For most of us, the Shuttle type Space vehicle is the only one we know. Commissioned in 1977, the reusable, winged vehicle was revolutionary, but not necessarily NASA's best idea. Unfortunately, like in all government agencies, politics still plays a big role, even civilian ones. The space shuttle program was actually a very big PR move. Before the shuttle, all space vehicles were of the capsule type. The only method of returning to earth involved slowing down using boosters and then floating to earth with parachutes and splashing down in the ocean to be retrieved by the Navy, and capsules were only used once. It seems downright barbaric when you think about the graceful fashion in which the shuttle returns home: it rides the reentry at just the right angle and then flies home just like any other air born vehicle, of it's own volition, so to speak. Alas, the Shuttle is not much longer for this world. In 2010 the Endeavor will be the last Shuttle flight and then the program will be decomissioned. Believe it or not, NASA is returning to the legacy capsule design for future planned vehicles. One of the major reasons is the amount of available data on this design. Simply put, there have been alot of them, so it is well tested. Russia is actually finally developing it's own winged shuttle. Specifically, these vehicles are planned for our first manned trip to Mars slated for the early 30's (Russia's mission is set for 2018).
Other than the iconic Space Shuttle, the only other vehicles most of us have seen have been from movies and tv; Star Wars and Star Trek immediately spring to mind. A short list includes the Millenium Falcon, The X-wing fighter, the Y-wing fighter, and the Tie fighter, although I'm sure some of you out there can list many more. From Star Trek we have the Constitution-Class Enterprise from the original series (NCC-1701, recognize!) and the Galaxy-Class from TNG. Then there are the Klingon and Romulan birds of prey, the ferengi marauder, and many others.
The reason I bring this up is even though the Shuttle was highly political, it felt right. Returning to the capsule seems wrong somehow, and it bothers me. Maybe we've all been ruined by science fiction, but we are used to seeing these sleek, sexy, speedy ships designed to look like hotrods for the stars. Think about Princess Amidalias imperial cruiser, for God's sake.
The reality is these designs are wasted in space. All that sleekness served one purpose only: aerodynamics. However, the field that has guided all of our flying vehicles to date is completely useless in the vacuum: there is no air! No air means no need for wings on which to create lift or smooth surfaces to reduce drag.
When I watch space shows now (and I do, a lot) I see all the planned ships and the current vehicles, and I get a little depressed. They all seem so boring, and not at all like the space future I imagined.
I think there is hope, though. Remember, for example, what the cars looked like from the Hill Valley of the future, from the movie "Back to the Future"? Or any other futuristic movie: Freejack, Demolition Man, Total Recall, etc. The cars all look the same with no right angles, only long lines and gentle curves. Slowly but surely real cars are beginning to look like that.
I have a theory, and I even coined a phrase to describe it. It's regarding the affect that the visualization of future technologies from science fiction will have on the actual development of said technologies. I call it 'Pre-imagined Technology'. I think someday tri-corders will be a real thing. To put it more simply, I think that the imaginary stuff we make up for movies will affect the way the actual stuff will eventually be designed.
My point, I guess, is that these boring space vehicles just remind me how far we are from the Space future of Star Trek, of Star Wars (yes, actually long, long ago, I know) and of my dreams. Now, admittedly my focus on the vehicles is a bit naive, since there are much larger obstacles, like, say, the speed of light barrier, but I let the physicists worry about that...wait.
Anyway, I just want to get there already.
To infinity, and beyond!!!!
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