2098. Developing the Mass Properties for the HL-20

Paper

Abstract

A small shuttle in the form of a lifting body is proposed for the assured return of eight astronauts from a space station. The Spacecraft, designated HL-20, is delivered to the station with wings folded in the Shuttle orbiter cargo bay. Subsystems are sized for a 24-hour flight duration and are configured so that the vehicle can remain docked to the space station unattended for long periods of time in a ready state for the return of the space station crew on demand. The HL-20 is also being studied as an alternative means for manned access to space when delivered on an expendable launch vehicle such as a Titan. For these missions, flight times are increased from 24 to 72 hours, or enough time to go to the space station, changeout the crew, and return to Earth. Operational simplicity for subsystems was emphasized in the study. This paper is primarily a survey of subsystem options and concepts with discussions of the weight and operational benefits and penalties associated with some of the concepts. A weight breakdown based on conventional components is given for two baseline vehicles with an explanation as to the weight reductions or penalties for state-of-the-art alternatives.