Space exploration is both an international and a commercial effort; several countries, companies, and multinational organizations operate hundreds of Earth observation and information exchange platforms near and beyond Earth's orbital plane. RAND research assists policymakers in planning the most efficient and cost-effective strategy for advancing space exploration and cooperation for both military and commercial benefits.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
This external publication is an online database of short Horizon Scanning Centre think-pieces. RAND Europe updated 25% of the papers on this database, to incorporate more recent policy issues, evidence, and developments.
REPORT
Endeavors to determine — on the basis of then-current biological and cosmological knowledge — whether there are other worlds where man can survive or where human life may even now be flourishing.
REPORT
Habitable Planets for Man examines and estimates the probabilities of finding planets habitable to human beings, where they might be found, and the number there may be in our own galaxy.
REPORT
Seminal guide from 1958 on the uses and characteristics of space systems, including astronautics and its applications, technology, rocket vehicles, propulsion systems, propellants, internal power sources, guidance, communication, and more.
COMMENTARY
Published commentary by RAND staff
REPORT
Small spacecraft have become popular for a number of reasons, most prominently the needs to reduce overall cost, be built more quickly, and spread mission risks. Despite the risks, however, small spacecraft fulfill important roles in earth science, astrophysics, space physics, and planetary science. NASA's current generation of small spacecraft is capable of impressive levels of performance.
REPORT
As of the end of 1997, the U.S. had cooperative agreements with 76 countries and six multinational organizations covering the operations of 32 active satellites. This report catalogs the agreements and assesses the extent of interagency coordination.
REPORT
Space programs extend over long periods of time and require considerable financial investment.
REPORT
A description of a camera that, as a payload of an early space vehicle, could photograph the moon. The resulting pictures should be superior to those obtained by telescope or by television cameras such as those carried by Pioneer I and II. Trajectories, spin stabilization, film, lenses, and other factors are considered.
REPORT
Concepts submitted to Project Outreach for Space Exploration and Extended Habitation serve to highlight a number of important research areas, and in particular, the importance of broad-based support for research into power and propulsion technologies...
REPORT
Describes the findings of the Space and Surface Power panel, one of eight project panels evaluating submissions to the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) Outreach Program, or Project Outreach.
REPORT
This Note analyzes a number of transportation and propulsion options for Mars exploration missions.
REPORT
Describes the findings of the Human Support panel, one of eight project panels evaluating submissions to the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) Outreach Program, or Project Outreach.
REPORT
Describes the results of RAND's management of the direct solicitation component of the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) Outreach Program, a program designed to solicit creative ideas from academia, research institutions, private enterprise, ...
REPORT
Discusses possible roles for military crews in space including research, maintenance of spacecraft, and direct participation in the operation of space systems. New vehicles, platforms, and tools proposed for manned operations in space (both military...
REPORT
A discussion of the feasibility of women as future space travelers. The results of related past physiological tests are reviewed. Included are data on fatigue, endurance and response; reaction to altitude conditions; hormonal functions; and psychoso...
REPORT
A contribution to [Applied Optics] by two members of the Mariner Mars '69 team, discussing space photography and planetary exploration. A figure of merit is derived that can be applied to the differing imagery of TV, earth photography, and space pho...
REPORT
A mathematical model implemented by a FORTRAN program for use in the resource analysis of alternative long-range plans for exploration of space, prepared for the Advanced Manned Missions Program Office of Headquarters NASA. Included are discussions o...
REPORT
A general summary of the resource analysis capability developed at RAND for planning advanced manned space exploration missions. It deals with three principal topics: (1) what a manned space flight plan looks like; (2) the procedures used to evalua...
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