a Horizontal Take-Off and Landing Satellite Launcher or Aerospace Plane (hotol)
Abstract
An assessment is made of the technology readiness and typical mission profile of a Horizontal Takeoof and Landing (HOTOL) single-stage satellite launch vehicle for 1990s deployment. HOTOL would employ H2-fueled air-breathing propulsion for the first stage of its ascent to low earth orbit through the lower portions of the atmosphere; it would then switch to H2-fueled rocket engines using liquid oxygen from internal tanks for exoatmospheric flight and orbit insertion. Mission cost comparisons are made with alternative launch vehicle design options. HOTOL is approximately the same size as the Concorde SST, and will weigh so much less than the current Space Shuttle as to significantly reduce reentry speeds and temperatures, obviating ceramic insulation systems for the primary structure.
- Publication:
-
Journal of the British Interplanetary Society
- Pub Date:
- September 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985JBIS...38..387C
- Keywords:
-
- Aerospace Planes;
- Horizontal Spacecraft Landing;
- Launch Vehicles;
- Recoverable Spacecraft;
- Spacecraft Design;
- Spacecraft Launching;
- Ariane Launch Vehicle;
- Cost Analysis;
- Space Shuttles;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles