ANALYSIS OF VTVL AND VTHL REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE CONFIGURATIONS

Abstract

The German Aerospace Centre (DLR) is conducting systematic analyses of reusable space transportation configurations. Two-stage vertical take-off vertical landing (VTVL) and winged, vertical take-off horizontal landing (VTHL) partially reusable launcher configurations are systematically analyzed. The investigated configurations consider reusable first stages that either perform a return to launch site or land down range of the launch site. The propellant combinations analyzed include LOX/LH2, LOX/LCH4 and LOX/RP-1. Staged combustion and gas generator cycle engines are taken into account. The same type of engines with different expansion ratios are used on the reusable first stages and the expendable upper stages. Major analysis objectives are the comparison of various reusable launch vehicle configurations under similar design assumptions as well as the identification of their critical aspects, benefits and drawbacks.