Assessment of RBCC-powered VTHL SSTO vehicles

An axisymmetric vertical take-off / horizontal landing (VTHL) vehicle powered by Aerojet Strutjet rocket based combined. cycle (RBCC) engines has been cooperatively designed and assessed by Boeing and Aerojet for a single stage to orbit (SSTO) space station resupply mission as part of NASA’s Airbreathing Launch Vehicle (ABLV) study. Sensitivity of vehicle size to forebody/inlet design, engine thrust-to-weight ratio, flowpath bleed extraction for inlet operability, e and slush vs. liquid hydrogen fuel are also documented. Vehicle takeoff gross weight (TOGW), dry weight, and length are shown for each closed trade study variant.