Coplanar Air Launch with Gravity-Turn Launch Trajectories

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of launching a vehicle based on the Boeing AirLaunch System in a coplanar, direct to rendezvous trajectory with gravity-turn. The focus of the research was to model the launch trajectory and determine the ability to reach different coplanar orbits. The launch trajectory was modeled using two-dimensional equations of motion and a boundary value problem was posed and solved for the gravity-turn trajectory. Trajectories were then created in an attempt to reach different altitudes through coasting and transfer orbits. Finally a specific orbital altitude was chosen and the trajectories were analyzed to find the most efficient route to the target orbit for fuel and time.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 23, 2004
Accession Number
ADA423220

Entities

People

  • David W. Callaway

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Value Problems
  • Computer Programs
  • Elliptical Orbits
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Maneuvers
  • Orbits
  • Rendezvous
  • Rocket Engines
  • Transfer Orbits
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers