Technical Progress of Multiple-Mission Reusable Launch Vehicle SpaceLiner

Abstract

The SpaceLiner ultra-high-speed rocket-propelled passenger transport is in Phase A conceptual design after successful completion of the MRR. The ongoing concept evolution is addressing system aspects of the next configuration release 8. The space transportation role of the SpaceLiner concept as a TSTO-launcher is further refined and suitable precursor steps are investigated. The critical separation of the passenger cabin and rescue capsule and its subsystems are one topic of the paper. The separation process is critically investigated taking into account multi-body dynamics and advanced CFD-simulations. Potential intercontinental flight routes, considering range-safety and sonic boom constraints as well as good reachability from major business centers, are evaluated Extensions to this trajectory model are implemented to investigate the attitude dynamics and related controllability issues of the asymmetric launcher configuration.