Within the present budgetary environment, developing the technology that leads to an operationally efficient space transportation system with the required performance is a challenge. The present research focuses on a methodology to determine high payoff technology investment strategies. Research has been conducted at Langley Research Center in which design codes for the conceptual analysis of space transportation systems have been integrated in a multidisciplinary design optimization approach. The current study integrates trajectory, propulsion, weights and sizing, and cost disciplines where the effect of technology maturation on the development cost of a single stage to orbit reusable launch vehicle is examined. Results show that the technology investment prior to full-scale development has a significant economic payoff. The design optimization process is used to determine strategic allocations of limited technology funding to maximize the economic payoff.
Optimal technology investment strategies for a reusable launch vehicle
1995-09-28
Conference paper
No indication
English
Reusable launch vehicle technology program
Online Contents | 1997
|Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Program
NTIS | 1996
|Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Program
NTRS | 1997
|Determination of Optimal Launch Vehicle Technology Investment Strategies During Conceptual Design
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996
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