Space flight in the 21 st century A brief look at developments in space that could herald a new era...

Space flight in the 21st century

A brief look at developments in A brief look at developments in space that could herald a new era space that could herald a new era

in manned space flight.in manned space flight.

Compiled byAndy Hill

Introduction.

No one realised that whenNo one realised that whenthe Apollo 17 lunar landerthe Apollo 17 lunar landerlifted off of the moon’slifted off of the moon’ssurface on 14surface on 14thth Dec 1972 Dec 1972 it would be more than 30it would be more than 30years before anyoneyears before anyonereturned.returned.

Once the race to the moonOnce the race to the moonhad been won by Americahad been won by Americathere was little politicalthere was little politicalsupport for furthersupport for furtherexpensive moon landings expensive moon landings and with the general public and with the general public becoming bored, the whole program was eventually becoming bored, the whole program was eventually scrapped.scrapped.

The remaining Saturn V rockets, scheduled for future Apollo The remaining Saturn V rockets, scheduled for future Apollo flights, were decommissioned and put on display for flights, were decommissioned and put on display for tourists to marvel at.tourists to marvel at.

Eugene Cernan in Apollo 17 Moon buggy with Lunar Module

Introduction.

Once the American space station (SkyLab) fell to earth on Once the American space station (SkyLab) fell to earth on 1111thth July 1979 after just over 6 years in orbit, American July 1979 after just over 6 years in orbit, American astronauts could only make short duration flights aboard astronauts could only make short duration flights aboard the space shuttle.the space shuttle.

This changed on 14This changed on 14thth March 1995 when Norman Thagard March 1995 when Norman Thagard made it into space aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to made it into space aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to spend 115 days on the spend 115 days on the Russian space station Mir. Russian space station Mir. He eventually returned He eventually returned aboard an American space aboard an American space shuttle (STS-71) which shuttle (STS-71) which was the first to dock with was the first to dock with the station.the station.

All this marked a new eraAll this marked a new erain cooperation betweenin cooperation betweenthe former rivals whichthe former rivals whichfinally led to the idea of the finally led to the idea of the international Space Station.international Space Station. Artist’s picture of SkyLab

Introduction.

Mir allowed America to continue to prepare for future space Mir allowed America to continue to prepare for future space exploration without the huge capital investment required to exploration without the huge capital investment required to place a new station in orbit themselves.place a new station in orbit themselves.

The Russian space program had been strapped for cash since The Russian space program had been strapped for cash since the fall of the Soviet Union and American money allowed them the fall of the Soviet Union and American money allowed them to continue to operate the station on a shoe string.to continue to operate the station on a shoe string.

NASA were not the only NASA were not the only space agency to cooperate space agency to cooperate with the Russians, ESA with the Russians, ESA also bought time aboard also bought time aboard Mir and passage to and Mir and passage to and from it for their astronauts.from it for their astronauts.

Mir fell back to Earth on 23Mir fell back to Earth on 23rdrd March 2001 but by then itMarch 2001 but by then itwas possible to permanentlywas possible to permanentlystation astronauts on thestation astronauts on theinternational space station. international space station.

Mir with space shuttle docked

Introduction.

The international space station The international space station has been set with problems has been set with problems almost from the start. Now more almost from the start. Now more than 2 years behind schedule due than 2 years behind schedule due to the grounding of the shuttle to the grounding of the shuttle fleet it will now not be finished fleet it will now not be finished before 2010.before 2010.

You may think that all this doesn’t You may think that all this doesn’t bode well for more investment in bode well for more investment in space but nothing is further from space but nothing is further from the truth.the truth.

Not since the the 1960s has there Not since the the 1960s has there been so much interest in space been so much interest in space exploration and manned space exploration and manned space flight.flight.

After decades of budget cuts and After decades of budget cuts and cancelled projects NASA has a cancelled projects NASA has a new direction. new direction. ISS photo taken in Aril 2001

A new direction.

President Bush has given NASA President Bush has given NASA specific objectives to achieve in aspecific objectives to achieve in arealistic time frame.realistic time frame.

NASA previously worked on NASA previously worked on numerous projects without an numerous projects without an underlying goal, now it is focused underlying goal, now it is focused on space exploration and on space exploration and extending the human frontier.extending the human frontier.

Over the next 2 decades NASA Over the next 2 decades NASA will:will: Retire the space shuttle by 2010 and replace it with a Retire the space shuttle by 2010 and replace it with a

Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) able to operate beyond Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) able to operate beyond Earth orbit.Earth orbit.

