Space Shuttle Family: Shuttle Ⅱ, Mini Shuttle, and Micro Shuttles

摘要

The Mini Shuttle concept of downsizing the Space Shuttle and replacing liquid hydrogen with kerosene for fuel may be extended to a set of even smaller Micro Shuttles that could have civil, commercial, and military applications. The Mini and Micro Shuttles, together with the Shuttle Ⅱ (a full-size, second-generation Space Shuttle), comprise the Space Shuttle family. A preliminary analysis indicates that a broad range of payload could be accommodated by the semireusable launch vehicles in this family. Further analysis should be conducted to evaluate the potential lowering of launch costs in using such a space transportation system.