Exploration in Booster Reuse Employing Aerosurfaces

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel reusable rocket design employing deployable aerosurfaces, detailing the design process, stability analysis, and feasibility studies for a booster based on Energia 2 with wings.

Contribution

It introduces a new booster reuse concept with deployable wings, including detailed design, stability analysis, and scalability assessment using computational tools.

Findings

Design achieves stable flight at 0-5 degrees angle of attack

Scalability from Energia 2 to new booster is feasible

Structural and flight tests are planned for validation

Abstract

A new idea for reusing rockets, based on the Energia 2 launch vehicle, using deployable wings is proposed. A mission design is planned with an expected maximum altitude of 500 m. Following that systems engineering was used to manage the design process of separate components, which in turn led to the manufacturing plans for the separate components. The sizing studies were used to determine how big each component would need to be, and a weight and balances sheet was used to determine the position of the wings for optimal static margin and stability percentage. A derivation was made using basic Newtonian mechanics for determining the maximum mass of the rocket given a target altitude. Following that Computer Assisted Design (CAD) drawings were created of critical components before outlining the necessary structural tests and the flight test plan. A MatLab script to determine static stability was used which confirmed the stability of the booster at angle of attacks from 0 to 5 degrees. A MatLab script to determine glide ratio and range was used on the booster and Energia 2 to show scalability, and which was found feasible.