L'étagement optimum des groupes de fusées en fonetionnement parallèle

Abstract

Theoretical analysis of the limiting case where engines and tanks in a clustered booster system can be jettisoned continuously. For a uniform gravitational field the trajectories are shown to consist of constant thrust and decreasing thrust arcs with possible finite thrust discontinuities between constant thrust segments. Under given payload and given intensity and inclination of the terminal velocity vector, the minimal trajectories are determined with respect to initial mass or initial thrust, with or without second stage. © 1961.