Proposal for One-time Use Wings for Small Fixed-Wing Space Shuttles

摘要

The existing space shuttle (or the round-triprnspacecraft) is equipped with main wings at therntime of its launch and it is impossible to preventrna damage by the first boost's high heat andrnvibration completely. Furthermore, it can bernexposed to high heat at the time of re-entry. Thernmain wings, necessary for its safe flight, arernoverused and it is unavoidable to impair itsrnflying performance at the time of thernreutilization in the present reutilizationrncircumstance. A passenger airplane has a designrnconcept to protect its main wings even by thernseparation of engine at pylon and this designrnconcept should be applied to a space shuttle asrnwell.rnTherefore, a safety with disposing only mainrnwings in consideration of reutilizing bothrnairframe and main wings in the presentrncircumstance is examined from a viewpoint of arnpilot for a fixed-wing airplane.rnThe existence of wheel compartment doors atrnthe bottom of heat-exposed airframe alsornincreases a risk. For this matter, I would like tornsuggest to implement the attachment andrndetachment process for the above mentionedrnmain wings at a place as shipbuilding yard afterrndesigning a structure that a shuttle can land in arnlarge river without landing wheels. I alsornconsidered to avoid the cost increase byrnutilizing the existing reliable parts and structurernof the shuttle without any modifications.