Optimization of Current Space Transportation Systems for Low Earth Orbit
- Paper number
IAC-07-D2.4.01
- Author
Mr. Karanjeet Singh, PlanetSpace Inc., Canada
- Coauthor
Dr. Chirnjeev Kathuria, PlanetSpace Inc., United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Geoff Sheerin, PlanetSpace Inc., United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The space industry needs a cost effective means of reaching low Earth orbit. This can be accomplished by designing a cost effective transportation system by optimizing existing technology. The most important part of a launch system is its propulsion system. It is also the most expensive system of a launcher. This paper will focus on existing launch vehicles and how can they be optimized using current available technology and by mating existing technologies and to generate an optimized Space transportation system. The focus will be on the optimization of main design parameters such as number of stages, distribution of propellants for each stage, thrust of engines and also will analyze different architectural schemes of launch vehicles for advanced space transportation systems. This will include coming up with concepts such as combinations of different liquid and/or solid propulsion options and with hypersonic propulsion, air breathing and rocket based combined cycle engines (RBCC). By mating technologies from different countries, international cooperation will be instigated. Technological and political issues will have to be overcome and will be briefly looked into in this paper.
- Abstract document