ISS = International Space Station

This paper briefly reviews the history of Reusable Launch Vehicle development and recommended reuse techniques based on the lessons learned from those efforts. The paper considers a range of techniques for recovery and reuse of launch vehicles. Launch vehicle component cost and weight by major element are also discussed as a method of determining cost/benefit of reuse. Of particular interest are non-propulsive approaches as economic alternatives to propulsive approaches. These may include aerodynamic decelerators (including inflatable decelerators and parachutes) and terminal landing approaches including impact attenuators and mid-air recovery techniques. Utilizing a Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) for atmospheric entry should have considerable mass-fraction advantage over other technologies. Mid-air recovery (MAR) is presented as an innovative approach for precision landing of impact susceptible components such as rocket engines while minimizing contamination by avoiding salt water immersion. The economics of reuse is presented as a basis for recommendations for cost effective reuse and recovery of booster components. Nomenclature ARPA = Advanced Research Projects Agency B = Hardware to be reused (such as Booster