AbstractNumerous studies have already identified that Fully Reusable Launch Vehicle Two-Stage-To-Orbit concepts (FRLV TSTO) could be one of the best solutions for meeting economical and technical objectives of second-generation RLV.In 2001, CNES initiated and funded system studies aimed at defining the most promising FRLV TSTO configurations in terms of technical and technological challenges and economical effectiveness. EADS-LV leads for this purpose an industrial team composed of EADS-LV, SNECMA Moteurs, DASSAULT Aviation and ONERA.The presented programme is a two-phase study addressing three coupled issues: viable configuration definition, key issues analysis and vehicle architecture design.The first phase has been split into three periods: (1) establishing preliminary but consolidated assumptions and ground rules, (2) systematic computation of the two stages main features for a given payload mass into LEO orbit, (3) preliminary definition of remarkable configurations and associated propulsion systems.The second phase, under development, is mainly focused on the design of a study configuration by figuring out key issues and providing consolidated data (technical and economical performance).This paper intends to present the major investigations of the first phase:a survey of the overall approach;the main technical characteristics;the major recommendations for further steps.
Promising solutions for fully reusable two-stage-to-orbit configurations
Acta Astronautica ; 56 , 8 ; 729-736
2004-11-22
8 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Promising solutions for fully reusable two-stage-to-orbit configurations
Online Contents | 2005
|Ground and Flight Testing of a Fully Reusable Single Stage to Orbit Experimental System
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994
|A Small, Reusable Single Stage to Orbit Rocketship
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994
|