A mission to release a payload to low polar earth orbit by a conceptual Reusable Aero Space Vehicle (RASV) is considered for Monte Carlo atmospheric conditions. Atmospheres are applied to a baseline trajectory in which, after payload release, the spaceplane circumnavigates the globe and returns to its launch site by a boost glide maneuver (i.e., by skipping off the atmosphere) and the payload employs a small attached booster to put a satellite into a final orbit. Around-the-world RASV trajectories are found to be feasible under many atmospheric conditions; however, trajectory characteristics are found to vary substantially with atmospheric variations when a given set of fixed flight controls are used.
Atmospheric Considerations for Skipping Spaceplane Trajectories
1997
7 pages
Report
No indication
English
Atmospheric considerations for skipping spaceplane trajectories
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