Repeating Ground Track Orbits for Reusable Launch Vehicle Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of launching and landing space vehicles, particularly due to the need for large amounts of propellant for repeated maneuvers and the difficulty of achieving precise landings.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a repeating ground track (RGT) orbit that allows a multi-use space vehicle to launch and land at substantially the same location, reducing propellant consumption and enabling precise landings through predictable reentry flight corridors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-use launch vehicle performs repeated maneuvers to change orbit altitude, phase, or inclination, then mission flexibility and adaptability are improved, but propellant consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle performs orbit insertion and initial positioning maneuvers during the launch phase to achieve the target orbit directly, rather than performing multiple separate maneuvers afterward. This preliminary action reduces the total propellant needed for subsequent orbit changes, phase adjustments, and inclination modifications while maintaining mission flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If a space vehicle uses one-time-use launch vehicles, then development and manufacturing complexity is reduced, but operational cost and propellant efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The launch vehicle is designed to land and be recovered after delivering its payload, rather than being destroyed upon use. The vehicle returns to the launch site, undergoes inspection and repairs, and is reused for subsequent missions. This recovery approach reduces operational costs and improves propellant efficiency while managing the complexity through standardized recovery procedures.
3Ease of operation
If a space vehicle lands at a location far from the launch site, then landing safety and operational flexibility are improved, but transportation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The launch site is designed to serve both as the launch location and the landing location. The vehicle lands at or near the launch site after completion of its mission, eliminating the need for long-distance transportation. This self-service approach reduces transportation time and costs while maintaining landing safety through controlled reentry and landing procedures at the familiar launch site infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for a reusable space vehicle to land at substantially the same location as its launching site. The vehicle traveling in a particular orbit, which is a repeating ground track orbit, allows for launching and landing at the same location once per day. The repeating ground track orbits that allow for launching and landing at the same location once per day overfly the launch and landing site once per day. Launching and landing at the same site provides a number of direct advantages. For example, the just-landed vehicle may be transported a relatively short distance to the launch site, reconditioned relatively quickly, and be ready for a quick turn-around launch.