Assessment of a European Reusable VTVL Booster Stage

Abstract

Reusability of launch systems has the potential to strongly impact the launch service market if sufficient reliability and low refurbishment costs can be achieved. This study focuses on the vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) method as currently used by SpaceX. The goal is to determine the impact of this method on a technical, operational and economic level and to identify its potential for a future European reusable launch system with a VTVL booster stage. Therefore, different propellant combinations, stagings, engine cycles and landing methods (downrange landing vs. return to launch site) were considered for a launch system with a reusable VTVL booster stage and a payload capability of 7 tons to GTO (geostationary transfer orbit). The most promising concepts were subjected to a preliminary design loop at subsystem level and are presented in this paper.