Overview on Reusable Space Launch System

Overview on Reusable Space Launch System

Author Name : Shreya Mane

ABSTRACT This paper examines the development, current status, and prospects of reusable launch vehicles (RLVs); it also provides a brief historical overview of the development of RLVs and suggests reuse techniques based on the lessons learned from those efforts. The introduction of reusable space launch systems represents a significant shift in the economics and accessibility of space exploration. Almost every component of a rocket used to launch satellites and shuttles into orbit in the past was built to only be used once. Typically, a rocket returns to Earth's surface after using its first stage, which accounts for 70% of the rocket's total cost. There, it burns up in the atmosphere and is destroyed. The reusable rocket is an effort to find a solution to this problem. The pioneer in the field of reusable rocket technology, SpaceX, has created rockets that can launch several times with success. Reusing a rocket is a difficult endeavour that calls for several steps. By comparing different RLV designs, including those by SpaceX, Blue Origin, and NASA, we analyse their impact on reducing launch costs, increasing launch frequency, and enhancing mission flexibility. Furthermore, this review discusses the challenges associated with RLVs, such as re-entry dynamics, refurbishment costs, and regulatory hurdles. Finally, the paper explores the potential of reusable systems to support sustainable space infrastructure and their role in upcoming missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of reusable space launch systems and their implications for the future of space exploration.