Cost Comparison Of Expendable, Hybrid and Reusable Launch Vehicles

Abstract

This study compares the developmental, production, and maintenance costs (DPM) of twostage- to-orbit (TSTO) expendable (ELV), hybrid (HLV), and reusable (RLV) launch systems. This comparison was accomplished using top level mass and cost estimating relations (MERs, CERs). Mass estimating relationships were correlated to existing launch system data and ongoing launch system studies. Cost estimating relations were derived from Dr. Dietrich Koelle's 'Handbook of Cost Engineering for Space Transportation Systems'. Hybrid launch vehicles appear to be preferable if current or modest increases in launch rates are projected while reusable launch vehicles appear preferable for large projected increases in launch rates.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA451291

Entities

People

  • Greg J. Gstattenbauer

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Earth Orbits
  • Engineering
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Maintenance
  • Maintenance Costs
  • Payload
  • Reusable Launch Vehicles
  • Rocket Engines
  • Space Shuttles
  • Space Transportation
  • Spacecraft
  • Transport Aircraft
  • United States

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Computer Engineering
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Technology Areas

  • Space