NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory are involved in a Joint System Study (JSS) on Two-Stage-to-Orbit (TSTO) vehicles. The JSS will examine the performance, operability and uncertainty of unmanned, fully reusable, airbreathing-based TSTO launch vehicle concepts. NASA is providing a concept using turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) propulsion on the booster stage and an all-rocket orbiter. The Air Force supplied two vehicle concepts, both utilizing an all-rocket booster; one with an all-rocket orbiter, the other using a rocket-based combined cycle orbiter. For NASA, this study is being used for tool assessment and development, and to identify generic technology gaps, not to choose vehicle types or concepts. This presentation starts with an overview of the major JSS ground rules and assumptions. Second, the NASA TSTO concept, Reusable Airbreathing Launch Vehicle - iteration B (RALV-B) is introduced, including its mission profile and, the vehicle (booster and orbiter) layout and packaging. The high speed propulsion concept is then briefly discussed, including the work performed and lessons learned. The low speed TBCC propulsion system is covered next in some detail. An overview for the low speed system is given; then its development is discussed (starting with initial layout and leading to more detailed analyses performed and results). The low speed system portion is wrapped up with lessons learned and summary. Finally, an overall summary and lessons learned so far for the JSS are given as well as work planned to complete the study.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    TBCC TSTO Design for the NASA-AFRL Joint System Study


    Contributors:
    C. A. Snyder (author) / J. Robinson (author) / S. Ferlemann (author)

    Publication date :

    2010


    Size :

    24 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    TBCC TSTO Design for the NASA-AFRL Joint System Study

    Snyder, Christopher A. / Robinson, Jeff / Ferlemann, Shelly | NTRS | 2010


    Lessons Learned During TBCC Design for the NASA-AFRL Joint System Study

    Snyder, Christopher A. / Espinosa, A. M. | NTRS | 2013



    Aztec: A TSTO Hypersonic Vehicle Concept Utilizing TBCC and HEDM Propulsion Technologies

    Kokan, Timothy / Olds, John / Hutchinson, Virgil et al. | AIAA | 2004


    The NASA/AFRL Meter Class Autonomous Telescope

    Cowardin, H. / Lederer, S. / Buckalew, B. et al. | NTRS | 2016