This paper investigates a unique approach in the development of a reusable launch vehicle where, instead of designing the vehicle to be reusable from its inception, as was done for the Space Shuttle, an expendable two stage launch vehicle is evolved over time into a reusable launch vehicle. To accomplish this objective, each stage is made reusable by adding the systems necessary to perform functions such as thermal protection and landing, without significantly altering the primary subsystems and outer mold line of the original expendable vehicle. In addition, some of the propellant normally used for ascent is used instead for additional propulsive maneuvers after staging in order to return both stages to the launch site, keep loads within acceptable limits and perform a soft landing. This paper presents a performance analysis that was performed to investigate the feasibility of this approach by quantifying the reduction in payload capability of the original expendable launch vehicle after accounting for the mass additions, trajectory changes and increased propellant requirements necessary for reusability. Results show that it is feasible to return both stages to the launch site with a positive payload capability equal to approximately 50 percent of an equivalent expendable launch vehicle. Further discussion examines the ability to return a crew/cargo capsule to the launch site and presents technical challenges that would have to be overcome.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Payload Performance Analysis for a Reusable Two-Stage-to-Orbit Vehicle


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2015-05-01


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Payload Performance Analysis for a Reusable Two-Stage-to-Orbit Vehicle

    P. V. Tartabini / J. R. Beaty / R. A. Lepsch et al. | NTIS | 2015


    MULTIDISCIPLINARY DESIGN ANALYSIS OF A SEMI-REUSABLE TWO-STAGE-TO- ORBIT SMALL PAYLOAD LAUNCH SYSTEM

    Maddock, Christie / Ricciardi, Lorenzo Angelo / Toso, Federico et al. | TIBKAT | 2020


    Two-Stage-To-Orbit Reusable Launch Vehicle Propulsion Performance Study

    Brock, M. A. / Franke, M. E. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004



    METHOD OF LAUNCHING PAYLOAD INTO ORBIT AND REUSABLE CR EJECTOR STAGE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION

    VOZISOV NIKOLAJ IVANOVICH | European Patent Office | 2020

    Free access