Adaptability of STS avionics to an unmanned shuttle derive reusable launch system

The Space Transportation System (STS) is now operational and a new evolution of space activities is emerging. The STS has tremendous growth potential utilizing existing flight elements, production capacity, and launch operations. This paper describes this growth potential through the application of STS components to an unmanned, shuttle derived, reusable launch system. Emphasis is placed on the adaptability of the STS avionics to the reusable launch vehicle although other ongoing space programs were investigated, e.g., Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) and Multimission Modular Spacecraft (MMS).