A Design for a Reusable Water-Based Spacecraft Known as the Spacecoach [Paperback]

?Based on components already in existence, this manual details a reference design for an interplanetary spacecraft that is simple, durable, fully reusable and comprised mostly of water. Using such an accessible material leads to a spacecraft architecture that is radically simpler, safer and cheaper than conventional capsule based designs. If developed, the potential affordability of the design will substantially open all of the inner solar system to human exploration.

A spacecraft that is comprised mostly of water will be much more like a living cell or a terrarium than a conventional rocket and capsule design. It will use water for many purposes before it is superheated in electric engines for propulsion, purposes which include radiation shielding, heat management, basic life support, crew consumption and comfort. The authors coined the term spacecoaches to describe them, as an allusion to the Prairie Schooners of the Old West, which were simple, rugged, and could live off the land.

Introduction.- Water.- Propulsion.- Power Plants.- Life Support, Materials And Artificial Gravity.- Upgradability.- Landers.- Safety and Autonomy.- Development And Construction Timeline.- A Stagecoach Reference Design.- Mission Templates.- Mars, Venus, Mercury.- A Vision of the Future.- Research Priorities.- Equations and Supporting Data.- Delta V Values and Maps For Interesting Routes.- Modeling Mission Economics.- Conclusion.

Brian McConnell is an electrical and software engineer, inventor and veteran technology entrepreneur.

Alexander Tolley worked in software development for over 15 years in finance and biotechnology. He teaches undergraduate biology at a California University.

Details a reference design for a reusable interplanetary spacecraft that is comprised mostly of water in order to argue for the construction of a scaled down, unmanned demonstrator to validate the approach

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