Human Spaceflight and Hypersonic Re-entry Vehicles: Looking Backward to Step Forward

摘要

The short term solution of a capsule-like return vehicle convinced most nations to choose ballistic or semi-ballistic vehicles adopted for long time, with all the operational constraints and limitations that this choice may bring. An example is the reusable Dragon commercial cap- sule, developed by SpaceX, successfully launched to the ISS and recov- ered from orbit on 25 May 2012. Exploitation of aerodynamic lift forces suggests new and more comfortable ways of crossing the atmosphere. The development of a winged vehicle as a crew return system appears to be the most appealing breakthrough in terms of safety, comfort, ex- penses and flexibility.