Return to the Moon and establish a permanent manned Return to the Moon and establish a permanent manned base there.base there.

Send a manned mission to Mars.Send a manned mission to Mars. Develop new propulsion methods for space craft.Develop new propulsion methods for space craft.

George W Bush

A new direction.

America has decided to make this commitment for a number America has decided to make this commitment for a number of reasons, most of which have very little to do with space of reasons, most of which have very little to do with space exploration: exploration: While NASA has sat back on its While NASA has sat back on its

laurels, the technology that took laurels, the technology that took them to the Moon is now freely them to the Moon is now freely available to the rest of the world available to the rest of the world and America sees its position as and America sees its position as the pre-eminent space faring the pre-eminent space faring nation possibly under threat.nation possibly under threat.

America is suffering a skills America is suffering a skills shortage in science and shortage in science and engineering and is trying to engineering and is trying to encourage its youth into these encourage its youth into these professions.professions.

The space program is a means ofThe space program is a means ofdiverting American’s attentiondiverting American’s attentionfrom an unpopular foreign policy. from an unpopular foreign policy. Apollo 11 Launch

NASA Objectives

Develop a new Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) capable of Develop a new Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) capable of travelling beyond earth orbit to replace the shuttle which will travelling beyond earth orbit to replace the shuttle which will retire once the International Space station is complete in retire once the International Space station is complete in 2010.2010.

Operate a manned mission to the Moon no later than 2020. Operate a manned mission to the Moon no later than 2020. Set up a permanent base on the Moon by 2014 to act as a test Set up a permanent base on the Moon by 2014 to act as a test

bed for technologies to be used in a future Mars mission.bed for technologies to be used in a future Mars mission. Develop new forms of power to be used on spacecraft, Develop new forms of power to be used on spacecraft,

particularly small light weight nuclear reactors (Project particularly small light weight nuclear reactors (Project Prometheus).Prometheus).

Develop more efficient engines, making it possible for Develop more efficient engines, making it possible for spacecraft to travel faster and further. spacecraft to travel faster and further.

Send a sample return mission to Mars within the next decade Send a sample return mission to Mars within the next decade to be followed by a future manned mission.to be followed by a future manned mission.

Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV)

NASA wants to replace the aging shuttle fleet with a new NASA wants to replace the aging shuttle fleet with a new reusable spacecraft having the ability of operating beyond reusable spacecraft having the ability of operating beyond low Earth orbit. Previous attempts at this have failed because low Earth orbit. Previous attempts at this have failed because of financial or technical concerns where planned successors of financial or technical concerns where planned successors have been over ambitiously reliant upon engineering break have been over ambitiously reliant upon engineering break throughs that did not materialise.throughs that did not materialise.

The current thinking is that the next The current thinking is that the next manned spacecraft should not require manned spacecraft should not require huge jumps in technology but smallerhuge jumps in technology but smalleradvances over a short time span.advances over a short time span.

Main problems associated with humansMain problems associated with humanstravelling beyond Earth orbit are: travelling beyond Earth orbit are: Propulsion systems.Propulsion systems. Life Support systems.Life Support systems. Radiation Protection.Radiation Protection. Bone and Muscle Loss.Bone and Muscle Loss.

DC-XA experimental launch vehicle.


Current front runners for engines operating in space are Ion Current front runners for engines operating in space are Ion propulsion and Thermal Nuclear drives.propulsion and Thermal Nuclear drives.

Although Ion engines are much more efficient than current Although Ion engines are much more efficient than current chemical rocket due to their very fast propellant velocities, chemical rocket due to their very fast propellant velocities, the force they exert is to small to be used on a manned the force they exert is to small to be used on a manned spacecraft. It is unlikely that even with the increase in spacecraft. It is unlikely that even with the increase in available power afforded by a small nuclear reactor, that the available power afforded by a small nuclear reactor, that the quantity of propellant expelled would be large enough to be quantity of propellant expelled would be large enough to be used on a manned spacecraft.used on a manned spacecraft.

Thermal Nuclear engines heat up theThermal Nuclear engines heat up thepropellant (normally Hydrogen) until it propellant (normally Hydrogen) until it becomes a plasma which is expelled atbecomes a plasma which is expelled atvelocities up to 40 times that of currentvelocities up to 40 times that of currentchemical rockets. The technology has chemical rockets. The technology has been around since the 60s but it is been around since the 60s but it is unlikely to be used as a launch engine unlikely to be used as a launch engine due to the use of a Nuclear Reactor.due to the use of a Nuclear Reactor. Ion engine test


American companies have bought American companies have bought Russian developed RD-180 rocket Russian developed RD-180 rocket engines that are 25% more efficient engines that are 25% more efficient than the current ones used on than the current ones used on American launchers, it is likely to be a American launchers, it is likely to be a development of these that will power development of these that will power any future CEV (at least into orbit).any future CEV (at least into orbit).

The shuttle’s engines have a thrust of The shuttle’s engines have a thrust of 375klb compared to the RD-180’s 375klb compared to the RD-180’s 860klb (Saturn V F1 motors had a 860klb (Saturn V F1 motors had a thrust of 1.5Mlb).thrust of 1.5Mlb).

A manned moon mission would be A manned moon mission would be relatively easy using existing relatively easy using existing technology, but the 7 month journey technology, but the 7 month journey of a Mars mission would pose serious of a Mars mission would pose serious obstacles:- both technically and obstacles:- both technically and physically on the crew.physically on the crew.

X-38 Crew return Vehicle

X-37 Orbital Space plane

ESA – Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV)

ESA is developing the ATV, a craft ESA is developing the ATV, a craft designed to periodically service and designed to periodically service and re-supply the ISS, starting in Autumn re-supply the ISS, starting in Autumn 2005.2005.

Its propulsion system will be used to Its propulsion system will be used to periodically boost the ISS in orbit.periodically boost the ISS in orbit.

About once a year the 10m long 4.5m About once a year the 10m long 4.5m diameter ATV will fly unmanned and diameter ATV will fly unmanned and automatically dock with the ISS. The ATV automatically dock with the ISS. The ATV can remain docked for up to six months can remain docked for up to six months before being loaded with waste and then before being loaded with waste and then disposed of in a destructive re-entry. disposed of in a destructive re-entry.

The ATV will be launched on a modified The ATV will be launched on a modified Ariane-5 rocket capable of delivering the Ariane-5 rocket capable of delivering the ATV’s 21 tons mass into low Earth orbit.ATV’s 21 tons mass into low Earth orbit.

ATV Cutaway drawing

Ariane 5 Launch

ESA – Phoenix Space Plane

ESA in collaboration with ESA in collaboration with EADS is developing a reusable EADS is developing a reusable space plane called Phoenix to space plane called Phoenix to ferry their own astronauts to ferry their own astronauts to and from the ISS.and from the ISS.

This will allow them to be less This will allow them to be less reliant on NASA and the reliant on NASA and the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

It has already built and It has already built and flown a 1/6flown a 1/6thth scale scale demonstration vehicle demonstration vehicle capable of being remotely capable of being remotely piloted to test the concept.piloted to test the concept.

If all goes to plan a full If all goes to plan a full scale vehicle will be flown scale vehicle will be flown some time in 2007.some time in 2007.

Phoenix taxiing on runway

Phoenix gliding during a recent drop test.

Chinese Space Agency – First Steps

China has thrown its hat into the ring and China has thrown its hat into the ring and declared itself a creditable space nation declared itself a creditable space nation by being only the 3by being only the 3rdrd country capable of country capable of independently putting a man into space. independently putting a man into space.

Further manned missions are Further manned missions are scheduled with multiple crews, some scheduled with multiple crews, some of which will be women and a future of which will be women and a future space station is also planned.space station is also planned.

Lt. Col. Yang Liwei

Shenzhou 5 lifts off from JiuQuan in China’s Gansu Province.

Their first Their first “taikonaut”, Lt. Col. “taikonaut”, Lt. Col. Yang Liwei, orbited Yang Liwei, orbited the Earth a total of 14 the Earth a total of 14 times over a 21 hour times over a 21 hour period on 15period on 15thth October 2003October 2003

X-Prize Organisation

The X-prize organisation is a private The X-prize organisation is a private group set up to encourage the group set up to encourage the commercialisation of space. It commercialisation of space. It manages an international manages an international competition where the participants competition where the participants have to build and launch a privately have to build and launch a privately funded spacecraft capable of funded spacecraft capable of attaining an altitude of 100km with 3 attaining an altitude of 100km with 3 people on board. This feat then has people on board. This feat then has to be repeated within a 2 week to be repeated within a 2 week period using the same spacecraft. period using the same spacecraft. The winner of the competition The winner of the competition receives a $10 million prize.receives a $10 million prize.

To date 26 groups from 7 different countries have registered To date 26 groups from 7 different countries have registered and 12 have either flown spacecraft or tested rocket engines and 12 have either flown spacecraft or tested rocket engines in preparation for flight.in preparation for flight.

