The Space Shuttle Verses Expendable Launch Vehicles Lessons for the Future?

Abstract

During the development of the space shuttle, the United States space launch strategy changed from a mix of Expandable Launch Vehicles (ELVs) and shuttles to depending exclusively of the shuttle. And, for awhile the strategy seemed to be working. Then, in January 1986, on the system's 25th launch, the space shuttle Challenger exploded during takeoff and the flaw in strategy was painfully obvious to everyone. Any significant problem with the shuttle could and would ground it until the problem was corrected. A process that could take years. In the meantime, the nation would be without a launch capability. The space community lost no time in returning to a mix of ELVs and shuttles strategy. Looking to the future, the National Aerospace Plane or the Heavy Lift Vehicle will give the nation another chance to debate what its national space launch strategy should be. This report explores the decision making process which led up to this shuttle only launch strategy to see if there are any lessons to be learned for this upcoming debate.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA202014

Entities

People

  • Robert M. Mihara

Organizations

  • Air War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerospaceplanes
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronautics
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Earth Orbits
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • National Security
  • Payload
  • Space Sciences
  • Space Systems
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Educational Psychology
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space