Mission studies to reduce aerodynamic loads for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
Abstract
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) being developed by India uses six solid strap-on motors for thrust augmentation and these burn along with the solid core booster. The ignition sequence of the strap-on motors and trajectory when designed to maximize the payload, leads to high dynamic pressure and larger aerodynamic loads. Reduction in the aerodynamic loads is found possible by either reducing the dynamic pressure or the angle of attack or both. Studies and detailed analysis show that the aerodynamic loads as well as control force demands reduce with proper ignition sequence of strap-on motors due to the reduction in dynamic pressure by 35 percent. If in addition, wind biased trajectory is adopted, the angle of attack decreases by 30 percent. Details of various studies to reduce the aerodynamic loads for PSLV are presented.
- Publication:
-
Dresden International Astronautical Federation Congress
- Pub Date:
- October 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990dres.iafcS....S
- Keywords:
-
- Aerodynamic Loads;
- Angle Of Attack;
- Dynamic Pressure;
- Launch Vehicle Configurations;
- Polar Orbits;
- Solid Propellant Rocket Engines;
- Indian Space Program;
- Solid Propellant Ignition;
- Thrust Augmentation;
- Astrodynamics