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The main effort to improve space transportation is focused on a reduction of launch costs. Other major goals are to increase reliability and flexibility, and with increasing awareness to minimize the environmental impact of space transportation systems. Various concepts have been proposed to reach these goals. Most of them consider fully or at least partially reusable systems. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the major steps from the very first ideas towards the realization of a new space transportation system and to deduce appropriate guidelines for thc selection and the design of such a system. Based on principle technical options, defined goals, priorities and requirements (payload, mission etc.), a set of interrelations is elaborated leading to relevant concepts and optimization guidelines. Conceptual studies have then to comprise analyses of these relevant concepts as well as a variety of technological and programmatic assessments. The selectcd concept(s) will be investigated and refined, feasibility and detailed design and performance analyses have to be performed. Technology programs have to be defined including all kinds of dedicated validation and verification. Besides technical issues many other constraints and criteria have to be met. This paper describes the major steps and decisions to be taken including representative examples. Important technical issues are highlighted and other relevant aspects are addressed. The delineated proceeding may serve as a guideline for paving the way to the decision on a new generation of space transport systems. |
