Designing for Annual Spacelift Performance

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for approaching space launch system design from a total architectural point of view. This different approach to conceptual design is contrasted with traditional approaches that focus on a single set of metrics for flight system performance, i.e., payload lift per flight, vehicle mass, specific impulse, etc. The approach presented works with a larger set of metrics, including annual system lift, or "spacelift" performance. Spacelift performance is more inclusive of the flight production capability of the total architecture, i.e., the flight and ground systems working together as a whole to produce flights on a repeated basis. In the proposed methodology, spacelift performance becomes an important design-for-support parameter for flight system concepts and truly advanced spaceport architectures of the future. The paper covers examples of existing system spacelift performance as benchmarks, points out specific attributes of space transportation systems that must be greatly improved over these existing designs, and outlines current activity in this area.