1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910254201603321

Autore

McConnell Brian

Titolo

A Design for a Reusable Water-Based Spacecraft Known as the Spacecoach / / by Brian McConnell, Alexander Tolley

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2016

ISBN

3-319-22677-0

Edizione

[1st ed. 2016.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (112 p.)

Collana

SpringerBriefs in Space Development, , 2191-8171

Disciplina

629.44

Soggetti

Aerospace engineering

Astronautics

Space sciences

Aerospace Technology and Astronautics

Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics)

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Includes index.

Nota di contenuto

Introduction -- Water -- Propulsion -- Power Plants -- Life Support, Materials And Artificial Gravity -- Upgradability -- Landers -- Safety and Autonomy -- Development And Construction Timeline -- A Stagecoach Reference Design -- Mission Templates -- Mars, Venus, Mercury -- A Vision of the Future -- Research Priorities -- Equations and Supporting Data -- Delta V Values and Maps For Interesting Routes -- Modeling Mission Economics -- Conclusion.

Sommario/riassunto

 Based on components already in existence, this manual details a reference design for an interplanetary spacecraft that is simple, durable, fully reusable and comprised mostly of water. Using such an accessible material leads to a spacecraft architecture that is radically simpler, safer and cheaper than conventional capsule based designs. If developed, the potential affordability of the design will substantially open all of the inner solar system to human exploration. A spacecraft that is comprised mostly of water will be much more like a living cell or a terrarium than a conventional rocket and capsule design. It will use water for many purposes before it is superheated in electric engines for propulsion, purposes which include radiation shielding, heat



management, basic life support, crew consumption and comfort. The authors coined the term "spacecoaches" to describe them, as an allusion to the Prairie Schooners of the Old West, which were simple, rugged, and could live off the land.