THE FUTURE OF U.S. ROCKETRY

Reviewed 3/12/1997

The Future of U.S. Rocketry, by Edward Hujsak

THE FUTURE OF U.S. ROCKETRY
Edward Hujsak
La Jolla, CA: Mina-Helwig Co., 1994

Rating:

5.0

High

ISBN 1-886133-01-8 201pp. HC/LF/BWI $29.95

The middle fourteen chapters of this book describe the various launch technologies — used, developed, and proposed — in the U.S.1 The list begins with the "big three" (my term) — the Atlas, Delta and Titan launcher families — and proceeds through the Space Shuttle, small launchers, solid-fuel and hybrid rockets, upper stages2, partially developed systems like the Delta Clipper SSTO vehicle, ending with discussion of advanced concepts like nuclear rockets and electromagnetic launch facilities. (It is worth noting that not all these concepts can be called "pie in the sky". Solid-core nuclear rockets using hydrogen as working fluid have undergone 15 years of development since the 1950s, and several different engines have been ground-tested. These engines would have twice the performance of the best chemical rockets, and further improvement is possible. The only thing preventing it is political skittishness.) Although this is not a book about the politics of space development, the author does include the basics such as which agency is sponsoring which program, and the quality of Congressional or Executive Branch support they enjoy.

Each chapter describes the current state of the vehicles, giving payload capacities for the different configurations, and forecasts the outlook for future upgrades.

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the past half-century of rocketry, and projects some broad future possibilities. The final chapter, 16, asks if there really is a U.S. policy for space; it answers in the negative. This quote from page 196 is representative:

There is no lack of dreamers among the scientists, engineers and other individuals regarding the tug of adventure in space exploration and research. But there are few dreamers among the policy makers and planners in Washington and none who can articulate the importance of space to humanity, now that it has the tools to carry on energetically with the business of space exploration. The industry itself is beset by dullards in its top management, whose vision for the future is sadly wanting.

This review needs rework...

Mr. Hujsak was for ten years Chief of Preliminary Design for Launch Vehicle Programs at General Dynamics Space Systems Division in San Diego. He retired in 1989 to start his own company specializing in advanced launch systems. The only error I noticed in this book is that he once refers to E. C. Aldridge as "former Secretary of the Navy". Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge was Air Force Secretary.

1 Hujsak does not confine himself exclusively to U.S. efforts. The space race is discussed, and he mentions the Daedalus Project of the British Interplanetary Society.
2 Although the Lockheed Agena was a significant upper stage historically, Hujsak omits it because the last one was used up in 1990 (AFAIK).
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