Shuttle evolution - Improved aft propulsion system

Abstract

This paper analyzes performance improvements for a typical Space Shuttle manifest in the 1990s and Shuttle high altitude delivery/reboost missions for several improved Orbital Maneuvering Subsystem (OMS) configurations. Each proposed new OMS configuration is briefly described, and performance calculations for each are presented. The expected cost and implementation issues are addressed and compared, yielding a list of possible alternatives and their respective enhancement to the Shuttle capabilities.