Reusable launch system
- 1. Technical Seminar On REUSABLE LAUNCH SYSTEM Presented by: Balaji Jadhav
- 2. WHAT IS REUSABLE LAUNCH SYSTEM ? • A Reusable Launch System (RLS) is a space launch vehicle which can be used for several space missions. • A Reusable Launch System is the space analog of the aircraft. The main objective is to return the first stage/boosters of a launch vehicle at the launch site. • The main advantage of RLS is that it can be used multiple times, hopefully with low servicing cost. A successful RLS will decreases the missions cost and make space travel more accessible.
- 3. BEFORE RLS • The parts which move at a very high velocity shred into smaller pieces while entering the earth's atmosphere and are usually made up of light and thin aluminium. • Some small parts go around orbit of earth which increase debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). • When the boosters run out of fuel, they are detached from the rest of the rocket (usually with some kind of small explosive charge) and fall away. The first stage then burns to completion and falls off.
- 4. HISTORY • The thought of RLS was proposed in 1950’s, but serious attempts of RLS started at 1990’s with the space shuttle programme. • Space shuttle was an reusable launch vehicle (RLV) which flew into the space with the help of two rocket boosters and then used to glides back down like an aircraft. • It was intended to reduce launch costs below those of expendable launch systems, but instead ended up being more expensive. The last Shuttle was retired in 2011.
- 6. TODAY • SpaceX is a recent player in private launch market succeeding in converting its falcon 9 expandable rocket into partially reusable rocket by returning the first stage of reuse in 2015. • Blue Origin New Shepard rocket became the first proven Vertical Take-off Vertical Landing (VTVL) which can reach space upto 100.5 km. • Government space agencies such as NASA, ISRO, ESA and ROSCOSMOS are also developing in field of RLS for future space missions which will make it more affordable.
- 8. DESIGN OF FALCON 9 • Function: Orbital Launch Vehicle • Height: 70 ft • Stages: 2 • Payload: 22,800 Kg • Engine: First Stage (9) - Merlin 1D+ Second Stage (1) - Merlin 1D Vacuum+ • Fuel: RP-1 & Liquid Oxygen • Thrust: First Stage - 7,607 KN Second Stage - 934 KN • Material: aluminium-lithium alloy
- 9. HOW IT WORKS ?
- 11. CO$T
- 13. Ariane 5 ECA ($165-220M) Payload Capacity – 16,000 Kg Falcon 9 ($50-62M) Payload Capacity – 22,800 Kg
- 14. CONCLUSION • Highest development cost and technical risks. • Technology is within current state of art. • More promising then ever before. • Cost for launching becomes much cheaper as it reduces material cost due to reusability. • Future RLV should be constructed within low cost and use cryogenic engine for all stages.
- 16. THANK YOU………