EFFECTS OF RELAXED STATIC LONGITUDINAL STABILITY ON A SINGLE-STAGE-TO-ORBIT VEHICLE DESIGN

摘要

The effects of relaxing longitudinal stability requirements on single-stage-to-orbit space vehicles were studied by comparing the mass and performance characteristics of two vehicles, one designed for positive levels of longi¬tudinal stability and the other designed with relaxed stability requirements in a computer-aided design process. Both vehicles were required to meet the same mission characteristics. Wind-tunnel tests were conducted over a Mach number range from 0.3 to 4.63 to verify estimated aerodynamic characteristics.