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.


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    Title :

    Promising solutions for fully reusable two-stage-to-orbit configurations


    Contributors:
    Deneu, F. (author) / Malassigne, M. (author) / Le-couls, O. (author) / Baiocco, P. (author)

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 56 , 8 ; 729-736


    Publication date :

    2004-11-22


    Size :

    8 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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