Structures for multiple launch configurations of Zenit Launch Vehicle: gained experiences, perspective and aspects of protection against space debris

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Degtyarev ◽  
A. Kushnarov ◽  
N. Kocherga
Keyword(s):  
Space Debris ◽  
Launch Vehicle

Ecological aspect of launch vehicles development by criterion of minimal cost

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 114-119
Author(s):  
A. A. Baldin
Keyword(s):  
Space Debris ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Launch Vehicle ◽  
Rocket Engines ◽  
Launch Vehicles ◽  
Rocket Propulsion ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Maximal Performance ◽  
Stage Separation ◽  
The Future

One of the topical problems in modern aerospace engineering is accordance between ecological requirements and performance of the vehicle. On the other hand, problem of economical efficiency leads to change of the main criterion of designing to the minimization of costs (instead of maximal performance). According to modern trends of “low-cost” vehicles, different concepts of the future cost-effective launch vehicles are considered. It is necessary to validate these concepts according to requirements of ecological safety for the purpose of detection of the dominant launch vehicle configuration. Typical configurations of the future 'low-cost' launch vehicle are presented by 6 conceptual groups (Koelle, 2001). Conceptual group 1 (CG1) is presented by the Ballistic “Single stage to orbit” (SSTO) reusable vehicle. All vehicles which use classical rocketry scheme of the propulsion trajectory are called “Ballistic” i.e. the ballistic vehicle is lifted to orbit under the impact of rocket engines thrust. CG1-vehicle is able to reach the low earth orbit (LEO) without stage separation reducing the number of required rocket engines. Technological feasibility of SSTO concepts is proven by numerous studies (Koelle, 2001). CG2 representatives are ballistic “Two stages to orbit” (TSTO) reusable vehicles. The difference between CG1 and CG2 consists in application of vacuum rocket engines in the second stage  and, consequently, stage separation. CG2 are the most mass-effective vehicles. CG3 is presented by the winged SSTO vehicles with rocket propulsion by “Lifting body” aerodynamic scheme. Ascensional force is provided by the aerodynamic shape of the vehicle’s structure at high speeds. Winged TSTO vehicles with rocket propulsion and parallel or tandem staging form the CG4. The winged configuration provides wide landing capability for both stages. CG5 is presented by winged TSTO vehicles with airbreathing propulsion in the first stage and rocket-propelled second stage. Airbreathing jet engines provide high reusability ratio comparing with other concepts as well as the widest landing capability. Aerospace Plane with scramjet-rocket propulsion forms CG6. The vehicle is able to reach near-cosmic speed in rarefied layers of the atmosphere and then accelerate with rocket engines. The most ecologically important resemblance of represented concepts is reusability. This reduces space debris formation (due to lack of waste hardware). Reusable launch vehicles can also be used to return the spent satellites. Structural differences between the concepts form 3 criterions of comparison by ecological impact: 1) propellant toxicity; 2) safety of surface facilities (vehicle damage inside the atmosphere); 3) probability of space debris formation (vehicle damage outside the atmosphere). Comparison of the concepts by these criterions allows substantiating the most ecologically acceptable direction of research. Results of the comparison demonstrate that the most ecologically acceptable low-cost launch vehicle configuration is: Ballistic SSTO or TSTO reusable launch vehicle with “LOX+LH2” propellant. The results can be explained by following way: combustion products of the propellant “liquid oxygen + liquid hydrogen” are absolutely safe for environment. It also provides maximal performance of rocket engine (due to the highest specific impulse). Ballistic ascent scheme allows using relatively simple technologies and provides high reliability level. In combination with minimal time of atmospheric flight this provides high level of safety for surface facilities. These results may be used for substantiation of dominant research direction.

scholarly journals Models of space object motion based on time series of TLE-elements

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
O.P. Sarychev ◽  
◽  
B.A. Perviy ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Statistical Method ◽  
Space Debris ◽  
Launch Vehicle ◽  
Object Motion ◽  
Autoregressive Models ◽  
Space Object ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
Time Determination

Timely detection of changes in the characteristics of space hardware objects during their long-term operation is one of the main tasks in the development and study of onboard systems that maintain the efficiency of their operation. This paper presents a statistical method for simulating the motion of space objects (spacecraft and used launch vehicle stages) in the class of autoregressive models. The method allows one to improve the quality of description and prediction of the motion of space objects based on simulating time series of their TLE-elements (two-line orbital element sets). The purpose of this work is to increase the accuracy of mathematical models of the observed motion of space objects in the problems of deorbit time determination, satellite collision prediction, and space debris cataloging. The paper presents a system for simulating the motion of space objects, which allows one to determine an optimal amount of learning samples in simulating time series of TLE elements, determine the order of autoregression and find an optimal model structure for each variable element, identify model parameters in conditions of unequally spaced observations, identify features of the time behavior of the root-mean-square errors of the constructed autoregressive models on the basis of dividing the initial time series of TLE-elements into successive learning intervals, and obtain predictive estimates of the values of variable elements. The proposed statistical method of space object motion simulation can be recommended to describe and predict the motion of spacecraft and used launch vehicle stages represented as time series of TLE-elements (which are publicly available and regularly updated). The application of the proposed statistical method will increase the accuracy of mathematical models of the observed motion of space objects in the problems of deorbit time determination, satellite collision prediction, and space debris cataloging.

scholarly journals Launch Vehicle Rendezvous to Catalogued Orbital Debris while Injecting into Highly-Inclined Orbits

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 46-55
Author(s):  
A.V. Golubek ◽  
◽  
N.M. Dron' ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Space Debris ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Launch Vehicle ◽  
Orbital Debris ◽  
Relative Distance ◽  
Statistical Characteristics ◽  
Near Earth Space ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. A constant increase in the amount of space debris already constitutes a significant threat to satellites in nearEarth orbits, starting with the trajectory of their launch vehicle injection. Problem Statement. Design and development of various modern methods of protection against space debris requires knowledge of the statistical characteristics of the distribution of the kinematic parameters of the simultaneous motion of a launch vehicle injecting satellite and a group of space debris objects in the area of its trajectory. Purpose. Development of a mathematical model of a launch vehicle rendezvous with a group of observable orbital debris while injecting a satellite into near-earth orbits with an altitude of up to 2100 km and an inclination from 45 to 90 degrees. Materials and Methods. The following methods are used in the research: analysis, synthesis, comparison, simulation modeling, statistical processing of experimental results, approximation, correlation analysis, and the least squares method. Results. The simultaneous motion of a launch vehicle and a group of space debris objects has been studied. The distributions of relative distance, relative velocity, angle of encounter, and moments of time of approach of a launch vehicle to a group of the observed space debris at a relative distance of less than 5 km have been obtained. The dependence of the average rendezvous concentration on the distribution of space debris across the average altitude of the orbit and the inclination of the target orbit of the launch vehicle has been determined. The dependence of the average probability of rendezvous in the launch on the inclination of the target orbit, the number of orbital debris, and the relative distance of the rendezvous has been determined. Conclusions. The obtained mathematical model of rendezvous of a launch vehicle with a group of observed orbital debris can be used while designing means of cleaning the near-Earth space and systems to protect modern satellite launch vehicles from orbital debris. In addition, the results of the research can be used to assess the impact of unobserved orbital debris on the flight of a launch vehicle.

scholarly journals Launch Vehicle Rendezvous to Catalogued Orbital Debris while Injecting into Highly-Inclined Orbits

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 46-55
Author(s):  
A.V. Golubek ◽  
◽  
N.M. Dron' ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Space Debris ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Launch Vehicle ◽  
Orbital Debris ◽  
Relative Distance ◽  
Statistical Characteristics ◽  
Near Earth Space ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. A constant increase in the amount of space debris already constitutes a significant threat to satellites in nearEarth orbits, starting with the trajectory of their launch vehicle injection. Problem Statement. Design and development of various modern methods of protection against space debris requires knowledge of the statistical characteristics of the distribution of the kinematic parameters of the simultaneous motion of a launch vehicle injecting satellite and a group of space debris objects in the area of its trajectory. Purpose. Development of a mathematical model of a launch vehicle rendezvous with a group of observable orbital debris while injecting a satellite into near-earth orbits with an altitude of up to 2100 km and an inclination from 45 to 90 degrees. Materials and Methods. The following methods are used in the research: analysis, synthesis, comparison, simulation modeling, statistical processing of experimental results, approximation, correlation analysis, and the least squares method. Results. The simultaneous motion of a launch vehicle and a group of space debris objects has been studied. The distributions of relative distance, relative velocity, angle of encounter, and moments of time of approach of a launch vehicle to a group of the observed space debris at a relative distance of less than 5 km have been obtained. The dependence of the average rendezvous concentration on the distribution of space debris across the average altitude of the orbit and the inclination of the target orbit of the launch vehicle has been determined. The dependence of the average probability of rendezvous in the launch on the inclination of the target orbit, the number of orbital debris, and the relative distance of the rendezvous has been determined. Conclusions. The obtained mathematical model of rendezvous of a launch vehicle with a group of observed orbital debris can be used while designing means of cleaning the near-Earth space and systems to protect modern satellite launch vehicles from orbital debris. In addition, the results of the research can be used to assess the impact of unobserved orbital debris on the flight of a launch vehicle.

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