Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems

This third edition of Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems and Integration - Enabling Technologies for Space Exploration, has been updated and expanded. The major addition addresses the multi-disciplinary integration between the spectrum of hypersonic vehicles to reach Earth orbit and that of their propulsion systems. A best-practice sizing approach is presented to define the solution spaces and facilitate the correct design of these integrated flight vehicles to mission. This pragmatic approach is the essential capability sought after by design teams, technology forecasters and strategic planners alike, and includes lesson learned and space launchers as examples from the past.

Among novel systems, the chapter on future combined engines includes now description and performance of pulsed detonation engines. All aspects of space flight discussed in the first two editions have been updated and augmented to account for the many changes in technology, policy and space objectives following the demise of the US Shuttle and the appearance of private space companies.

Accordingly, the chapters dealing with near-Earth, interplanetary, galactic and future breakthrough propulsion have been expanded to include new applications, such as nuclear magnetic pulses, recent concept powered by inertial fusion, and new issues as, for instance, space radiation, a major obstacle to space exploration and commercialization in the years to come.

This book can be useful to graduate students and teachers, as well as industrial organizations and planners.

Klappentext

This third edition of Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems and Integration Enabling Technologies for Space Exploration, has been updated and expanded. The major addition addresses the multi-disciplinary integration between the spectrum of hypersonic vehicles to reach Earth orbit and that of their propulsion systems. A best-practice sizing approach is presented to define the solution spaces and facilitate the correct design of these integrated flight vehicles to mission. This pragmatic approach is the essential capability sought after by design teams, technology forecasters and strategic planners alike, and includes lesson learned and space launchers as examples from the past. Among novel systems, the chapter on future combined engines includes now description and performance of pulsed detonation engines. All aspects of space flight discussed in the first two editions have been updated and augmented to account for the many changes in technology, policy and space objectives following the demise of the US Shuttle and the appearance of private space companies. Accordingly, the chapters dealing with near-Earth, interplanetary, galactic and future breakthrough propulsion have been expanded to include new applications, such as nuclear magnetic pulses, recent concept powered by inertial fusion, and new issues as, for instance, space radiation, a major obstacle to space exploration and commercialization in the years to come.

This book can be useful to graduate students and teachers, as well as industrial organizations and planners.

Zusammenfassung

In this second edition of Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems, the authors demonstrate the need to break free from the old established concepts of expendable rockets, using chemical propulsion, and to develop new breeds of launch vehicle capable of both launching payloads into orbit at a dramatically reduced cost and for sustained operations in low-Earth orbit. The next steps to establishing a permanent 'presence' in the Solar System beyond Earth are the commercialisation of sustained operations on the Moon and the development of advanced nuclear or high-energy space propulsion systems for Solar System exploration out to the boundary of interstellar space.

In the future, high-energy particle research facilities may one day yield a very high-energy propulsion system that will take us to the nearby stars, or even beyond. Space is not quiet: it is a continuous series of nuclear explosions that provide the material for new star systems to form and provide the challenge to explore. This book provides an assessment of the industrial capability required to construct and operate the necessary spacecraft. Time and distance communication and control limitations impose robotic constraints. Space environments restrict human sustained presence and put high demands on electronic, control and materials systems.

This comprehensive and authoritative book puts spacecraft propulsion systems in perspective, from earth orbit launchers to astronomical/space exploration vehicles. It includes new material on fusion propulsion, new figures and updates and expands the information given in the first edition.

Inhalt
Overview.- Our progress appears to be impeded.- Commercial near-Earth space launcher: a perspective.- Commercial near-Earth launcher: propulsion.- Earth orbit on-orbit operations in near-Earth orbit, a necessary second step.- Earth-Moon system: establishing a Solar System presence.- Exploration of our Solar System.- Stellar and interstellar precursor missions.- View to the future and exploration of our Galaxy.