摘要: |
This report reviews major events relating to U.S. commercial space transportation in 2004. Current and planned U.S. commercial and commercially oriented activities are showcased. The Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA/AST), first published the U.S. Commercial Space Transportation Developments and Concepts: Vehicles, Technologies, and Spaceports in 1998. That edition focused exclusively on RLVs. In addition to reviewing RLVs, this report addresses expendable launch vehicles (ELVs), propulsion technologies, and launch and reentry sites - commonly referred to as spaceports. Space transportation programs and projects that will impact and support the development of commercial space activities and applications are also reviewed. |