Analysis of SpaceLiner Cabin geometric design and accommodation

Kurzfassung

This thesis investigates the cabin design of the SpaceLiner 8.0, an innovative hypersonic suborbital passenger transport concept developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Designed to drastically reduce intercontinental travel time, such as enabling flights from Europe to Australia in less than 90 minutes, the SpaceLiner introduces unprecedented challenges in aerospace engineering. These include extreme thermal loads, structural stress during high-speed re-entry, complex system integration, and strict safety requirements for both crew and passengers. The research focuses primarily on the geometric configuration of the SpaceLiner cabin and the integration of critical onboard systems, with an emphasis on passenger accommodation and overall system feasibility. Key subsystems examined include the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) and luggage compartments, both of which require compact, lightweight, yet functionally robust designs. The study evaluates their placement within the fuselage, especially in the underfloor space, to optimize center of gravity, spatial efficiency, and safety under high acceleration conditions. Several iterations of the SpaceLiner design, notably versions 7-2 and 7-3, are analysed to understand how previous design decisions informed current baselines. Earlier configurations provided valuable aerodynamic data and preliminary structural insights but revealed limitations in terms of control, emergency evacuation systems, and thermal protection. More recent designs have addressed these shortcomings with advancements such as integrated active water-based transpiration cooling and enhanced structural integrity. The thesis also explores advanced aerodynamic concepts such as morphing wings developed within the European HYPMOCES project. Although promising in terms of improving flight control during emergency capsule separation, these designs present reliability and complexity concerns that currently prevent their adoption in the baseline configuration. Finally, this work considers the broader environmental and ethical implications of hypersonic commercial flight. While such technologies promise revolutionary advances in mobility, they raise questions related to sustainability, emissions, and social equity in access to highspeed transport. The findings contribute to the evolving field of high-speed aerospace transportation by identifying design trade-offs, proposing feasible improvements, and framing future research directions within both a technical and societal context.