Preliminary Analysis of Three Stage to Orbit Configurations including Winged Reusable First Stages

Kurzfassung

In the frame of XTRAS system studies three-stage configurations carrying 7.5 t to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) have been analyzed. This report documents amongst others mass models, aerodynamic design as well as ascent and first stage descent trajectories. The first stage separation Mach numbers 6, 9 and 12 have been selected. Two first stage return options namely stage fly-back with air-breathing engines and stage in-air capturing have been analyzed.