System technology analysis of aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles - Moderate lift/dragThe utilization of procedures involving aerodynamic braking and/or aerodynamic maneuvering on return from higher altitude orbits to low-earth orbit makes it possible to realize significant performance benefits. The present study is concerned with a number of mission scenarios for Aeroassisted Orbital Transfer Vehicles (AOTV) and the impact of potential technology advances in the performance enhancement of the class of AOTV's having a hypersonic lift to drag ratio (L/D) of 0.75 to 1.5. It is found that the synergistic combination of a hypersonic L/D of 1.2, an advanced cryopropelled engine, and an LH2 drop tank (1-1/2 stage) leads to a single 65,000 pound shuttle, two-man geosynchronous mission with 2100 pounds of useful paylod. Additional payload enhancement is possible with AOTV dry weight reductions due to technology advances in the areas of vehicle structures and thermal protection systems and other subsystems.
Document ID
19830060256
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Florence, D. E. (General Electric Co., Space Div., Philadelphia PA, United States)
Fischer, G. (Grumman Aerospace Corp. Bethpage, NY, United States)