ABSTRACT
The key to space access is to reduce launch cost to orbit. This belief is shared by all involved with technology, science, commercial and military activities in space. This study reviews launch cost reduction efforts and proposals that have occurred over the last 40 years. In spite of almost continuous attempts by government and private industry to reduce launch costs by orders of magnitude, they remain in the range of $5000-$12,000/pound to orbit. The most optimistic programs hoped to reduce launch costs to as little as $100/pound to orbit. The efforts range from initiatives of small private companies to congressional attempts to mandate a tenfold reduction in launch cost. The programs and proposals are loosely organized chronologically. This review focuses on the most important efforts to reduce launch costs; including Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs) Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs) (including single-stage-to-orbit - SSTO), and the Space Shuttle. It is not a comprehensive review of every proposal and program to receive serious consideration during the last 30 to 40 years.
