Multidisciplinary Design Optimization to Future Space Transportation Vehicles

Abstract

Many candidate concepts of future reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) have been proposed in the world. From the present technology level, however, it is difficult to realize the RLVs. This requires multidisciplinary analysis and optimization, which is a methodology to cooperate among the disciplines and find the best system and design. This paper presents the method to integrate analysis tools in a conceptual design process and to apply an optimization method, and shows some examples of the optimal RLV concepts. The vehicle concepts in this study are classified in the number of stages, takeoff styles, and whether air-breathing engines are installed or not. Feasibility of each concept is demonstrated.