International market for a reusable launch vehicle

A reusable launch vehicle could be developed early next century if the X-33 program is successful. Its development will be funded by industry, and the vehicle will be operated privately. A critical task is to assess the future market for such a vehicle. The total number of commercial payloads could range between 40 and 60 satellites per year, taking into account the market elasticity due to the launch price reduction. The RLV would face important competition from expendable launch vehicles. However, the RLV could capture two-thirds of this market, or 26–33 commercial payloads per year.     

The impact of launch vehicle type and size on development cost

The technical development trend of future launch vehicle systems is towards fully reusable systems, in order to reduce space transportation cost. However, different types of launch vehicles are feasible, as there are

• —winged two-stage systems (WTS)

• —ballistic single-stage vehicles (BSS)

• —ballistic two-stage vehicles (BTS)

The performance of those systems is compared according to the present state of the art as well as the development cost, based on the “TRANSCOST-Model”. The development costs are shown versus launch mass (GLOW) and pay-load for the three types of reusable systems mentioned above.It is shown that performance optimization and cost minimization lead to different results. It is more economic to increase the vehicle size for achieving higher performance, instead of increasing technical complexity.Finally it is described that due to the essentially lower launch cost of reusable vehicles it will be feasible to recover the development cost by an amortization charge on the launch cost. This possibility, however, would allow commercial funding of future launch vehicle developments.     

垂直起降可重复使用运载器发展现状与关键技术分析

重复使用运载技术是降低单次发射成本、提高发射密度和减少残骸危害的有效手段,随着以Falcon 9系列为代表的垂直起降运载器的成功回收与重复使用,其在商业航天发射市场表现出了较强的竞争力,掀起了可重复使用运载器的研究新热潮。首先梳理了垂直起降可重复使用运载器的发展现状,然后结合垂直起降运载的任务特征分析了其关键技术,最后总结了垂直起降运载器的发展趋势。     

氢氧发动机实现单级入轨的优化分析

根据现有材料和技术，分析了给定任务下氯氧发动机实现单级入轨的最小起飞质量。由单级入轨弹道、运载器质量和氯氧发动机性能计算模型，优化得到为实现单级入轨的氯氧发动机基本参数。最后还提出一种渐变式氯氧发动机，用该发动机实现单级入轨，能使起飞质量降低16．7％。     

利用热源温度场迭加法诊断持续点热源的强度及位置

可重复使用运载器的防热瓦故障会使航天器的局部结构产牛热源，并在结构中形成温度场。应用热源温度场迭加法的解函数，解得结构温度历程，然后据此温度的变化率趋势判断出热源位置，在此基础上依据多点测最值构造出辨识参数用于热强度识别，通过对一薄壁结构模型算例的计算仿真，证明了本文所提方法的有效性。论文工作为进一步开展热源诊断技术研究，提供了可资工程实践应用的数值算法体系以及有益的数值计算结论。     

The transcost-model for launch vehicle cost estimation and its application to future systems analysis

The first part of the paper describes the structure of the analytical cost estimation model (1982 edition) for launch vehicle development, fabrication and launch operations cost. Especially the new approach for a cost assessment of operations cost including refurbishment (in case of reusable vehicles), direct and indirect operations is presented for discussion and subsequent improvements by introduction of more reference values. The model uses the Man-Year (MY) as cost unit which is independent from inflation and currency exchange rate changes.

The second part of the paper deals with its application to future systems analysis and cost comparison with the example of a potential future European launcher (Post-Ariane-4) with 15 tons LEO payload capability: ten different two-stage launch vehicle concepts (expendable, semi-reusable and fully reusable) with storable and cryogenic propellants are analysed with respect to development cost and cost per launch.

The key problem for a future European launch vehicle is the optimum solution between the (limited) development effort and the desired minimum launch cost. More advanced (partially) reusable systems could provide an essential reduction in cost per launch, require, however, a higher development effort.

In such a case an analytical cost model based on realistic reference data can provide important data for the vehicle concept selection process.     

Economy of modular low-technology launch vehicles

The paper comprises an assessment of the design and the economics of so-called “low-cost” simple modular launch vehicles. It is shown that the performance is very marginal and that the cost per launch cannot compete with technically more advanced fully reusable vehicles. Especially a private-funded development cannot be amortized economically in case of an expendable launch vehicle.     

