Rocket Propulsion Technology Impact on TSTO Launch System Cost

Abstract

The benefits of advanced liquid rocket propulsion technology are evaluated for two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) reusable launch systems. Life cycle cost (LCC) is used as a figure-of-merit and is driven by high launch rate requirements. This paper reports the methods and results of that study. The reported analysis focused on chemical rocket propulsion using either hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels, and oxygen or high purity hydrogen peroxide as oxidizers. Results indicate that advanced rocket propulsion can cut life cycle costs in half and recurring costs (cost for additional flights) by a factor of three. The most important propulsion parameter to be improved for this class of vehicle is the reusability of the rocket engines, with performance improvements a distant second. Additionally, a TSTO vehicle using liquid oxygen and hydrocarbon propellants in both stages has the lowest LCC. Results were relatively insensitive to engine reliability and cost.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 08, 2001
Accession Number
ADA411282

Entities

People

  • David R. Perkins
  • Jason B. Mossman

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Earth Orbits
  • Hydrocarbon Fuels
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Life Cycle Costs
  • Life Cycles
  • Liquid Hydrogen
  • Liquid Oxygen
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Orbits
  • Propellants
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Reliability
  • Rocket Engines
  • Rocket Propellants
  • Rocket Propulsion
  • Spacecraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster