Reusable launch vehicles, enabling technology for the development of advanced upper stages and payloads

Details Reusable launch vehicles, enabling technology for the development of advanced upper stages and payloads Reusable launch vehicles, enabling technology for the development of advanced upper stages and payloads

Jan 1998

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998aipc..420.1151m&link_type=abstract

Space technology and applications international forum - 1998. AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 420, pp. 1151-1156 (1998).

Statistics

Applications

Spaceborne And Space Research Instruments, Apparatus, And Components, Propulsion Reactors

Scientific paper

In the near future there will be classes of upper stages and payloads that will require initial operation at a high-earth orbit to reduce the probability of an inadvertent reentry that could result in a detrimental impact on humans and the biosphere. A nuclear propulsion system, such as was being developed under the Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (SNTP) Program, is an example of such a potential payload. This paper uses the results of a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) study to demonstrate the potential importance of a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) to test and implement an advanced upper stage (AUS) or payload in a safe orbit and in a cost effective and reliable manner. The RLV is a horizontal takeoff and horizontal landing (HTHL), two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) vehicle. The results of the study shows that an HTHL is cost effective because it implements airplane-like operation, infrastructure, and flight operations. The first stage of the TSTO is powered by Rocket-Based-Combined-Cycle (RBCC) engines, the second stage is powered by a LOX/LH rocket engine. The TSTO is used since it most effectively utilizes the capability of the RBCC engine. The analysis uses the NASA code POST (Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories) to determine trajectories and weight in high-earth orbit for AUS/advanced payloads. Cost and reliability of an RLV versus current generation expandable launch vehicles are presented.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Reusable launch vehicles, enabling technology for the development of advanced upper stages and payloads does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Reusable launch vehicles, enabling technology for the development of advanced upper stages and payloads, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Reusable launch vehicles, enabling technology for the development of advanced upper stages and payloads will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1652361