The Aerospace Vehicle of the Future

Abstract

Although the first successful orbital flight occurred over 40 years ago, the high-price of launch remains a significant barrier to the development of all space activities. The manufacturing costs of large, complex systems will always remain high, setting a lower limit on the affordability of expendable launch vehicles. Only a fully-reusable transportation system can dramatically reduce the cost of access to space. Although the initial cost of such a system is greater than for expendable vehicles of equivalent performance, the additional development budget can be recouped after only a small number of flights. The vehicle’s reusability also drives reliability. Additional costs for more reliable systems are justified by flying the vehicle many times.

Kis tier Aerospace Corporation was formed to realize the promise of reusability. Kis tier is developing the K-l, the world’s first fully-reusable aerospace vehicle, designed for up to 100 flights. The two stages of the K-l both return to their launch site using parachutes and airbags. Each vehicle requires only minimal processing and refurbishment between successive launches. Kistler will maintain a fleet of K-l vehicles capable of handling a high launch rate for routine access to space. The K-l program is very different from other existing reusable launch vehicle development programs. Most importantly, the K-l is not a technology development program. The K-l relies solely on existing technologies proven in other successful aerospace programs. This reduces development cost, development time, and program risk. Kistler is also an entirely commercial venture with no government funding. This has led Kistler to develop a market-driven service at an affordable price. Kistler has raised over $ 500 million for the K-l program, and plans to commence a full-flight test program in the near future from its dedicated launch site in Woomera, Australia. The K-l is a medium- lift launch vehicle, designed to service a wide range of space missions in low Earth orbit and beyond. Kistler expects that the K-l’s low price, flexibility and reliability will quickly enable it to capture a dominant market share in the medium and small-lift market once it enters commercial service. Initially, expendable launch vehicles will still be required to launch large pay loads beyond the capability of the K-l. However, Kistler expects that the dramatic cost-savings offered by the K-l will drive satellite operators and manufacturers towards smaller payloads. The aerospace vehicle of the future will clearly be reusable, and Kistler expects that the K-l will be at the forefront of this revolution.