Booster sought to launch and launch some more.

• Author: Beidel, Eric
• Position: Defense Technology Newswire

When rocket boosters propel a vehicle into space, it usually is a one-time deal. Parts of a launch system burn up, fall into the ocean or remain in an orbital graveyard never to be used again.

The Air Force, though, wants a booster that can "rocket-back" and return to the launch site, landing itself like an airplane on a strip.

The Reusable Booster System (RBS) would replace costly expendable launchers. The Air Force Research Laboratory and the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center have awarded contracts to Andrews Space, Boeing and Lockheed Martin to define requirements and design concepts for a demonstration vehicle called the RBS Pathfinder. The three teams also will compete to build the vehicle and conduct a flight test

NASA has been reusing two solid rocket...