Effect of propulsion system characteristics on ascent performance of dual-fueled single-stage earth-to-orbit transports

The results of a parametric study of ascent performance are presented for a vertical take off, horizontal landing, single stage earth-to-orbit transport vehicle. Two dual fueled concepts, series burn and parallel burn, were investigated, both of which utilized dual position rocket nozzles. The analysis was made by systematically varying a set of propulsion similarity parameters, initial thrust-weight ratio, the proportion of the thrust due to dual position nozzle engines, expansion ratios of the rocket nozzle, and the relative split between the two fuels, hydrogen and hydrocarbon. The data are presented as a series of curves of mass ratio plotted against each of the similarity parameters for various combinations of the other similarity parameters.