National security space launch report
By: the congressionally mandated National Security Space Launch Requirements Panel ; [Forrest McCartney ... et al.].
Contributors: McCartney, Forrest.; United States. Dept. of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense.; National Defense Research Institute (U.S.); United States. National Security Space Launch Requirements Panel.
Series: Rand Corporation monograph series
Publisher: RAND, National Defense Research Institute; Rand Corp
Published: 2006
Place of publication: Santa Monica, CA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 82
Subjects: United States. -- Dept. of Defense; Astronautics and state -- United States.; Astronautics, Military -- United States.; National security -- United States.; Launch vehicles (Astronautics) -- United States.
Description: In 1994, the National Space Transportation Policy laid the framework for appropriate government agencies to maintain strong launch systems and infrastructure while modernizing space transportation capabilities and encouraging cost reductions. More than a decade later, through combined Department of Defense (DoD) and industrial investment, the two Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) families of U.S. rockets (Atlas V and Delta IV) have proved to be maturing, reliable state-of-the-art technologies. In 2004, Congress directed the Secretary of Defense to establish a panel of experts with extensive space launch and operations background to address the future National Security Space launch requirements and the means of meeting those requirements. DoD selected RAND to facilitate and support this panel in its deliberations between May 2005 and May 2006. This report analyzes the National Security Space (NSS) Launch Requirements Panel's major findings and recommendations. In short, the Panel concludes that, because basic rocketry principles, use of chemically derived thrust, and multiple expendable stages seem certain to remain the design of choice for operational space launch vehicles, the EELV can satisfy all known and projected NSS requirements through 2020.
Notes: "MG-503-OSD"--P. [4] of cover.

"Prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-82).