发展一种可回收发射载具的策略。
A strategy for the development of a reusable launch vehicle

背景
Background
这艘太空梭是六零年代晚期制造的，使用寿命可以维持到西元2025年。许多人呼吁美国太空总署研发一种新型的可回收发射载具，以便充分地压低发射器飞行成本。然而，在X-33计划取消之前，这个构想已经实验多次并且已经投注了大量金钱。所以这个专题要构思策略，在2025年之前能够发展新型的可回收发射载具。
The Shuttle was developed in the late sixties. It's operational life can take it through 2025. Many have called for NASA to develop a new reusable launch vehicle that will substantially reduce the cost of launch to orbit. However, this has been tried before with a great deal of money spent before the project was cancelled (X-33). This project will develop the strategies to develop a new reusable launch vehicle in the 2025 timeframe.

成果
Products

1. 1.一份可出版的学术研究论文。期限：第十二堂课
   A publishable, scholarly research paper. Due: Lec #12.
2. 2.一份详细的研究论文纲要。期限：第八堂课
   A detailed outline of the research paper. Due: Lec #8.
3. 3.所有已查阅的参考书目。期限：第九堂课
   A bibliography of all sources consulted. Due: Lec #9.
4. 4. 课堂报告概述研究论文的成果发表，并引导小组在此议题上作学术讨论。期限：第十一堂课
   A presentation for the class that summarizes the research paper and leads the group in a scholarly discussion of the issue. Due: Lec #11.
5. 5. 发放阅读资料给所有与会者，提供他们背景知识。　期限：课堂报告一周前
   A set of readings to be distributed to all visitors, to provide them with background. Due: 1 week prior to presentation
   

内容
Charter
这个专题将完成下列任务：
The project will accomplish the following tasks:

1. 1.回顾过去美国太空总署和美国空军尝试发展可回收发射载具。
   Review past NASA and Air Force attempts to develop a reusable launch vehicle.
2. 2.评估国际合作发展这种载具的可行性。
   Assess the possibilities for international cooperation in the development of such a vehicle.
3. 3.计算这种系统的潜在商机。
   Determine the potential commercial viability of such a system.
4. 4.研究未来美国太空总署/ 美国空军对于此种载具共同的潜在需求度。
   Study the potential NASA/Air Force joint requirements for such a vehicle.
5. 5.提出发展此种载具的（具成本效益）策略。
   Propose (cost-effective) strategies for the development of such a vehicle.