Title: Rocket Back Trajectory Sensitivity Analyses for a Reusable Booster System
Abstract:Under a sponsored effort with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), SpaceWorks Engineering is tasked with conducting various sensitivity analyses for an envisioned operational hybrid launch system of int...Under a sponsored effort with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), SpaceWorks Engineering is tasked with conducting various sensitivity analyses for an envisioned operational hybrid launch system of interest to the U.S. Air Force. This vertically-launched all-rocket powered vehicle features a reusable booster stage and an expendable upperstage. Both stages use RP-2 and liquid oxygen as main propellants. The system is designed to deliver 20Klbs of payload to Low Earth Orbit from CCAFS. Upon staging, the booster performs a rocket-boost back maneuver to return to the launch site in Florida. Using a previously established reference vehicle design, the authors are performing various sensitivity analyses on vehicle-level design parameters (e.g. liftoff T/W, aerodynamic L/D, etc.) and staging/return-to-launch-site (RTLS) parameters (e.g. engine throttle setting, pitch-over rate, etc.) and techniques. For each case, the vehicle design is resized and “closed” to ensure delivery of the target payload by the system. This paper will detail the parameter trade space being investigated, report on the baseline vehicle design, and present some preliminary sensitivity results conducted to date. Engineering details for the hybrid system will include trajectory simulation results, mass properties, and propulsion specifications for both stages. Initial summary observations and conclusions will also be included.Read More
Publication Year: 2010
Publication Date: 2010-08-30
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 6
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot