COST OPTIMIZED BOOSTER SYSTEM STUDIES

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the means of minimizing the value of the criterion either by decreasing costs or increasing payload. The use of clusterable modules of various thrust levels in both upper and lower steps, 0.6- to 10.0-million pounds of thrust, was studied and shown to have economic merit. Effects of chamber-pressure increases, engine type, and upper-step propellants on the criterion were also studied. No advantage existed for the first and last items but an advantage did exist for the plug-type engine. A study of hydrogen-tank-insulation requirements indicated it was necessary and economically defensible. A solid-propellant booster and a monopropellant vehicle were studied, compared to the hydrogen/oxygen vehicle, and found to be less economical. The state-of-the-art of cost reduction in engine and vehicle development and production was investigated, evaluation tools were described, and exploratory cost-reduction studies were completed. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0325693

Entities

Organizations

  • Boeing

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cost Reductions
  • Costs
  • Energetic Materials
  • Hydrogen
  • Insulation
  • Materials
  • Monopropellants
  • Production
  • Propellants
  • Solid Propellants

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics