Variations of Solid Rocket Motor Preliminary Design for Small TSTO launcher

Abstract

Several combinations of solid rocket motors and ignition strategies have been considered for a small Two Stage to Orbit (TSTO) launch vehicle based on a big solid rocket motor first stage and cryogenic upper stage propelled by the Vinci engine. In order to reach the target payload performance of about 1400 kg into GTO for the clean version and 2700 to 3000 kg for the boosted version, the influence of the selected solid rocket motors on the upper stage structure has been studied. Preliminary structural designs have been performed and the thrust histories of the solid rocket motor have been tweaked to limit the upper stage structural mass. First stage and booster combinations with acceptable general loads are proposed.