Rockets that go to high altitudes but
not into orbit have been used for science
investigations since the 1940s. This sort
of suborbital science involves many areas
of research such as microgravity experiments,
atmospheric studies, astronomical observations
(e.g. to rise above the atmosphere to see
in the UV band), studies of the magnetosphere
and more. In addition, engineering studies
can be carried out such as testing equipment
that will later be used on orbital spacecraft.
Often referred to as sounding
rockets, these vehicles have typically
been expendables (though the payload modules
are often recovered) and always unmanned.
A big advantage of suborbital space projects
is their significantly lower costs compared
to orbital projects. This is especially
advantageous for student research. For example,
students participating in the RockOn
Workshop, which is supported by NASA
and the Colorado
and Virginia
Space Grant Consortiums, launched payloads
on June 26th on a suborbital rocket from
NASA's facilities at Wallops Island, Virginia:
Rocket
carrying students' experiments launches
from Shore - PilotOnline.com - June.26.09.
The payloads were later recovered intact
for analysis.
As noted here many times, we will soon
see the flights of fully reusable suborbital
spaceships, several of which have pilots
and will be used for space tourism. Such
suborbital RLVs can also greatly benefit
suborbital science and engineering R&D.
This
page lists the capabilities of such
vehicles. Leading advantages include frequent
flight opportunities, safe return, and,
in the case of the manned vehicles, human-tending
either by a crew member or a scientist on
board.
NASA's Ames Research Center - see Suborbtial
Ex - has organized two workshops
that included scientists and representatives
of the RLV developers who shared ideas and
information concerning science applications
with such vehicles. A summary presentation
of the second workshop is given below. Also,
presentations by two of the RLV companies
at the meeting.
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