MULTI-ROLE CAPSULES: FULFILLING THEIR POTENTIAL

No national programme has undertaken either the acquisition or operation of more than one personnel transportation system at one time. Only capsules can fulfil all the roles required for complete and sustained in-orbit operations so a capsule is the best approach. However when combined with an expendable launch system safety concerns limit the extent to which a capsule can be used to deliver crews to orbit. It follows that a capsule should be designed to maximise its multi-role capability with an emphasis on roles other than crew delivery (which should be undertaken by reusable systems). It is shown that with technology advances since the 1960s, capsules can be made with considerably greater potential. This is illustrated with a feasibility study design for a capsule of approximately 10 tonne fuelled weight and capable of carrying four people on a very wide range of missions. The conclusion reached is that a multi-purpose capsule can be a very high value investment, providing an effective way of doing many missions in both expendable and reusable launch system environments. However to achieve this potential the capsule has to be carefully specified, and employ the best of systems thinking in its implementation.