Horizontal Launch: A Versatile Concept for Assured Space Access Report of the NASA-DARPA Horizontal Launch Study Horizontal Launch: A Versatile Concept for Assured Space Access Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited according to the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (STI case 4418) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DISTAR case 18287). Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Horizontal launch: a versatile concept for assured space access / Paul A. Bartolotta, Elizabeth Buchen, Walter C. Engelund, Lawrence D. Huebner, Paul L. Moses, Mark Schaffer, Randall T. Voland, David F. Voracek, Alan W. Wilhite ISBN 978-0-9798095-4-5 1. Horizontal launch 2. Assured space access 3. Future space capable vehicles NASA SP 2011-215994 Printed in the United States of America December 2011 ii HORIZONTAL LAUNCH Table of Contents Foreword ..............................................................................................................................................................................................v Preface..................................................................................................................................................................................................vii Executive Summary .........................................................................................................................................................................xi Chapter 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................1 Study Approach................................................................................................................................................................................................1 Selection and Definition of Figures of Merit ........................................................................................................................................2 Selection of Common Requirements ......................................................................................................................................................3 Survey of Horizontal Launch System Concepts ...................................................................................................................................4 Chapter 2. Prescreening ..................................................................................................................................................................5 Weighting the FOMs .....................................................................................................................................................................................11 Analyzing Economic Feasibility .............................................................................................................................................................. 13 Choosing a Carrier Aircraft ....................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Choosing a Launch Vehicle Configuration ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Results of the Prescreening Analysis ......................................................................................................................................................17 Chapter 3. Screening ......................................................................................................................................................................19 Methodologies for Concept Screening ............................................................................................................................................... 19 Analysis of Carrier Aircraft Alternatives ...............................................................................................................................................20 Analysis of Launch Vehicle Alternatives ..............................................................................................................................................23 Results of the Screening Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................... 24 Chapter 4. Point Designs ...............................................................................................................................................................27 Methodologies for Point Designs .......................................................................................................................................................... 27 Point Design Definitions ...........................................................................................................................................................................28 Weight Breakdown Comparisons ...........................................................................................................................................................28 Reliability Comparisons..............................................................................................................................................................................36 Costs Comparisons .......................................................................................................................................................................................36 Summary of Point Design System Concepts ..................................................................................................................................... 37 Chapter 5. Technology Trades.....................................................................................................................................................41 Methodologies .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 41 Selection of Included Technologies ..................................................................................................................................................... 42 Structures ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Subsystem—Shape Memory Alloy Actuators .................................................................................................................................. 43 Propulsion........................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Manufacturing ...............................................................................................................................................................................................45 Operations .......................................................................................................................................................................................................46 Summary of Technology Trade Results ............................................................................................................................................... 47 Chapter 6. Flight Test System Concepts ..................................................................................................................................53 Flight Test System Concept Configurations ....................................................................................................................................... 53 Weight Breakdown Analyses ....................................................................................................................................................................58 Trajectory and Separation Analyses ...................................................................................................................................................... 59 Reliability Comparisons.............................................................................................................................................................................. 59 Cost Analyses..................................................................................................................................................................................................60 Summary of Flight Test System Concepts...........................................................................................................................................60 A veRSATILE CONCepT FOR ASSURed spACE ACCess iii Table of Contents Chapter 7. Summary of Results .................................................................................................................................................. 63 Cost per Pound of Payload........................................................................................................................................................................64 Technology Block Upgrades ....................................................................................................................................................................65 Decision