Air-Launch TSTO With Subsonic In-Flight Collection-System and Technology Study
Abstract
This report results from a contract tasking ASBL Renaissance as follows: A conceptual aircraft design tool called RDS will be used in parallel with the (Royal Military Academy) RMA-developed trajectory-sizing tool. The purpose will be to analyze the variants of the Gross Weight evolution in flight using the ACES concept together with the loads existing on the aircraft and the influence on the aircraft structural design and thus its empty weight with a constant feedback into the trajectory code and the mission payload calculation. A specially designed aircraft based on civil airliner components will be used in the study. This conceptual aircraft together with its orbiter or alone has to cruise during rather long periods (2 to 4 hours). The impact of the possible aircraft volume and thus drag increase due to the high hydrogen content must be studied attentively as well as the possibility for the aircraft to reach 10 km altitude at Mach 0.75-0.80 and fly at these conditions. This analysis will be done using well-known and robust commercial software called AAA. For cruising in these conditions, a hydrogen fueled turbofan is almost mandatory. The feasibility study and the design of such a high by-pass ratio turbofan would also be part of this study (using the commercial software Gasturb and GSP). The LOX collection plant will also be analyzed. The simulation tool developed for the supersonic collection will be used to calculate the performance of the required collection plant in these collecting conditions. The possible icing problem of the pre-coolerwill also be analyzed in these collection conditions. The sizing code developed by ERM for SSTO and TSTO with supersonic staging would be extended to study different cases of this subsonic ACES vehicle, as a three stages concept with a booster for existing aircraft or the one with large extension capabilities specifically designed as multi body (twin fuselage,
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 30, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA410817
Entities
People
- Patrick Hendrick