|
"A real
shortcoming of the HRST study that must be recognized was
that time and resources did not permit a systematic
effort to redesign all of the preferred concepts in light
of specific guidance from the HRST
Operations Integration team..." John Mankins, HRST Program
Manager, Aerospace America, Aug.98, Correspondence
section. The challenge ... 4,850 metric tons ... 100’s of flights per year... $400/kg max. |
| KSC is
currently supporting the NASA Space Solar Power study
being managed by MSFC. One focus of the KSC work is the
assessment of space transportation system concepts that
demonstrate promise in being able to meet the economic
challenges of the Space Solar Power concept. This
includes very cheap payload transportation costs and an
ability to deploy the space solar power stations quickly.
The latter requires high flight rates on the order of
hundreds per year for even large payload vehicles. This redesign and optimization of space transportation system concepts builds on those promising concepts identified in the Highly Reusable Space Transportation (HRST) study which concluded in 1997. |
For
other information on this subject: Testimony HEARING SUMMARY: Subject: Hearing on "Space Solar Power: A Fresh Look" before the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics of the House Committee on Science, October 24, 1997. Including testimony by Mr. John Mankins, Manager of Advanced Concepts Studies, Office of Space Flight, NASA. NASA WATCH: Solar Power Satellites: An assortment of background information and links to other sites. |