Low Cost and Reusability of Launch Vehicle

This paper analyzes the launch price of the launch vehicles, domestic and abroad, studies the status and trend of the low cost launch vehicles, and introduces two measures to reduce the cost by means of evolved and disruptive technologies, utilizing the concept of low cost manufacturing and operating modes as well. This paper also analyzes the launch strategies for small satellites such as piggyback, networking launch, and single launch with a small launch vehicle(SLV). Finally, the development trend of reusable launch vehicles is discussed as well as the development prospects for China's reusable launch vehicle.     

可重复使用运载火箭着陆支腿总体布局与关键参数优化

通过对着陆支腿数量和构型进行对比仿真分析,提出了可重复使用运载火箭着陆支腿的总体布局方案,同时建立了着陆支腿参数化仿真模型,将着陆支腿的关键几何参数作为决策变量,基于多体动力学仿真软件开展着陆稳定性仿真分析,以提高着陆稳定性、降低运载火箭返回级受到的着陆过载系数及支腿轻量化为优化目标,对着陆支腿关键几何参数进行优化和确定。仿真结果表明,优化结果能够满足工程使用需要,可以为可重复使用运载火箭着陆支腿总体方案设计提供参考。     

运载火箭助推器伞控回收方案及安全性分析

近年来民营航天公司在火箭回收技术上取得了巨大的突破和成功,受到了广泛关注,各国各种先进回收技术和方案也在验证中,我国也已加速开展回收方案论证和试验验证。提出了一种简单可靠、子系统成熟、成本低廉且具备快速搭载飞行试验演示验证条件的回收方案,该方案采取伞降减速、翼伞落点控制及支腿着陆防护的方式回收助推器,可以作为我国火箭回收工程实践的第一步,为后续回收技术研究和实践积累经验和数据。通过助推器分离仿真分析、再入过程气动计算及姿态仿真计算表明助推器回收方案不影响主飞行任务安全性,再入回收过程可控,具备工程实施的可行性。     

基于RBCC的天地往返运载器动力方案研究

基于火箭基组合循环发动机(RBCC)的结构组成、工作过程和特点,结合某吸气式重复使用天地往返运载器所提出的动力需求,分析了采用RBCC组合循环发动机作为该运载器动力方案的可行性和动力系统指标,设计并计算了RBCC组合循环发动机在各个工作模态下的性能参数.针对相同的运载器使用要求,采用相同的总体和气动力参数,通过飞行弹道仿真,计算和比较了采用RBCC发动机和纯火箭发动机两种动力方案的天地往返运载器方案.研究结果表明,相对于纯火箭动力,采用RBCC动力能明显减小运载器的燃料消耗,并增大其航程.     

Calculation of the Direction of the Braking Impulse to Bring a Returnable Stage into the Desired Region

Cosmic Research - The problem of calculating the direction of the braking impulse to bring the reusable returnable first stage of a launch vehicle into the desired landing region is considered. A...     

我国可重复使用液体火箭发动机发展的思考

重复使用是降低航天发射成本的重要途径之一,是液体火箭发动机未来发展的重要方向。本文分析了可重复使用液体发动机的发展趋势,针对可重复使用运载器对发动机功能的需求,探讨了动力系统方案;对比了液氧煤油和液氧甲烷等推进剂组合和不同循环方式,认为几种发动机方案均可满足重复使用运载器的需求;研究了重复使用发动机的关键技术,提出应重点研究可重复使用液体火箭发动机高温组件热结构疲劳寿命评估及延寿技术、运动组件摩擦磨损技术、结构动载荷控制与评估技术、快速检测评估与维修维护技术、健康监控与故障诊断技术、二次或多次起动技术与大范围推力调节技术等。     

基于桥接模式的双网络重复使用运载器控制系统冗余技术

根据重复使用运载器因面临恶劣电磁环境而对控制系统提出的可重用、高可靠性要求,提出了一种基于桥接控制器的四余度1773A光纤总线双网络冗余控制系统方案。该方案在实时性、数据处理、缓解信息拥塞、电磁兼容性等方面具有较好的优势,控制系统实现了集控制、传感、通信、网络、故障诊断与容错处理于一体的功能。通过对计算机、综合控制器、伺服机构等关键部组件及系统级总线进行冗余设计,提高了系统的可靠性。     

