Preliminary Sizing of a Vertical-Takeoff–Horizontal-Landing TSTO Launch Vehicle Using Multidisciplinary Analysis Optimization
The vertical-takeoff–horizontal-landing (VTHL) two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) system is a kind of novel launch vehicle in which a reusable first stage can take off vertically like a rocket and land horizontally like an airplane. The advantage of the VTHL TSTO vehicle is that the launch costs can be reduc...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Aerospace |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/7/567 |
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| author | Xiaoyu Xu Xinrui Fang Xiongqing Yu |
| author_facet | Xiaoyu Xu Xinrui Fang Xiongqing Yu |
| author_sort | Xiaoyu Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The vertical-takeoff–horizontal-landing (VTHL) two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) system is a kind of novel launch vehicle in which a reusable first stage can take off vertically like a rocket and land horizontally like an airplane. The advantage of the VTHL TSTO vehicle is that the launch costs can be reduced significantly due to its reusable first stage. This paper presents an application of multidisciplinary analysis optimization on preliminary sizing in conceptual design of the VTHL TSTO vehicle. The VTHL TSTO concept is evaluated by multidisciplinary analysis, including geometry, propulsion, aerodynamics, mass, trajectory, and static stability. The preliminary sizing of the VTHL TSTO vehicle is formulated as a multidisciplinary optimization problem. The focus of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the first-stage reusability and propellant selection on the staging altitude and velocity, size, and mass of the VTHL TSTO vehicles. The observations from the results show that the velocity and altitude of the optimal staging point are determined mainly by the reusability of the first stage, which in turn affects the size and mass of the upper stage and the first stage. The first stage powered by hydrocarbon fuel has a lower dry mass compared with that powered by liquid hydrogen. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-112eed1ebd2b495e9c25557ee3e94afb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2226-4310 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerospace |
| spelling | doaj-art-112eed1ebd2b495e9c25557ee3e94afb2025-08-20T03:36:18ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102025-06-0112756710.3390/aerospace12070567Preliminary Sizing of a Vertical-Takeoff–Horizontal-Landing TSTO Launch Vehicle Using Multidisciplinary Analysis OptimizationXiaoyu Xu0Xinrui Fang1Xiongqing Yu2College of Aerospace Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaAVIC Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, Chengdu 610091, ChinaCollege of Aerospace Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaThe vertical-takeoff–horizontal-landing (VTHL) two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) system is a kind of novel launch vehicle in which a reusable first stage can take off vertically like a rocket and land horizontally like an airplane. The advantage of the VTHL TSTO vehicle is that the launch costs can be reduced significantly due to its reusable first stage. This paper presents an application of multidisciplinary analysis optimization on preliminary sizing in conceptual design of the VTHL TSTO vehicle. The VTHL TSTO concept is evaluated by multidisciplinary analysis, including geometry, propulsion, aerodynamics, mass, trajectory, and static stability. The preliminary sizing of the VTHL TSTO vehicle is formulated as a multidisciplinary optimization problem. The focus of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the first-stage reusability and propellant selection on the staging altitude and velocity, size, and mass of the VTHL TSTO vehicles. The observations from the results show that the velocity and altitude of the optimal staging point are determined mainly by the reusability of the first stage, which in turn affects the size and mass of the upper stage and the first stage. The first stage powered by hydrocarbon fuel has a lower dry mass compared with that powered by liquid hydrogen.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/7/567reusable launch vehiclevertical takeoff–horizontal landingtwo-stage-to-orbitpreliminary sizingconceptual designmultidisciplinary analysis optimization |
| spellingShingle | Xiaoyu Xu Xinrui Fang Xiongqing Yu Preliminary Sizing of a Vertical-Takeoff–Horizontal-Landing TSTO Launch Vehicle Using Multidisciplinary Analysis Optimization Aerospace reusable launch vehicle vertical takeoff–horizontal landing two-stage-to-orbit preliminary sizing conceptual design multidisciplinary analysis optimization |
| title | Preliminary Sizing of a Vertical-Takeoff–Horizontal-Landing TSTO Launch Vehicle Using Multidisciplinary Analysis Optimization |
| title_full | Preliminary Sizing of a Vertical-Takeoff–Horizontal-Landing TSTO Launch Vehicle Using Multidisciplinary Analysis Optimization |
| title_fullStr | Preliminary Sizing of a Vertical-Takeoff–Horizontal-Landing TSTO Launch Vehicle Using Multidisciplinary Analysis Optimization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Preliminary Sizing of a Vertical-Takeoff–Horizontal-Landing TSTO Launch Vehicle Using Multidisciplinary Analysis Optimization |
| title_short | Preliminary Sizing of a Vertical-Takeoff–Horizontal-Landing TSTO Launch Vehicle Using Multidisciplinary Analysis Optimization |
| title_sort | preliminary sizing of a vertical takeoff horizontal landing tsto launch vehicle using multidisciplinary analysis optimization |
| topic | reusable launch vehicle vertical takeoff–horizontal landing two-stage-to-orbit preliminary sizing conceptual design multidisciplinary analysis optimization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/7/567 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xiaoyuxu preliminarysizingofaverticaltakeoffhorizontallandingtstolaunchvehicleusingmultidisciplinaryanalysisoptimization AT xinruifang preliminarysizingofaverticaltakeoffhorizontallandingtstolaunchvehicleusingmultidisciplinaryanalysisoptimization AT xiongqingyu preliminarysizingofaverticaltakeoffhorizontallandingtstolaunchvehicleusingmultidisciplinaryanalysisoptimization |