Nova Rocket produced by the UK’s Starchaser Industries

X-Prize Organisation

The front runner in the The front runner in the competition at the moment competition at the moment appears to be SpaceShipOne appears to be SpaceShipOne built by the US company built by the US company Scaled Composites which Scaled Composites which achieved an altitude of achieved an altitude of 211,400 feet (64km Approx) 211,400 feet (64km Approx) on its third powered flight.on its third powered flight.

SpaceShip One built by US company Scaled Composites.

It is thought that the prize will be It is thought that the prize will be won this summer by one of the won this summer by one of the teams but time is running out as teams but time is running out as the prize money will be the prize money will be withdrawn on 1withdrawn on 1stst January 2005. January 2005.

Canadian Arrow produced by the company of the same name.

Once the X-Prize is won what next for private industry?Once the X-Prize is won what next for private industry? NASA has already stated its support of further NASA has already stated its support of further

competitions to promote American civil space programs competitions to promote American civil space programs and will work with the X-prize organisation on future and will work with the X-prize organisation on future projects.projects.

NASA’s Centennial Challenges prize program will establish NASA’s Centennial Challenges prize program will establish set goals for private industry to achieve over the next few set goals for private industry to achieve over the next few years with financial rewards going to winners.years with financial rewards going to winners.

Unlike the current competition it will be open to only US Unlike the current competition it will be open to only US entrants and will not exclusively focus on space flight but entrants and will not exclusively focus on space flight but will also award prizes for achieving will also award prizes for achieving technological advances in space technological advances in space related fields like material sciences.related fields like material sciences.

Advances in composite materials, Advances in composite materials, nano-technology and more nano-technology and more efficient propulsion systemsefficient propulsion systemsare likely candidates for prizes. are likely candidates for prizes.

Future Space Developments

Nano-tube made from Carbon atoms.


It is hoped that the current interest in space will grow and It is hoped that the current interest in space will grow and spawn a civil space industry which does not rely on spawn a civil space industry which does not rely on government contracts to survive.government contracts to survive.

At present Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth are the only At present Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth are the only Space tourists to have taken a ride into orbit aboard the Space tourists to have taken a ride into orbit aboard the International Space Station, for which they paid $20M to the International Space Station, for which they paid $20M to the Russian space agency for a 10 day stay.Russian space agency for a 10 day stay.

This will change once the cost of space travel has reduced This will change once the cost of space travel has reduced to a few tens of thousand of dollars where ordinary people to a few tens of thousand of dollars where ordinary people can afford a sub-orbital pleasure flight.can afford a sub-orbital pleasure flight.

Tourists may even have the opportunity Tourists may even have the opportunity to stay in orbiting space hotels if to stay in orbiting space hotels if Bigelow Aerospace has its way. Next Bigelow Aerospace has its way. Next year they launch a prototype inflatable year they launch a prototype inflatable habitat, Genesis Pathfinder, which they habitat, Genesis Pathfinder, which they will use as a test bed for a future privatewill use as a test bed for a future privatehotel and research centre.hotel and research centre.

Dennis Tito after his return to Earth.


Space tourism may become a multi-billion dollar industry Space tourism may become a multi-billion dollar industry over the next few decades if Bigelow Aerospace, who have over the next few decades if Bigelow Aerospace, who have committed $500M of their own money, and other companies committed $500M of their own money, and other companies like it have their way.like it have their way.

Space Island Group (SIG) are proposing to construct huge Space Island Group (SIG) are proposing to construct huge commercial space stations from spent shuttle fuel tanks. commercial space stations from spent shuttle fuel tanks. You may think the idea is something out of science fiction, You may think the idea is something out of science fiction, but NASA itself considered the but NASA itself considered the possibility a few years ago and possibility a few years ago and concluded that it was feasible concluded that it was feasible with only a couple of minor with only a couple of minor changes to the fuel tanks.changes to the fuel tanks.

Rumour is rife within the space Rumour is rife within the space community about possible community about possible ventures, but as yet nothingventures, but as yet nothinghas made it into orbit. has made it into orbit. SIG’s proposed commercial space

station.

Acknowledgements I’d like to thank the following for their contributions to this I’d like to thank the following for their contributions to this

presentation.presentation.

National Aeronautics and Space National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)Administration (NASA)

European Space Agency (ESA)European Space Agency (ESA)

X-Prize Foundation.X-Prize Foundation. Space.comSpace.com Space Island GroupSpace Island Group Bigelow Aerospace.Bigelow Aerospace.

Space flight in the 21 st century A brief look at developments in space that could herald a new era...

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