Analytical and experimental studies conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center for investigating integrated cryogenic propellant tank systems for a Reusable Launch Vehicle are described. The cryogenic tanks are investigated as an integrated tank system. An integrated tank system includes the tank wall, cryogenic insulation, Thermal Protection System (TPS) attachment sub-structure, and TPS. A...

This paper presents an attitude control algorithm for a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) with a low lift/drag ratio (L/D < 0.5), in the presence of external disturbances, model uncertainties, control output constraints and the thruster model. The main novelty of proposed control strategy is a new combination of the attitude control methods included backstepping, dynamic inversion and adaptive cont...

Abstract This paper presents the network-based modeling, validation and analysis of nonlinear liquid spring damper model under vertical landing conditions reusable launch vehicle. The impedance function is derived first. Then, its mechanical hydraulic networks are newly established based on hydro-mechanical analogy analysis. By comparing between corresponding symmetric asymmetric structures, me...

The U.S. Air Force has long been interested in the next-generation space launch capabilities that might be enabled by high-speed air-breathing propulsion. Since the early 1960's, studies have examined the application of ramjet or dual-mode scramjet propulsion to potential reusable military spaceplane (MSP) concepts. Perceived advantages include flexible basing, flexible operations, hypersonic s...

Advand guidance and control (AG&C) technologies are critical for meeting safety, reliability, and cost requirements for the next generation of reusable launch vehicle (RLV), whether it is fully rocket-powered or has airbreathing components. This becomes clear upon examining the number of expendable launch vehicle failures in the recent past where AG&C technologies could have saved a RLV with th...

NASA’s human lunar and Mars exploration program requires a new transportation system between Earth and the Moon or Mars. In recent years, unfortunately, human space exploration programs have faced myriad political, technical, and financial difficulties. In order to avoid such problems, future human space exploration programs should be designed from the start for affordability. This thesis addre...