Space Flight: Basic Requirements
Space Flight Basic requirements for space launchers Supporting theory Enabling technology Inspired leadership
Space Flight Requirements – reaching orbit Supporting theory Orbital mechanics Launch dynamics Supersonic and hypersonic aerodynamics Staging Stable, high-efficiency rocket engine combustion Guidance & control Lots of other details!
Space Flight Requirements – reaching orbit Enabling technology Engine High efficiency propellants High-pressure, high-flow, low-weight pumps Strong, high-temperature materials for high-thrust engines Combustion chamber and nozzle cooling Structures Low-weight and high-temp materials for components and structures Flight control Active gyro/inertial stabilization Electronic sensors Electromechanical/hydraulic controls Supersonic wind tunnel testing
Space Flight Requirements – reaching orbit Inspired leadership Robert Goddard (engineer, U.S.) Wernher von Braun (engineer, Germany) Sergi Korolev (engineer, USSR)
Space Flight Advances Space research, space technology, and space exploration has been accelerated in the past by: Conflict (WW-II, Cold War) Competition (Space Race, Race to the Moon) Desire to expand/collaborate (International Space Station, Cassini) Inspired leadership Goddard Von Braun Korolev
Future Space Flight Advances Conflict? Competition? Desire to expand/collaborate? Inspired leadership?