Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Models and Algorithms for Space Launch Vehicles

The paper presents in details the engineering models and optimization algorithms for a Multidisciplinary Design Optimization research framework developed within ESA’s PRESTIGE PhD program. The application focuses on the conceptual design of classical unmanned Expendable Launch Vehicles, with future extensions to the early preliminary detail level and to more complex systems such as manned and reusable vehicles. Results are presented from the validation of the disciplinary models and optimization algorithms. Besides, sensitivity analyses and Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization runs on European test cases (Ariane-5 ECA and VEGA) show how relatively simple models and a mixed global/local optimization approach allow to obtain reasonable results for conceptual level design (10 to 20% errors on global performance figures) with very limited computational effort.

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