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The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was launched in 1990 and has undergone several Servicing Missions that have replaced and repaired various scientific and support hardware. As preparations begin for Servicing Mission Four (SM4) in 2008 and the life extension activities that follow, the Telescope Thermal Math Model (TMM) has been improved using the latest thermal analysis software and techniques. Several efforts have been made to improve the HST system-level TMM since launch. A brief history of the major model updates, as well as the motivation behind the changes has been provided. The current improvements have provided the HST systems-level TMM a greater level of detail, while making model control more user-friendly and the results easier to verify. Several modeling techniques useful for spacecraft thermal design and operations support are discussed.

The Military Space Plane program represents a major paradigm shift in the way spacecraft and launch vehicles are designed and operated. Now in its formative stages, the Military Space Plane, or MSP, strives for operational goals that blur the distinction between traditional spacecraft, launch vehicles and aircraft both from an operability and design standpoint. The X-34 rocket plane being built by Orbital at its Dulles, Virginia facility, represents a reusable technology testbed for evaluating new developments in launch vehicle subsystems and quick turnaround operations. These aspects of Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) design and operation are critical to achieving an MSP capability early in the 21st century.