Propulsion Experts Chart Course for Future
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (2/9/98) -- More than 80 propulsion experts from across the globe attended a workshop at The Aerospace Corporation January 20 and 21 to chart a long-range course for the development of advanced propulsion systems.
The event was the International Academy of Astronautics' Advanced Propulsion Workshop. It was cohosted by Aerospace and the European Space Agency. The theme was "A World View of Space Propulsion for the Next 40 Years."
Representatives from industry, academia, the research community and the military attended. Such organizations as NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the University of Rome, SEP (a French propulsion company), Boeing, Pratt and Whitney, Daimler-Benz Aerospace, CNES (the French National Center for Space Research), Air Force Research Laboratory, TRW Space and Electronics Group, Aerospatiale, and Aerojet participated. Chairman was Rudi Beichel of Aerojet, an expert in liquid propulsion and formerly a colleague of rocket pioneer Dr. Wernher von Braun.
Dr. Jim Gilchrist, vice president of Technology Operations at Aerospace, provided overall organizational leadership for the workshop, which kicked off with presentations, then was followed by extended discussions within subgroups. Dr. Gilchrist said conclusions arrived at by the subgroups will be integrated into long-range plans of the major manufacturers of propulsion systems worldwide.
Among those making presentations was Dr. Patrick Smith, principal director, Systems Architecture and Plans Subdivision, at Aerospace. He presented highlights of an Aerospace study on future spacelift requirements that is gaining wide recognition in the space community.
Ray Johnson, principal director, Vehicle Performance Subdivision, headed the study, which was prepared for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Air Force Space Command. An important conclusion was that future propulsion systems must be far less costly in addition to being more reliable and able to fly with great frequency.
