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Published:1998
Author:
  • Dietrich Koelle
Origin:IAA-98-IAA.1.5.07
Abstract:

The paper starts with a set of major require-ments for a space tourism vehicle and discusses major vehicle options proposed for this purpose. It seems that the requirements can be met best with a Ballistic SSTO Vehicle which has the additional advantage of lowest development cost compared to other launch vehicle options - important for a commercial development venture. The BETA Ballistic Reusable Vehicle Concept is characterized by the plug nozzle cluster engine configuration where the plug nozzle serves also as base plate and re-entry heat shield. In this case no athmospheric turn maneuver is required ( as in case of the front-entry Delta-Clipper DC-Y concept). In our specific case for space tourism this mode has the avantage that the forces at launch and re-entry are in exactly the same direction, easing passenger seating arrangements. The second basic advantage is the large available volume on top of the vehicle providing ample space for passenger accomodation, visibility and volume for zero-g experience (free floating), one of the major passenger mission requirements. An adequate passenger cabin design for 100 passengers is presented, as well as the modern BETA-STV Concept with its mass allocations.

References:
  • Economical Feasibility of Space Tourism - A Global Market Scenario
  • Requirements for Space Tourism Launch Vehicles
  • SAENGER Space Transportation System
  • Requirements and Approach for Space Tourism Launch Systems
  • Vehicle Design for Space Tourism
  • TRANSCOST 6.1 - Statistical Analytical Model for Cost Estimation and Economical Optimization of Space Transportation Systems
  • ORYOL-FESTIP Cooperation: Comparison of Concepts and First Conclusions
  • BETA, A Single-Stage Reusable Ballistic Space Shuttle Concept
  • Performance and Cost Analysis for an SSTO+OTV Heavy Cargo Transportation System to GEO
  • The Single-Stage Reusable Ballistic Launcher Concept for Economic Cargo Transportation
  • Cost Engineering - The New Paradigm for Launch Vehicle Design
  • ESA/ESTEC Study on Advanced Rocket Propulsion Technologies
  • Journal of Space Technology and Science
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Keywords:Vehicles:Engineering
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