Commercial Spaceflight Assessments, Challenges and Trends

Historically, the commercial space launch industry focused primarily on putting payloads, such as satellites, into orbit, using launch vehicles that did not return to earth. Such launches have dropped off, and the industry is increasing its focus on space tourism. Additionally, in 2010, the Administration announced significant changes to NASA's human space-flight program, including its intention to cancel NASA's Constellation Program, and instead put the agency on the path of relying on commercial launch companies to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station. This book examines the commercial space-flight industry with a focus on space tourism and commercial space transportation of NASA crews and cargo.