HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- NASA has a vision of the future -- specifically, how shuttle upgrades, X-craft and science fiction-like propulsion concepts will change space travel and exploration well into the next century.
Marshall Space Flight Center officials debuted the Integrated Space Transportation Plan during Space Transportation Day 99 on Wednesday.
The plan outlines a pathway to four generations of spacecraft that could lead to regular passenger service by the year 2040, as well as the reduction of launch costs to $100 per pound.
Portions of the plan, particularly budgetary and private investment options, have yet to be released while political details are worked out in Washington, D.C.
"We must make investments today for safe, routine space travel for future generations," said Dr. Row Rogacki, director of the Space Transportation Directorate at Marshall.
The space agencys efforts to commercialize space, mandated by Congress, seemed to be another theme of the event.
"We have to act like customers and were here to help," said Marshalls director, Art Stephenson. "We no longer do all the prime work. We have to partner with industry."
NASAs plans include transferring technology and promoting competition for reusable launch vehicles.
The plans cornerstone is to further development of reusable launch vehicles, led by the current X-33 and X-34 projects. NASA officials said they hope to have second generation launch vehicles flying by 2010.
Dennis Smith, director of the Program Planning and Development Office at Marshall said the second generation could come from three options: a new reusable launch vehicle, a system derived from the current space shuttle, or an upgraded shuttle.
Smith said one of the goals is to make space travel more reliable and safe, which would help commerce.
"Safety is a key factor for us and industry," he said. "Insurance rates are driven by safety and reliability."
Shuttle upgrades, including a crew escape module, improved solid fuel boosters or liquid-fueled ones are also being considered.
Liquid-fueled boosters for the shuttle could reduce annual flight costs by $400 million, if seven or eight flights are made per year, said Dr. Terry Greenwood of Marshall. Shuttle payloads could increase as liquid boosters are used more frequently. These have a more powerful thrust than solid boosters.
Beyond the next few generations of launch vehicles, researchers are working on exotic fuels, matter-antimatter engines and beamed microwaves as future sources of propulsion.
Researchers at Marshall are experimenting with a magnetic levitation rail system as a way to give launch vehicles a boost into orbit. Currently a 50-foot test model exists at Marshall, but there are plans to build a mile-long version at Kennedy Space Center.
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