Fundamentals and Issues in Launch Vehicle Design

The fundamentals of launch vehicle design are examined using simpliŽ ed single-stage, two-stage, and Space Shuttle performance equations. The single-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle is very sensitive to the performancecritical parameters of mass efŽ ciency, propulsion efŽ ciency, and loss management. Cost and operations coupled in the performance equation further complicates the design process. Launch vehicle design is optimized when the performance and programmaticdrivers are balanced. Programmaticdrivers include affordability, reusability, operability,abort/safety, and reliability. The issues, disciplines, and potential problems that characterize the building of a future launch system are presented. The history of the Space Shuttle is used as the benchmark example. Robustness is the key to uncoupling the design factors so that optimization can occur, but typically robust designs deŽ ne low-performance systems. Future space launch vehiclesmust develop new technologies to reshape the design parameter sensitivities of the robustness and performance functions.