Title
Small solid propellant launch vehicle mixed design optimization approach
Date Issued
01 January 2014
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Beihang University
Publisher(s)
Departamento de Ciencia e Tecnologia Aeroespacial
Abstract
For a small country with limited research budget and lack of advanced space technology, it is imperative to find new approaches for the development of low-cost launch vehicles (LV), which is, among all possibilities, an interesting option for rapid access to space, focused on integration of acquired components complemented with indigenously developed subsystems. This approach requires the cooperation of developed countries with huge experience and knowledge in LV development and operations. The main objective is to develop a small three stage solid propellant LV capable of delivering a payload of 100 kg to a circular low earth orbit of 600 km altitude, with the first and second stage solid rocket motors (SRM) hypothetically acquired from different countries and the third one designed and produced domestically in accordance with the production and technological capability. This approach provides main advantages such as: reduction in total time to access the space and to master the basic knowledge of launch operations. For this purpose, an integer continuous genetic algorithm global optimization method was selected and implemented, the SRM characteristics of the frst and second stage were considered as integer variables, whereas the design variables of the third stage SRM and the trajectory variable were considered as continuous. A multi discipline feasible (MDF) framework was implemented along with the propulsion, aerodynamic, mass and trajectory models. Despite their particular characteristics and constraints, the results show highly acceptable values, and the approach proved to be reliable for conceptual design level.
Start page
291
End page
300
Volume
6
Issue
3
OCDE Knowledge area
Ingeniería del transporte
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84907433715
Source
Journal of Aerospace Technology and Management
ISSN of the container
19849648
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus