Deriving an acceptable level of reusable launch vehicle flightworthiness Available to Purchase

Second-generation reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) will become catalysts for the codification of RLV-specific flightworthiness standards—their potential to evolve into globe spanning space transportation systems operating on a daily basis is immeasurable. To enable these operationally prevalent RLVs to achieve their maximum potential, they will need to function within the confines of an international regulatory framework, and an established airworthiness code as provided by Annex 8 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Hence, certification and licensing standards should not be tailored to accommodate the uniqueness of each RLV design concept, as proposed by some of today’s hopeful developers and operators. Rather, an RLV design that will achieve aircraft-like operations without compromising aircraft safety standards should be established as the benchmark upon which the legal regime for follow-on systems will be based.