Space Launch Initiative
Encyclopedia
The Space Launch Initiative was a NASA
and U.S. Department of Defense joint research and technology project to determine the requirements to meet all the nation’s hypersonics, space launch and space technology needs. The program began with the award of reusable launch vehicle study contracts in 2000.
The primary goal of this research was to increase safety and reliability and to reduce overall costs associated with building, flying and maintaining the nation’s next generation of space launch vehicles. NASA anticipated that these advances would revitalize the nation’s space transportation capabilities, and dramatically improve NASA’s ability to conduct science and exploration missions in space.|This program was ended with the cancellation of the X-33 and X-34 and the conclusion of the X-43 programs.|NASA changed its focus to Constellation Program.
developed a plan for the RS-84 rocket engine. It would have been the first reusable, Staged combustion cycle
, liquid rocket
engine produced by the US to use a hydrocarbon fuel. In contrast, the Soviet Union developed the RD-170
reusable staged combustion hydrocarbon engine for the Energia
rocket in the 1980s.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
and U.S. Department of Defense joint research and technology project to determine the requirements to meet all the nation’s hypersonics, space launch and space technology needs. The program began with the award of reusable launch vehicle study contracts in 2000.
The primary goal of this research was to increase safety and reliability and to reduce overall costs associated with building, flying and maintaining the nation’s next generation of space launch vehicles. NASA anticipated that these advances would revitalize the nation’s space transportation capabilities, and dramatically improve NASA’s ability to conduct science and exploration missions in space.|This program was ended with the cancellation of the X-33 and X-34 and the conclusion of the X-43 programs.|NASA changed its focus to Constellation Program.
RS-84 rocket engine
As part of the Space Launch Initiative, RocketdyneRocketdyne
Rocketdyne was a Rocket engine design and production company headquartered in Canoga Park, California, United States. The company was related to North American Aviation for most of its history. NAA merged with Rockwell International, which was then bought by Boeing in December, 1996...
developed a plan for the RS-84 rocket engine. It would have been the first reusable, Staged combustion cycle
Staged combustion cycle (rocket)
The staged combustion cycle, also called topping cycle or pre-burner cycle, is a thermodynamic cycle of bipropellant rocket engines. Some of the propellant is burned in a pre-burner and the resulting hot gas is used to power the engine's turbines and pumps...
, liquid rocket
Liquid rocket
A liquid-propellant rocket or a liquid rocket is a rocket engine that uses propellants in liquid form. Liquids are desirable because their reasonably high density allows the volume of the propellant tanks to be relatively low, and it is possible to use lightweight pumps to pump the propellant from...
engine produced by the US to use a hydrocarbon fuel. In contrast, the Soviet Union developed the RD-170
RD-170 (rocket engine)
The RD-170 is the world's most powerful liquid-fuel rocket engine, designed and produced in the USSR by NPO Energomash for use with Energia launch vehicle...
reusable staged combustion hydrocarbon engine for the Energia
Energia
Energia was a Soviet rocket that was designed by NPO Energia to serve as a heavy-lift expendable launch system as well as a booster for the Buran spacecraft. Control system main developer enterprise was the NPO "Electropribor"...
rocket in the 1980s.
External links
- |"RS-84" Encyclopedia Astronautica
- RS-84 Engine Passes Preliminary Design Milestone Space Daily, Jul 16, 2003
- Boeing Tests Future Rocket Engine Component to Record Levels Space Daily, Dec. 11, 2003
- NASA FY 2004 operating plan - page 6, cancellation of RS-84