A Safe and Practical Space Plane
Robert N. Talmage, Jr., President
TAAS Company, Flight Safety for the 21st Century
An introduction is provided below to a concept for safe vehicle design applicable to human space flight
known as the modular Aircraft Escape Cabin. Two primary factors needed for a practical space
transportation system are an efficient means of propulsion and a reusable vehicle. For human operations,
reliability and safety factors are of equal importance. This new escape system is for use on space vehicles
and high performance aircraft. Having the ability for passengers and crew to recover from an in-flight
emergency would speed development of new vehicles and propulsion systems by managing risk, easing
regulatory challenges and enabling flight test vehicle availability.
Historical Perspective
Utilization of aircraft-style operations has long been considered the ideal way for people to access space.
However, aircraft flight profiles did not satisfy the initial requirement for space vehicles which was to deliver
ballistic weapons. The military criteria mandated a rapid vertical launch and ballistic re-entry to minimize
flight time and possible interception of the warhead. Historically, civilian space programs emerged from
ballistic missile technology and military space activities.
Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV)
The Space Shuttle was the first semi re-useable launch vehicle. The Orbiter glides back to a runway
landing, the solid rocket boosters are recovered from the ocean, and only the external tank is expendable.
Initially the Orbiter design incorporated a human escape system; however, it was eliminated due to the
system’s complexity and weight penalties. The large number of RLV designs being considered today
indicates their attractive economical advantages. As with the Shuttle, most all of these designs rely on the
primary vehicle to return. Neither “SpaceShipTwo” nor “Lynx” by XCOR have an emergency recovery
capability. Blue Origin has not released information on their vertical launch and return vehicle, but their crew
capsule may possibly be able to separate in an emergency from the vehicle and be recovered by parachute.
The Modular Aircraft Escape Cabin (AEC)
(US patent # 6,776,373)
The risks associated with rocket engines, volatile fuels, extreme speeds and the space environment justify
an escape and recovery system. Other than Apollo-style capsules, there is not a current escape system
designed for space vehicles. The AEC satisfies these needs without significant weight penalties, complex
systems or high costs. The modular design minimizes weight penalties by enabling all components to
function in dual roles under normal operations and in emergency situations with the exception of the
parachute. The plug-in attachment technique minimizes complexity and costs. The flight controls on the
escape cabin enables it to stabilize flight, decelerate, glide and select a desirable landing site. The AEC
satisfies the safety needs for high-risk vehicles as well as high performance aircraft.
Market Potential for Space Flight Test Vehicles
The imminent flights of SpaceShipTwo and other sub-orbital space planes will demonstrate the capabilities
of rapid global point-to-point transportation and efficient space planes. As an outcome of this development,
military, government and commercial programs will compete to develop new engines and reusable space
vehicles. A practical escape system will become a vital component for the success of future human space
vehicles. The AEC can be demonstrated promptly and economically using an existing airframe. Once
demonstrated, the technology can be licensed for military aircraft, flight test vehicles and new space planes.
The same aircraft modified to demonstrate the AEC can be equipped with rocket engines to operate as the
first commercial space flight test vehicle. Optimum development of new space vehicles and propulsion
systems will require space flight test vehicles for high fidelity data and simulation.
By using an existing airframe such as the Learjet, the AEC technique can be demonstrated in twelve months
at an estimated cost of five million dollars. With installation of a rocket propulsion system, a modified aircraft
can safely operate as a space flight test vehicle. Each flight will generate revenue from flight test services
and sponsorships. Operating at speeds and altitudes unattainable by current aircraft, the vehicle will
support development of new engines and high speed vehicles by providing the platform and aerodynamic
data necessary. Should a catastrophic failure occur, the AEC will recover the crew and flight test data to
analyze the specific failure.
Conclusion
The success of future human space vehicles depends on their safety, economics and engine performance.
The AEC offers a practical method to solve safety issues for space planes and military aircraft. These two
markets desperately need new escape technology and represent a tremendous potential market. The
proposed flight demonstration opens these markets and creates a new one for space flight test vehicles.
The AEC business plan requires minimum investment, involves minimal risk, has no existing competition,
and accesses multiple markets. A good analogy is the development of our modern skyscrapers. We had the
capability, but it was not until Elisha Otis introduced the “safety brake” for elevators, that soaring
skyscrapers became practical. The AEC, a new modular escape system holds similar potential to open
space by providing that same vital element of near-perfect safety.
Robert N. Talmage, Jr., President
TAAS Company, Flight Safety for the 21st Century
An introduction is provided below to a concept for safe vehicle design applicable to human space flight
known as the modular Aircraft Escape Cabin. Two primary factors needed for a practical space
transportation system are an efficient means of propulsion and a reusable vehicle. For human operations,
reliability and safety factors are of equal importance. This new escape system is for use on space vehicles
and high performance aircraft. Having the ability for passengers and crew to recover from an in-flight
emergency would speed development of new vehicles and propulsion systems by managing risk, easing
regulatory challenges and enabling flight test vehicle availability.
Historical Perspective
Utilization of aircraft-style operations has long been considered the ideal way for people to access space.
However, aircraft flight profiles did not satisfy the initial requirement for space vehicles which was to deliver
ballistic weapons. The military criteria mandated a rapid vertical launch and ballistic re-entry to minimize
flight time and possible interception of the warhead. Historically, civilian space programs emerged from
ballistic missile technology and military space activities.
Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV)
The Space Shuttle was the first semi re-useable launch vehicle. The Orbiter glides back to a runway
landing, the solid rocket boosters are recovered from the ocean, and only the external tank is expendable.
Initially the Orbiter design incorporated a human escape system; however, it was eliminated due to the
system’s complexity and weight penalties. The large number of RLV designs being considered today
indicates their attractive economical advantages. As with the Shuttle, most all of these designs rely on the
primary vehicle to return. Neither “SpaceShipTwo” nor “Lynx” by XCOR have an emergency recovery
capability. Blue Origin has not released information on their vertical launch and return vehicle, but their crew
capsule may possibly be able to separate in an emergency from the vehicle and be recovered by parachute.
The Modular Aircraft Escape Cabin (AEC)
(US patent # 6,776,373)
The risks associated with rocket engines, volatile fuels, extreme speeds and the space environment justify
an escape and recovery system. Other than Apollo-style capsules, there is not a current escape system
designed for space vehicles. The AEC satisfies these needs without significant weight penalties, complex
systems or high costs. The modular design minimizes weight penalties by enabling all components to
function in dual roles under normal operations and in emergency situations with the exception of the
parachute. The plug-in attachment technique minimizes complexity and costs. The flight controls on the
escape cabin enables it to stabilize flight, decelerate, glide and select a desirable landing site. The AEC
satisfies the safety needs for high-risk vehicles as well as high performance aircraft.
Market Potential for Space Flight Test Vehicles
The imminent flights of SpaceShipTwo and other sub-orbital space planes will demonstrate the capabilities
of rapid global point-to-point transportation and efficient space planes. As an outcome of this development,
military, government and commercial programs will compete to develop new engines and reusable space
vehicles. A practical escape system will become a vital component for the success of future human space
vehicles. The AEC can be demonstrated promptly and economically using an existing airframe. Once
demonstrated, the technology can be licensed for military aircraft, flight test vehicles and new space planes.
The same aircraft modified to demonstrate the AEC can be equipped with rocket engines to operate as the
first commercial space flight test vehicle. Optimum development of new space vehicles and propulsion
systems will require space flight test vehicles for high fidelity data and simulation.
By using an existing airframe such as the Learjet, the AEC technique can be demonstrated in twelve months
at an estimated cost of five million dollars. With installation of a rocket propulsion system, a modified aircraft
can safely operate as a space flight test vehicle. Each flight will generate revenue from flight test services
and sponsorships. Operating at speeds and altitudes unattainable by current aircraft, the vehicle will
support development of new engines and high speed vehicles by providing the platform and aerodynamic
data necessary. Should a catastrophic failure occur, the AEC will recover the crew and flight test data to
analyze the specific failure.
Conclusion
The success of future human space vehicles depends on their safety, economics and engine performance.
The AEC offers a practical method to solve safety issues for space planes and military aircraft. These two
markets desperately need new escape technology and represent a tremendous potential market. The
proposed flight demonstration opens these markets and creates a new one for space flight test vehicles.
The AEC business plan requires minimum investment, involves minimal risk, has no existing competition,
and accesses multiple markets. A good analogy is the development of our modern skyscrapers. We had the
capability, but it was not until Elisha Otis introduced the “safety brake” for elevators, that soaring
skyscrapers became practical. The AEC, a new modular escape system holds similar potential to open
space by providing that same vital element of near-perfect safety.
