The updated and expanded third edition of this book focuses on the multi-disciplinary coupling between flight-vehicle hardware alternatives and enabling propulsion systems. It discusses how to match near-term and far-term aerospace vehicles to missions and provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, directly contributing to the next-generation space infrastructure, from space tourism to space exploration. This holistic treatment defines a mission portfolio addressing near-term to long-term space transportation needs covering sub-orbital, orbital and escape flight profiles. In this context, a vehicle configuration classification is introduced covering alternatives starting from the dawn of space access. A best-practice parametric sizing approach is introduced to correctly design the flight vehicle for the mission. This technique balances required mission with the available vehicle solution space and is an essential capability sought after by technology forecasters and strategic planners alike.

This book comprehensively and systematically demonstrates the theory and practice of designing, synthesizing and improving the performance of fuels. The contents range from polycyoalkane fuels, strained fuels, alky-diamondoid fuels, hypergolic and nanofluid fuels derived from fossil and biomass. All the chapters together clearly describe the important aspects of high-energy-density fuels including molecular design, synthesis route, physiochemical properties, and their application in improving the aerocraft performance. Vivid schematics and illustrations throughout the book enhance the accessibility to the relevant theory and technologies. This book provides the readers with fundamentals on high-energy-density fuels and their potential in advanced aerospace propulsion, and also provides the readers with inspiration for new development of advanced aerospace fuels.

This book was sponsored by the U.S. Air Force Academy Space Mission Analysis and Design Program with support from program offices at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, the National Reconnaissance Office, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and organizations within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.