Optimal Vehicle Design Using the Integrated System and Cost Modeling Tool Suite

摘要

The Review of the U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee found that the space exploration plans set forth in 2009 were unsustainable and is forcing NASA to rethink its plans and focus on realistic estimates for its programs. The Air Force is facing similar problems due to continuing delays in completing programs and cost overruns. The Constellation program, which was to develop the Ares I, the heavy-lift vehicle Ares V, the Orion capsule, and the Altair lunar lander for manned missions to the moon, was recently cancelled by the Obama Administration in hopes that the commercial space industry can work in tandem with NASA and the Air Force to expand spaceflight. As a result, the development of future launch and space vehicles necessary for spaceflight and solar system exploration will require investing precious resources in the right technology. Multidisciplinary analysis and optimization tools, specifically the Integrated System and Cost Modeling (ISCM) Tool Suite, can be used to provide performance, cost, concept of operations, and risk estimates for reusable and expendable launch vehicles for various space-based missions. A baseline reusable launch vehicle's performance was studied and optimized for minimum gross weight. The result of the study was a 39-percent reduction in weight. Four existing launch vehicles were also studied for validation and verification of the performance, cost, and operations estimates.