The Case against Horizontal Takeoff Launch Vehicles

摘要

This paper presents the results of numerous space launch vehicle studies which include both horizontal and vertical launch systems. It was found that horizontal launch vehicles faired-poorly when compared with vertical launch systems in almost all measures of performance. Measures of performance included gross weight, empty weight, wetted area, cost, risk, maintenance, and turn time. Ever effort was made to fairly evaluate all designs with consistent methodology. The reasons for the horizontal launch vehicles' poor showing are explained and quantified.