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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
Trim Drag Reduction Concepts for Horizontal Takeoff Single-Stage-To-Orbit Vehicles

Trim Drag Reduction Concepts for Horizontal Takeoff Single-Stage-To-Orbit Vehicles

Nasa, National Aeronautics and Space Adm

Paperback

Astronomy & Space

Currently unavailable to order

ISBN10: 1728803993
ISBN13: 9781728803999
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Oct 15 2018
Pages: 36
Weight: 0.24
Height: 0.07 Width: 8.50 Depth: 11.02
Language: English
The results of a study to investigate concepts for minimizing trim drag of horizontal takeoff single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicles are presented. A generic hypersonic airbreathing conical configuration was used as the subject aircraft. The investigation indicates that extreme forward migration of the aerodynamic center as the vehicle accelerates to orbital velocities causes severe aerodynamic instability and trim moments that must be counteracted. Adequate stability can be provided by active control of elevons and rudder, but use of elevons to produce trim moments results in excessive trim drag and fuel consumption. To alleviate this problem, two solution concepts are examined. Active control of the center of gravity (COG) location to track the aerodynamic center decreases trim moment requirements, reduces elevon deflections, and leads to significant fuel savings. Active control of the direction of the thrust vector produces required trim moments, reduces elevon deflections, and also results in significant fuel savings. It is concluded that the combination of active flight control to provide stabilization, (COG) position control to minimize trim moment requirements, and thrust vectoring to generate required trim moments has the potential to significantly reduce fuel consumption during ascent to orbit of horizontal takeoff SSTO vehicles. Shaughnessy, John D. and Gregory, Irene M. Langley Research Center RTOP 505-64-40-01...

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