Development of H-2B launch vehicle with high reliability

Paper number

IAC-06-D2.1.03

Author

Mr. Hidenori Hara, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-Nagoya Aerospace Sys., Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Tomohiko Goto, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Eijiro Namura, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Year

2006

Abstract

H-IIB launch vehicle is under development to launch HTV (H-II transfer vehicle), which regularly supplies materials to ISS (International Space Station), with enhancement of launch capability from present H-IIA. The enhancement of launch capability also produces cost competitiveness of commercial launch service of H-IIA family with dual launch of satellites. Therefore, the enhancement of launch capability of H-IIB has to be achieved with high reliability as well as H-IIA, which has been established through 9 times launches since its maiden flight in 2001.

The enhancement of launch capability is mainly achieved by increment of fuel mass with expansion of 1st stage propellant tank diameter, and cluster of 2 main engines for 1st stage. The expanded propellant tanks are assembled with the state-of-the art production technologies with high reliability, FSW (Friction Stir Welding) and spin formed integral tank domes. And, the cluster technology of main engines, which has been already developed through Liquid Rocket Booster (LRB) of enhanced version of H-IIA, is to be applied not to decrease reliability of propulsion systems. Moreover, a variety of improvements for launch vehicle systems to achieve high reliability and customer satisfactions are to be applied to H-IIB.

FSW, which is principally stable process, is to be applied for all weld line, including axial and circumferential direction, of the propellant tanks of H-IIB. As a result, the propellant tanks of H-IIB are more reliable than the tanks of other launch vehicles assembled with conventional fusion weld or partial application of FSW.

The integral tank dome, which can reduce weld lines of the tank structure, contributes to improve reliability and to reduce production cost. As for propellant tanks of present H-IIA, the integral tank domes are procured from overseas. To secure the flexibility of launch opportunity and stable quality, the spin formed integral tank domes of H-IIB are developed and provided inside of Japan.

In this paper, overview and current development status of H-IIB is presented. Preliminary design is being proceeded now. And, manufacturing equipments for propellant tanks of H-IIB, which has been already verified thorough development test with prototype manufacturing equipment, are almost completed to install in production facility.

Abstract document

IAC-06-D2.1.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-D2.1.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.