Concepts of Operations for a Reusable Launch Space Vehicle

<p>The US military must be prepared to take advantage of reusable launch vehicles should the NASA-led effort to develop an RLV demonstrator prove successful. The focus of this research was an explanation of how the US military could use RLVs by describing and analyzing two concepts of operations. Four assumptions which guided the research are worthy of mention. First the estimate that RLV technology will become operationally feasible by 2012 is reasonable. Second a fiscally constrained environment will continue. Third the US government will continue to support growth and development of the US commercial spacelift industry and encourage dual-use or perhaps triple-use of related facilities and systems. Fourth the US Government's national security strategy will continue to emphasize international leadership and engagement to further its political economic and security objectives.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>