Space Transportation System: Innovative Technologies

Space transportation system (STS) refers to a partly reusable rocket-launched vehicle, which is designed to travel into orbit throughout the Earth. It is utilized for transporting individuals and cargo to and from orbiting spacecraft and for gliding back to the Earth's surface. STS are critical for transferring satellites from the Earth and installing them in certain orbits based on the requirements. It is also capable of rendezvousing with an orbiting spacecraft, which allows the astronauts to board, resupply, service, and return to Earth. There exist limitations in current technologies, due to which STSs are configured in multiple stages and vehicle subsystems are completely automatic and autonomous. In order to lower the cost of launching satellites with an STS, it needs to deliver the greatest payload mass into the prescribed orbit with extreme precision. The vehicle must be extremely durable, which places competing demands on the design of each subsystem. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of space transportation system which will be crucial for future research. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.