IAC-08-D2.4.5 IS THE WORLD READY FOR HIGH-SPEED INTERCONTINENTAL PACKAGE DELIVERY (YET)? John R. Olds* SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI), United States of America (USA)
[email protected] A.C. Charaniat SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI), United States of America (USA)
[email protected] Derek Webber:t Spaceport Associates, United States of America (USA)
[email protected] Jon G. Wallace§ SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI), United States of America (USA)
[email protected] Michael Kelly** SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI), United States of America (USA)
[email protected] ABSTRACT This paper examines the prospects for a successful regularly-scheduled high-speed package delivery service for high-priority intercontinental cargo, notionally to be undertaken within the next decade or two. The topic is investigated from both technical/vehicle design and economics/business case points-of-view. Potential cargo include packages and priority items for which there might be a premium paid for speed, particularly if door-to-door service can be achieved fully one business day earlier than the fastest scheduled offerings currently available in the industry. The paper introduces a preliminary traffic model for a future business case, highlighting key routes and estimated daily volumes and price expected. Candidate flight vehicles and requisite technologies are discussed, with a particular point-to-point reference concept being presented to serve as the basis for non-recurring and recurring service cost estimates. The overall business case is then investigated,