A Critical Parameter Optimization of Launch Vehicle Costs

A parametric analysis aimed at minimizing costs of payload to low earth orbit is undertaken. By identifying a range of payload sizes, the effects of manipulating a number of critical parameters involving vehicle configurations on payload costs were examined…

Contents

1 Introduction
2 Background and Literature Review
2.1 Launch Vehicle Market
2.2 Launch Vehicle Cost Modeling
2.2.1 TRANSCOST
2.2.2 TRASIM
2.2.3 NASA Cost Estimating
2.2.4 Cost Models Comments
2.3 Launch Vehicle Architecture
2.4 Cost discounting background
3 Methodology and Mission Model
3.1 Mission Model
3.2 Methodology
3.3 Baseline Case
4 Variation of Parameters and Results
4.1 Inert mass fraction
4.1.1 Vehicle inert mass economy of scale
4.1.2 Variable inert mass fraction
4.1.3 Airbreathing first stages
4.2 Refurbishment fraction and number of flights per vehicle
5 Advanced Cost Analysis
5.1 Modularity
5.1.1 Modularity methodology
5.1.2 Inert mass fraction and operations cost complexity factors
5.1.2.1 Inert mass fraction complexity factors
5.1.2.2 Operations cost complexity factors
5.1.3 Revised modularity costs
5.1.4 Expendable Launch Vehicles with Modularity
5.1.5 Changes of optimum velocity change split
5.1.6 Modular staging
5.2 Cost discounting
5.2.1 Cost Discounting Methodology
5.2.2 Cost discounting application
5.2.3 Cost discounting and modularity
6 Future Work and Conclusions
6.1 Future Work
6.2 Conclusions
Bibliography

Author: Herrmann, Todd

Source: University of Maryland

Download URL 2: Visit Now

Leave a Comment