Deployment dynamics analysis of CALLISTO’s approach and landing system

Prior to landing of reusable space transportation systems, the vehicle’s landing legs needs to be fully deployed to enable a safe landing and further re-use of the space vehicle. During that phase the deployment system has to overcome harsh and challenging environmental conditions. In this study, a numerical simulator is developed in order to investigate these influences on the landing leg deployment dynamics. By means of an extensive aerodynamic database and a broad approach flight domain, the influence of aerodynamics, exhaust plume, and vehicle’s attitude on the deployment dynamics is analyzed. This study shows on the example of the first stage demonstrator CALLISTO (Cooperative Action Leading to Launcher Innovation in Stage Toss back Operations), that thrust level, vehicle attitude, and the deployment system parameters affect the deployment performance.

Mathematical Modeling Methods in Designing Onboard Laser-Ranging Systems of Spacecraft

To perform rendezvous and docking of spacecraft (SC), it is necessary to detect and measure the coordinates of a passive space vehicle (SV) using the onboard aids of an active SV. For this purpose, in addition to radio engineering systems, laser-ranging systems (LRS) are used. A designing process of the onboard LRS for promising spacecraft is currently becoming more complicated and requires taking into account a lot of factors.The authors have developed the PC software to assess capabilities of onboard pulse LRS of spacecraft when working on the nearby or distant space objects that have a diffusely scattering surface, as well as are equipped with the corner reflectors. The software also allows us to calculate the LRS parameters, which, according to GOST R 50723-94, ensure eye-safety in the spectral range of 0.81 ... 1.5 microns in case of accidental irradiation.The energy of the intensifier pulse and the divergence of a sensing beam determine the LRS range and the distance of eye-safe observation, which are the most important indicators to characterize the onboard LRS capabilities. To ensure the best LRS range and safety characteristics simultaneously, it is necessary to solve the problem of multi-criteria optimization.The paper solves the problem of multi-criteria optimization for the maximum LRS range and the eye-safe observation distance by Pareto sets the use of which allows us to avoid uncertainty in choosing a significance of criteria.The results obtained show that the proposed methods can be successfully applied in designing onboard LRS of spacecraft.

Numerical simulation of gas flow in nozzle channels with a central body

The development of a reusable launch system is one of the most promising directions in the development of cosmonautics. World rocket companies are striving to create a space vehicle with improved tactical and technical characteristics. The main task is to ensure the most efficient flight mode of the reusable spacecraft from the point of view of the full load of the injection system. Since the main costs are spent on transporting the fuel of the rocket and its own design, the developers strive to fully load such a system not only when sending into orbit, but also when returning back. The implementation of the idea of a reusable spacecraft entails large energy losses, which suggests the idea of creating a single-stage reusable launch system.