a full-scale RLV. The X-33 will not take payloads into space; it will be used only to demonstrate the vehicle's design and simulate flight characteristics of the full-scale RLV. Lockheed Martin plans to conduct the first flight test in March 1999 and achieve at least 15 flights by December 1999. NASA has budgeted $941 million for the project through 1999. Lockheed Martin will invest $220 million in its X-33 design. After the test program, government and industry will decide whether or not to continue with a full-scale RLV.
The RLV will fly much like the Space Shuttle. It will take off vertically and land on a runway. However, there are differences between the two vehicles. The RLV will be a means of transport only. It will not be used as a science platform like the current Space Shuttle.