Space Transportation on pikpuk
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (AST)
Big Dumb Boosters Can we build them ?
Reducing the cost for space launches is an accepted necessity. The question is, how.
Long Space Transportation Tethers
The MOONCABLE PROJECT, a captive form of tensile structure, or tether, attached to the surface of the lunar body and supported by an adjacent gravitational well such as the Earth's.
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
Marshall is the leading the development of advanced earth-to-orbit and space propulsion systems and technologies. Marshall is responsible for implementing NASA's microgravity and low gravity research. Marshall manages commercial space centers to allow private industries to exploit the benefits of space-based research.
Nuclear Propulsion, Getting More Miles Per Gallon
For those who are interested in the exploration and development of space by humans, nuclear propulsion technology is a very attractive option. Why? Compared with the best chemical rockets, nuclear propulsion systems (NPS's) are more reliable and flexible for long-distance missions, and can achieve a desired space mission at a lower cost.
NUCLEAR PULSE ROCKET
Better utilization of the energy yield from the fission reaction is possible with the nuclear pulse concept, where much higher effective exhaust temperatures are possible due to the short interaction time of the propellant with the structure of the vehicle.
ORION Nuclear Pulse Vehicle
This site is just to show a few of the pieces of equipment and designs produced for the ORION project, back in the late '50's early '60's.
physics of rocket systems with separated energy and propellant
This describes the physics of rocket systems where the energy comes from one source and the propellant comes from another. Nuclear thermal rockets using liquid hydrogen propellant and electric ion engines are examples of this kind of rocket system.
Project Orion: Its Life, Death, and Possible Rebirth
Project Orion was a space vehicle propulsion system that depended on exploding atomic bombs roughly two hundred feet behind the vehicle. The seeming absurdity of this idea is one of the reasons why Orion failed; yet, many prominent physicists worked on the concept and were convinced that it could be made practical.
Providers of Spacecraft and Support Services from Earth Orbit to the Moon and Beyond...
The future is finally here. The commercial marketplace is now the most efficient and practical way to discover and reap the benefits of space.
SPACE TECHNOLOGY: MYTH AND PROMISE
Scientists have a special role to play to educate the public and decision makers if we are to make safer and more rewarding public choices in our use of space.
Space Transportation
NASA is the nation's leader in developing cutting edge technologies for Space Transportation Systems, Aeronautics and Space Science. NASA's technologies will open the space frontier by paving a Highway to Space.
SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
The Space Shuttle is developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA coordinates and manages the Space Transportation System.
The Space Transportation Association
The Space Transportation Association (STA) represents the interests of organizations and people who are engaged in developing, building, operating, and using space transportation vehicles, systems, and services to provide reliable, economical, safe, and routine access to space for private users and government, civil, and military users.
Other interesting pikpuk topics from the frontiers of science