Traditionally, space rockets have been born out of missile programmes, beginning with Hitler's V-2 rocket and continuing with the intercontinental ballistic missiles of the Cold War.

These were developed into powerful rockets that could launch people and scientific or commercial payloads into space, but, like missiles, they could only be used once. Then came plans for vehicles that looked more like aircraft than rockets.

Most of them got no further than an expensive development phase. The exception was the Space Shuttle, but the Shuttle needs extensive repairs after each misson therefore its cost per pound of payload launched is in fact higher than many of its non-reusable competitors.

Reusable versus non-reusuable rockets

So the new space-faring nations are again using rockets. Can space flight ever become cheap and routine? Are there novel technologies we could be exploring for the future, from hypersonic planes to space elevators?

Is a national space programme what is needed to prove that a country is a major player on the world scene? Several countries have their own space rockets – some are converted ballistic missiles, some are new designs. How well do they work and are they driven by commercial or political pressure?

In programme two we compare the launch systems of China, India, Russia, Europe and the USA.

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	Getting into space