Shuttle derived manned transportation systems

Shuttle derivatives have been under study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for a number of years. With Space Station Freedom and the Lunar/Mars Initiative established as national objectives, the demand for access to earth orbit is accelerating. These objectives have resulted in efforts to address additional launch requirements that must be met as the turn of the century approaches. Among the top level requirements are increased safety, higher reliability, lower cost, and the need for heavy lift launch capability. To satisfy these requirements, some of the largest technology demands will be placed upon the propulsion systems. Shuttle derived manned concepts are presented and the associated propulsion issues which arise from the top level requirements are discussed. These concepts are presented in terms of an overall architecture which can be achieved with modest up-front development

The alleged contributions of Pedro E. Paulet to liquid-propellant rocketry

The first practical working liquid propellant rocket motor was claimed by Pedro E. Paulet, a South American engineer from Peru (1895). He operated a conical motor, 10 centimeters in diameter, using nitrogen peroxide and gasoline as propellants and measuring thrust up to 90 kilograms, and apparently used spark ignition and intermittent propellant injection. The test device which he used contained elements of later test stands, such as a spring thrust-measuring device. However, he did not publish his work until twenty-five years later. Evidence is examined concerning this only known claim to liquid propellant rocket engine experiments in the nineteenth century