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The US spacelift system in 2025 focuses on routine operations. The
research and development (RD) mentality of past spacelift programs
is replaced by the aircraft-like operations of a fully reusable
spacelift system, operated by both commercial industry and a US
Spacelift Wing. Though developed primarily as a practical and
affordable alternative for orbital access, the multipurpose
transatmospheric vehicle (MTV) is expanded into force enhancing
missions like intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR),
global mobility, and strike. The MTV becomes the strategic strike
platform of 2025. It can be flown manned or unmanned, depending on
mission requirements, but it is primarily used in the unmanned
mode. With the capability to efficiently accomplish the
earth-to-orbit (ETO) mission as well as these other earth-to-earth
(ETE) missions, the MTV is a flexible platform which strengthens
all air and space core competencies. The MTV is complemented by the
orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) for space orbital missions. After
MTVs park satellites in low orbits, OTVs provide the additional
thrust needed to push the payloads into higher energy orbits. OTVs
also facilitate the maintenance of satellites in orbit by
retrieving existing platforms for repair, refueling or rearming.
Finally, OTVs give the spacelift system a rapid orbital sortie
capability for deterrence, space control, reconnaissance,
counterspace, and force application. This paper recommends Air
Force support for NASA's X-33 transatmospheric reusability
demonstration and investment in a follow-on military MTV and an
initial OTV using today's technologies. Once routine operations are
institutionalized with these first generation reusable systems,
propulsion and material technology should be infused to provide a
more capable system. This paper recommends avid support of RD
funding needed to provide these technological advances.
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