Separation Characteristics of a Two-Stage-To-Orbit Winged Rocket by Aerodynamic Interaction Analysis

Tsuyoshi Otsuki, Takahiro Fujikawa, Koichi Yonemoto

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The booster and orbiter stages of two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) launch vehicles are separated at supersonic or hypersonic speed regimes under non-negligible dynamic pressure. An aerodynamic interaction exists between the vehicles during the aforementioned separation phase owing to the presence of complicated flow fields with shock wave (SW) interactions. Therefore, the separation operation and attitude control considering such interactions are crucial. In this study, the construction of a database comprising aerodynamic characteristics based on the results obtained using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is discussed. Based on the results obtained through CFD analysis, the pitch-up and pitch-down moments act on the orbiter and booster stages, respectively when two vehicles are located close. This makes the two vehicles move away from each other. By contrast, the pitch-down and pitch-up moments act on the orbiter and booster stages, respectively, when the two vehicles are located far. The aerodynamic interaction affects the pitching moment may reverse during the separation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Proceedings of the 2021 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology APISAT 2021, Volume 1
EditorsSangchul Lee, Cheolheui Han, Jeong-Yeol Choi, Seungkeun Kim, Jeong Ho Kim
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages541-554
Number of pages14
ISBN (Print)9789811926884
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
EventAsia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, APISAT 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: 15 Nov 202117 Nov 2021

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Electrical Engineering
Volume912
ISSN (Print)1876-1100
ISSN (Electronic)1876-1119

Conference

ConferenceAsia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, APISAT 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period15/11/2117/11/21

Keywords

  • Aerodynamic interaction
  • Hypersonic
  • Separation
  • Two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Separation Characteristics of a Two-Stage-To-Orbit Winged Rocket by Aerodynamic Interaction Analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this