How Small Can a Launch Vehicle Be?

Conference · Thu Jun 23 00:00:00 EDT 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2005-4506· OSTI ID:875650

Whitehead, J C

Trajectory simulations from Earth to orbit indicate comparative velocity requirements depending on vehicle size, for several propellant options. Smaller vehicles are more affected by drag, resulting in steeper trajectories that require more total velocity. Although they are technically challenging, launch vehicles smaller than 1 ton are not ruled out by the nature of ascent trajectories.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 875650
• Report Number(s): UCRL-CONF-213232
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
PROPULSION
TRAJECTORIES
VELOCITY