重复使用运载火箭精确回收滑模动态面控制

针对可重复使用运载火箭一子级再入垂直着陆阶段，利用滑模动态面控制(SMDSC)技术设计了一个精确垂直回收控制策略。首先考虑运载火箭的燃料消耗、质心变化及转动惯量摄动等特点，建立运载火箭一子级返回段动力学模型。然后针对范数有界的不确定性和有界连续的未知干扰，设计一个滑模状态观测器和一个自适应参数估计器用于获得其估计值；随后，基于获得的状态估计值和未知参数估计值，设计了一个基于自适应动态面技术的跟踪控制律。最后，通过数值仿真，对比两种不同控制策略下的运载火箭垂直返回姿态角跟踪能力。结果表明，采用本文提出的自适应滑模动态面控制策略具有更好的跟踪效果.     

可重复使用航天器基于状态估计的再入飞行滑模控制器设计研究

给出了一种可重复使用航天器再入飞行鲁棒控制方法。在给定可用制导指令和干扰、不确定性的上界条件下，综合利用快慢双回路连续滑模控制方法，生成包括气动舵面和反推力控制系统（RCS）发动机的控制指令，得到了在建模误差和外界干扰存在的情况下拥有高精度、鲁棒性和解耦特性的气动角和姿态角速率跟踪结果。滑模控制抖振抑制逻辑利用李亚普诺夫方法，构筑滑模干扰观测器，并依据自适应增益调节思想，有效消除了控制抖振，保证了工程实际应用的能力。以某型可重复使用航天器为例，在考虑到模型不确定性、风扰以及测量噪声的情况下．通过不同的控制律设计结果对比表明，该方法高效、可靠。     

运载火箭尾段防热/承载一体化热防护系统设计及性能分析

先进热防护技术是可重复使用运载火箭研制的关键技术之一,具有高结构效率的防热/承载一体化热防护系统是运载火箭极具潜力的备选热防护方案。本文系统地总结了可重复使用运载火箭尾舱段防热和承载两方面的设计要求,设计了一种全复合材料防隔热/承载一体化热防护系统。开展了运载火箭尾段一体化热防护系统设计,进行了代表性单胞结构的高温环境地面试验,揭示了复合材料一体化热防护系统的防隔热机理。同时施加力学和热流载荷,利用有限元方法对运载火箭尾段进行了热力耦合分析,获得了尾段结构的温度场、应变场和应力场。结果表明:在典型载荷工况下一体化热防护系统内壁温度保持在89.2℃以下,内部最大应力不超过9.53 MPa,安全系数达到1.89。     

Parameters and Trajectory Overall Optimization Design of the Combined Cycle Engine Reusable Launch Vehicle

Reusable launch vehicle is an important way to realize fast,cheap and reliable space transportation.A combined cycle engine system provides a more efficient and flexible form of power.The investigation on the research status of the combined cycle engine technology,including basic principle,research programs and classification of structure is firstly discussed in this paper.Then the bilevel hierarchical and integrated parameters/trajectory overall optimization technologies are applied to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of overall vehicle design.Simulations are implemented to compare and analyze the effectiveness and adaptability of the two algorithms,in order to provide the technical reserves and beneficial references for further research on combined cycle engine reusable launch vehicles.     

RBCC和TBCC组合发动机在RLV上的应用

论述了吸气式组合发动机在新一代可重复使用运载器上的使用现状,分析了各种组合方案的优势和特点,着重介绍了RBCC、TBCC的应用对飞行器总体性能的影响,并提出了两种较优的飞行器组合结构方案。     

多学科优化设计在航空航天领域的应用及发展

多学科优化设计是世界各国工业设计界新兴的研究领域。文章对多学科优化设计的主要基本理论、应用研究及发展进行了综述分析。优化算法是多学科优化设计的重要内容 ,文章对此进行了介绍 ,并对多学科优化设计中涉及的软件开发及集成设计框架、软件结构管理的研究成果及研究动态进行了分析。总结并对比分析了多学科优化设计在航空航天领域的几个典型应用及其特点 ,并将多学科优化设计与计算机集成制造系统的研究与发展的关系进行评述。