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Focuses on the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Integrated Space Transportation Plan, a strategy for developing a series of industry built and owned reusable launchers. Information on the second-generation Space Launch Initiative (SLI) propulsion program; Risk-reduction strategies used by SLI to build and test-fire second generation launch engines; Outlook of the third and fourth generation launch vehicles.

Contends that the large-scale hybrid-booster is the kind of propulsion the U.S. needs to maintain and expand its presence in space. How hybrid propulsion systems take the best of liquid rocket systems technology and combine it with the best of solid motor system; History; Safety of hybrids; Outline of hybrid reliability in the `Propulsion System Reliability Modeling Analysis Report,' prepared for the Air Force Astronautics Lab by W.J. Schafer Associates.

Explains how new ways of doing business could retain the old advantages of solid rocket boosters (SRBs) while making them even more reliable. How SRBs can help reach the national goal of low-cost, reliable access to space; History of SRBs' low up-front and production costs; Environmental impact; U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Air Force Phillips Lab's Solid Propulsion Technology Program for Space Transportation.

Reports on the plan of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Agency to launch the Ultraefficient Engine Technology program in its space shuttle propulsion program. Budget for the program; Use of technology developed in the High Speed Research program; Uses for the research; Approaches in the research; Cost of the program.

The article features demonstrations of nuclear and advanced propulsion technologies that could revolutionize space transportation in the U.S. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall initiated several new activities focused on nuclear thermal propulsion technology (NTP). The Advanced Concepts Office of NASA Marshall has developed point-of-departure vehicle design concepts for Mars transportation systems to derive potential NTP stage and engine requirements for human Mars exploration missions.

Reports that the electric propulsion systems have continued to lead the way in the advancement of aerospace propulsion technologies. Assessment of the ion propulsion system; Evaluation of the flight qualification testing of hall thrusters; Provision of two colloid thrusters capable of delivering precisely controllable thrust.

Letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Asking the Right Questions" in the June 2009 issue and "A Hot Rod for the Solar System" in the July-August 2009 issue.

Describes how the Space Exploration Initiative has renewed the goal of human flight to Mars and provided the field on nuclear propulsion with a firm objective. Role of the Nuclear Propulsion Office chartered by U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration at its Lewis Research Center; Fuels and materials issues; Technical concepts being considered; Liquid and vapor core reactor concepts.

Presents an overview of activity in the liquid propulsion community in 1991. Increase in emphasis on liquid propulsion activities due to advent of National Launch System; Progress in the Space Transportation Main Engine program; Development of technology for next cryogenic space engine by U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-Lewis and NASA-Marshall; Efforts to set up a technology database for orbital cryogenic fluid transfer.

Announces the formation of the Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Technical Committee (NTPTC) to represent the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Renewed discussions of advanced propulsion technology; Background of the NTPTC; Focus of the Committee.

Presents the thoughts of the author about the challenge of obsolescence that the propulsion industry faces. Effects of the failures of Space Shuttle, Titan, Atlas, Delta, and Trident; Recommendation that if the U.S. is to continue as a major technological power, the nation must be the leader in the development of propulsion technologies; Importance of propulsion for air and space transportation and national defense; Tasks that must be committed to, including improving the education system at all levels and pursuing an increasing and stable funding base for the propulsion technologies.