Performance Study of Staging Variables on Two-Stage-to-Orbit Reusable Launch Vehicles

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of staging variables on Two-Stage-To-Orbit reusable launch vehicles, specifically, the question of what measurable factors play important roles in staging performance. Three different configurations (Rocket-Rocket, Turbojet-Rocket and Turbine Based Combined Cycle-Rocket) were considered. The software, Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories (POST), was used to analyze these configurations. Vehicle coasting time, staging dynamic pressure and staging Mach number were all varied to determine their influence on the final payload.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA434320

Entities

People

  • James K. Nilsen

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Booster Rocket Engines
  • Dynamic Pressure
  • Engines
  • Hybrid Power
  • Jet Aircraft
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Mach Number
  • Payload
  • Reusable Launch Vehicles
  • Rocket Engines
  • Supersonic Combustion Ramjet Engines
  • Trajectories
  • Turbines
  • Turbojet Engines
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster