What will be the spaceships of the future?

What will be the spaceships of the future?

In the distant 70-ies of the engineers wanted to create spaceships of the future, which would be to transport cargo and people into orbit, and then safely return to Earth and re be in the ranks. Partly they succeeded.

In the 90-ies of the NASA space Agency led the development of the spacecraft, which would function like an airplane. The Agency pursued the goal of creating a spacecraft reusable, which would be efficient and reliable, and was also profitable from an economic point of view – unlike the shuttles.

The composition of this device includes 4 components, only one of which was reusable, namely the winged Orbiter. Huge external fuel tank was disconnected from the structure, and when the fuel was completely expended, and it happened after 8 minutes of flight, he simply burned in the atmosphere. The flanking two booster also disconnected after 2 minutes of flight time. After they landed in the ocean and walked on further recovery. A little later the rockets after dismantling was already filled with solid fuel. But all these procedures were very costly because they required special equipment, so it was easier to buy a disposable carrier rockets to launch the space Shuttle.

All these factors have raised the cost of the Shuttle launch to huge numbers, and it is up to 400 million dollars, making it incredibly expensive vehicle. It should be noted that this amount is only one flight, not counting the laboratories and satellites on Board. Over 40 years of existence of the space age missiles are single use unlike the Shuttle remains cheap.

What will be the spaceships of the future?

But the idea of a single use seemed more wasteful, because it is comparable to throwing the car after each trip. Theoretically, a multi-faceted aircraft could have been for a long time. But due to the fact that to produce materials that complement the various designs, expensive, and their use is therefore impractical.

In recent years, some factors have changed, making the idea of creating a single-stage reusable rocket more realistic. Since the inception of the Shuttle key technology improved substantially. The rapid development of composite materials, powerful ceramics and alloys has allowed to develop heat shields and lightweight fuel tanks. In addition, the engines have become more reliable and easier. Plus, distressed and heavy hydraulic system replaced the Electromechanical system of flight control. While modern computers and navigation systems improved maintenance and navigation.

What will be the spaceships of the future?

Technologies of this type are already used in the construction of the liner Boeing-777 bombers and F-22. All of these studies received their sprouts in the 80-ies, when there was a development of an aerospace plane that could go into orbit.

In the 90 years, engineers that support the use of reusable rockets, were able to convince DARPA to conduct research to ensure that single-stage rockets are more practical and cheap to use. The first such transport is called the Delta Clipper Experimental was designed and built by McDonnell Douglas Corporation.

After the apparatus was ready, the team was ready to demonstrate to the public that DC-X flight ready.

To reduce the cost of space flight do not need so many surgeries. According to most experts, the cost reduction will help to attract new clients, among which there will be space tourists. Another part of researchers believe that the cost may be reduced in the case when in the chair pilots the government allowed private entrepreneurs.

What will be the spaceships of the future?

From this point of view NASA fully agrees. In the 90 years, the space Agency announced that it wants to assist the private sector in the development of experimental spacecraft X-33. The essence of this experiment was to show that space travel can be quite cost-effective. In addition, the goal was set to reduce the cost of payload by 90 percent – about 3 thousand dollars per kilogram. According to forecasts of NASA, reaching that goal, they could get reusable launch vehicles due to the private segment, which will create and maintain this Park.

But MPH was not the main purpose, and served only as replacement for the Shuttle. Need to replace the Shuttle was not, as they could serve about 15 years, and with the additional improvements and 2030. The main goal of reusable launch vehicles had lower costs to run.