Reusable Spacecraft System Designers and Engineers

The Space Shuttle, which was developed by NASA, was the first orbital spacecraft in history to use reusable components and systems. “The orbiter, its three main engines, and twin solid rocket boosters could be refurbished and flown again,” according to The Planetary Society. Certain systems—including its external fuel tank—were used and discarded during flight. More than 800 astronauts rode on 135 shuttle missions on five shuttles (Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour) from 1981 to 2011. Fourteen astronauts died during two tragic accidents in 1986 (on the Space Shuttle Challenger) and 2003 (on the Space Shuttle Columbia). The Space Shuttle Discovery flew a record 39 times.

In the early 2000s, private aerospace companies working separately and in cooperation with NASA began to develop their own reusable spacecrafts. SpaceX made history on December 21, 2015, when it launched its Falcon 9 into orbit and returned it to touch down upright at Cape Canaveral in Florida. SpaceX continues to test launch and return its spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket that is collectively known as Starship. According to SpaceX, “Starship is the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, capable of carrying up to 150 metric tons fully reusable and 250 metric tons expendable.” Blue Origin (via its New Shepard rocket booster) and other aerospace companies have also developed reusable spacecraft and components, but they are only suborbital. Reusable spacecraft are used to significantly reduce design and manufacturing costs, increase launch frequency, and use less fuel and create less space junk than traditional spacecrafts. The burgeoning space tourism industry is also fueling growth in the field. As a result, there is an increasing demand for designers and engineers with expertise working on reusable spacecraft.