Overview
- Details a reference design for a reusable interplanetary spacecraft that is comprised mostly of water in order to argue for the construction of a scaled down, unmanned demonstrator to validate the approach
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Space Development (BRIEFSSPACE)
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Table of contents (15 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
 Based on components already in existence, this manual details a reference design for an interplanetary spacecraft that is simple, durable, fully reusable and comprised mostly of water. Using such an accessible material leads to a spacecraft architecture that is radically simpler, safer and cheaper than conventional capsule based designs. If developed, the potential affordability of the design will substantially open all of the inner solar system to human exploration.
A spacecraft that is comprised mostly of water will be much more like a living cell or a terrarium than a conventional rocket and capsule design. It will use water for many purposes before it is superheated in electric engines for propulsion, purposes which include radiation shielding, heat management, basic life support, crew consumption and comfort. The authors coined the term "spacecoaches" to describe them, as an allusion to the Prairie Schooners of the Old West, which were simple, rugged, and could live off the land.
Authors and Affiliations
About the authors
Brian McConnell is an electrical and software engineer, inventor and veteran technology entrepreneur.
Alexander Tolley worked in software development for over 15 years in finance and biotechnology. He teaches undergraduate biology at a California University.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: A Design for a Reusable Water-Based Spacecraft Known as the Spacecoach
Authors: Brian McConnell, Alexander Tolley
Series Title: SpringerBriefs in Space Development
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22677-4
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Engineering, Engineering (R0)
Copyright Information: The Author(s) 2016
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-22676-7Published: 25 September 2015
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-22677-4Published: 15 September 2015
Series ISSN: 2191-8171
Series E-ISSN: 2191-818X
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: VIII, 112
Number of Illustrations: 1 b/w illustrations, 14 illustrations in colour
Topics: Aerospace Technology and Astronautics, Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics)