Comparative System Analysis of Reusable Rocket and Air-Breathing Launch Vehicles

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dc.contributor.advisorLewis, Mark Jen_US
dc.contributor.authorDissel, Adam Frederiken_US
dc.contributor.departmentAerospace Engineeringen_US
dc.contributor.publisherDigital Repository at the University of Marylanden_US
dc.contributor.publisherUniversity of Maryland (College Park, Md.)en_US
dc.date.accessioned2005-10-11T10:30:35Z
dc.date.available2005-10-11T10:30:35Z
dc.date.issued2005-08-03en_US
dc.description.abstractA conceptual system design study was performed to assess and compare the parameters of single- and two-stage reusable air-breathing and rocket launch vehicles to identify configurations which improve space access and merit further developmental emphasis. Investigated air-breathing configurations included both two-dimensional and inward-turning inlet geometries and horizontal and vertical takeoff modes utilizing rocket or turbine engines. The baseline payload requirement was 20,000 lb to low-Earth orbit. The vehicles were evaluated utilizing several figures of merit including empty weight, wetted area, and maintenance hours. A further weight growth assessment ascertained the growth factor which characterizes each system's design risk and growth response to technological uncertainty. An additional trade study investigated payloads up to 70,000 lb. The two-stage rocket results showed strong performance in applied metrics. Horizontal takeoff single- and two-stage air-breathers trailed far behind, while the vertical takeoff air-breathers were very competitive and merit further attention.en_US
dc.format.extent19128627 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2939
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.subject.pqcontrolledEngineering, Aerospaceen_US
dc.titleComparative System Analysis of Reusable Rocket and Air-Breathing Launch Vehiclesen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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