The Space Shuttle as an Element in the National Space Program

Abstract

An examination is made of the economic justification and potential funding problems of the space transportation system (STS) recommended for development by the President's Space Task Group in September 1969. The concept of a two-stage, fully reusable launch vehicle that can place a 40,000 to 50, 0000-lb payload into low earth polar orbit is currently being studied for possible inclusion in future STS programs. Viewed over the long term, the shuttle has definite merit, but its immediate economic justification depends on the pace that is finally adopted for the national space program.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1970
Accession Number
AD0729770

Entities

People

  • D. J. Dreyfuss
  • G. S. Levenson
  • R. D. Shaver
  • W. D. Gosch

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Costs
  • Department Of Defense
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Manned Spacecraft
  • Orbits
  • Payload
  • Polar Orbits
  • Procurement
  • Space Shuttles
  • Space Stations
  • Space Systems
  • Space Transportation
  • Spacecraft
  • Transportation
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Space