X-37B is a reusable unmanned lifting body vehicle designed by the Boeing company whose detailed mission received wide attention and guesswork. The X-37B orbit vehicle OTV has conducted several orbital transfers and orbital plane transfes. It is assumed that X-37B may descend into the lower orbit with low atmosphere density and conduct large range aeroassisted orbital plane transfer. The aeroassisted orbit transfer process is analyzed. During the atmospheric flight arc, the lateral maneuvering for changing the orbit inclination is achieved by adjusting bank angle. The aerodynamic force is calculated with CFD code, providing input for the dynamic model of flight in the atmosphere. The method for calculating the characteristic velocity and fuel consumption is derived. Aeroassisted orbit plane transfer for different reentry angle is simulated. Orbit inclination change, characteristic velocity and fuel consumption is calculated and compared to impulse orbit transfer. It is concluded that, compared to impulse orbit transfer, aeroassisted orbital plane transfer of an X-37B-like vehicle is theoretically capable of changing the orbit inclination, but costs more fuel and time and causes more difficulties.The applicability of aeroassisted orbital plane transfer needs to be proved.%X-37B是美国波音公司制造的一种可重复使用无人升力体飞行器,其具体任务一直备受关注和猜测.X-37B轨道试验飞行器曾多次进行轨道面内和面外机动.外界猜测X-37B可能降低轨道高度,进入有稀薄大气的高度,利用气动力大幅度横跨轨道飞行.文章分析了气动力辅助异面变轨的过程,其中在大气层内飞行段通过调整倾侧角实现侧向机动,从而改变轨道倾角.利用计算流体动力学软件计算其在高马赫数值下的气动力,为大气层内飞行动力学模型提供输入,推导气动力辅助异面变轨特征速度和推进剂消耗量的计算方法.针对不同再入角进行气动力辅助异面变轨仿真,计算轨道倾角改变量、特征速度和推进剂消耗量,并与冲量变轨比较.结果表明:类X-37B飞行器气动力辅助变轨在理论上具备一定改变轨道倾角的能力,但比冲量变轨消耗更多推进剂,变轨过程所需时间较长,相比于冲量变轨难度增大,工程实施可行性值得商榷.
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