Performance assessment of aero-assisted orbital transfer vehicles
Abstract
Aero-assisted orbital transfer vehicles are analyzed. The aerodynamic characteristics over the flight profile and three- and six-degree-of-freedom performance analyses were determined. The important results, to date, are: (1) the aerodynamic preliminary analysis system, an interactive computer program, used to predict the aerodynamics (performance, stability, and control) for these vehicles; (2) the performance capability, e.g., maximum inclination change, maximum heating rate, and maximum sensed acceleration, can be determined using continuum aerodynamics only; (3) guidance schemes can be developed that allow for errors in atmospheric density prediction, mispredicted trim angle of attack, and off-nominal atmospheric interface conditions, even for vehicles with a low lift-to-drag ratio; and (4) multiple pass trajectories can be used to reduce the maximum heating rate.
- Publication:
-
OTV Propulsion Issues
- Pub Date:
- April 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984otvp.rept...41P
- Keywords:
-
- Aeroassist;
- Aerodynamic Characteristics;
- Computer Programs;
- Orbit Transfer Vehicles;
- Aerobraking;
- Algorithms;
- Degrees Of Freedom;
- Performance Prediction;
- Spacecraft Trajectories;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles