SITPS Analysis and Sizing on RALV Orbiter

The vision vehicle for the Hypersonics Project of the Fundamental Aeronautics Program at NASA is a two-stage-to-orbit re-useable system consisting of an air-breathing booster and rocket-based Orbiter. Systems level studies and design were based upon the use of a structurally integrated thermal protection system (SITPS) for both vehicles. The presentation details key features of SITPS and presents results from high-fidelity structural and thermal sizing of an SITPS concept on the Orbiter. The high fidelity sizing results show that the mass estimating relationships used to design the Orbiter subsystems provide reasonable approximations.