LIFT-OFF

AERODYNAMIC
CHARACTERIZATION
OF RLV-TSTO

Done By

Guided by: Ms AMBILY PN

JISHI P P
ARAVIND I B
ARUN JOSHI K
ANU SUGATHAN

ABSTRACT
The cost of access to space is the major deterrent in space
exploration and space utilisation. A RLV is the unanimous
solution to achieve low cost reliable and on-demand space
access. ISRO is developing fully RLV technology for TSTO
capability.

This

project

deals

with

the

aerodynamic

characterisation of RLV-TSTO during its lift-off phase. During

Lift-off, the wind can blow in any direction, the aerodynamic
loads acting on the vehicle depends on the blockage of wind due
to the Umbilical Tower and also on the turbulent wake caused
due to it. To study the effect of launch pad on aerodynamic
coefficients, tests needs to be carried out with and without the
LP using commercially available CFD software.

OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of Launch Pad on aerodynamic
coefficients.
To study the effect of wind on the launch vehicle during
lift-off.
To study the effect of ground proximity on aerodynamic
coefficients.
To study the effect of AOA on aerodynamic coefficients

SIGNIFICANCE OF AN
RLV
A reusable launch vehicle is the unanimous solution to
achieve low cost reliable and on-demand space access.
An RLV may be able to offer a new range of services, such
as retrieval of satellites from orbit, rapid passenger or
package services to many points of the globe, and tourism
services that may carry civilians into space for
entertainment.
Space Transportation is one of the key future Technology
for a country like India. A low cost and quick access to the
space plays a vital role in determining the domination of
Space Industry.
ISRO is developing fully reusable launch vehicle (RLV)
technology for two stage to orbit (TSTO) capability.

POSSIBLE TSTO
CONFIGURATION OPTIONS

THE BEST CONFIGURATION

RLV-TSTO
The booster stage being sub-orbital, calls
for larger range requirement. Considering
the range requirement & propellant
loading requirement, a winged body
configuration is chosen for the booster.
The wing body was found to be better
option for upper stage due to the lower
heating rates and higher aerodynamic
efficiency.
Hence a re-usable TSTO with both stages
as winged body was selected.

The first stage will be powered by a semi cryogenic winged booster and
re-enters the atmosphere at suborbital velocities to be recovered at a
downrange station.

The second stage will be cryogenic. It will deliver the satellite into orbit,
de-orbit, re enter the atmosphere and land on the runway at SDSCSHAR like a conventional aircraft.

RLV-TSTO vehicle is expected to place 11t payload in 400km circular

orbit (LEO).

A typical RLV-TSTO mission consists of lift-off, ascent, separation,

descent phase and landing. The lift-off aerodynamic characterization of
Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator Vehicle has been
done earlier. In a similar sense our project deals with the aerodynamic
characterisation of RLV-TSTO during its lift-off phase.

IN OUR PROJECT

TO STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF LAUNCH PAD ON

AERODYNAMIC COEFFICIENTS.

To study the effect of launch pad on aerodynamic coefficients, tests are to

be carried out with and without the launch pad. The tests are planned to be
done by using commercially available Computational Fluid Dynamics
software.

TO STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF GROUND

PROXIMITY ON AERODYNAMIC COEFFICIENTS.

In order to study the effect of ground proximity on aerodynamic

coefficients, tests are to be carried out by varying the height of the model
from the launch pedestal. The values of aerodynamic coefficients due to
the wind are to be found out when the model is at different height from
the launch pedestal. The values are to be taken till the model clears the
launch tower. The values obtained must be compared with that of the
model alone configuration.

TO STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF WIND ON

THE LAUNCH VEHICLE DURING LIFT-OFF.

To study the effect of wind on the launch vehicle during lift-off,

tests are to be carried out by changing the direction of wind from 0
to 360 insteps of 5. During the tests, angle of attack faced by the
vehicle is always 90.

TO STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF AOA ON

AERODYNAMIC COEFFICIENTS

In order to assess the effect of angle of attack on aerodynamic

coefficients, tests are to be carried out without launch pad for
different angles of attack (). The model roll orientation, () is
varied from 0 to 90 in steps of 22.5. Effect of angle of attack
obtained from these tests are appropriately super imposed on the
vertical mounting aero data (with Launch Pad) to generate the final
aero coefficients during lift-off phase for different heights of the
model from the ground level.

SIGN
CONVENTI
ON OF
FORCES
AND
MOMENTS

DIMENSIO
NS OF
BOOSTER

1D=5400mm

DIMENSIO
NS OF
ORBITER

CURRENT STATUS
During the first phase of the project, we have done
a detailed literature survey regarding lift-off
aerodynamic characteristics of launch vehicles and
collected sufficient information and necessary data,
including specifications and dimensions of RLVTSTO.
Further we have prepared an action plan to carry
out the project in the next semester.

THE NEXT STEP

Generation of the 3D model of RLV-TSTO in Catia or

Solidworks software.
Generation of the 3D model of Launch Pad.
Analysis of the model in Fluent software to study the
variation of aerodynamic coefficients under the presence and
absence of Launch Pad.
Study the effect of Ground proximity in fluent by varying
the height from the Launch pedestal.
Chosen heights are

H1- RLV at Launch Pedestal

H2- RLV at the Centre of

LP

H3- Tip of RLV is in the

level of LP

H4- Wing Region on

Orbiter is out of LP

H5- Wing region of

Booster is out of LP

Values obtained from the above analysis is to be

compared
with the values of without LP
condition.
To study the effect of Side wind on the vehicle
during lift-off using fluent software, analysis is
done by keeping the model stationary and by
changing the direction of wind in steps of 5 from
0-360 (72 iterations will give more accuracy in
the result).

REFERENCES
[1].Prasath M et al, Lift-off Aerodynamic characterization of a Technology Demonstrator vehicle.
[2].Sreenivasulu J et al, Studies on Reusable launch vehicle Two Stage to Orbit Option.
[3].Robert M Hall et al, Aerodynamic Characterization of a Modern Launch Vehicle.
[4].William G. Tomek et al, Overview of Experimental Investigations for Ares I Launch Vehicle
Development AIAA 2011-0013.
[5].George W and Moses G, Wind tunnel studies of Ground wind loads on Saturn Launch Vehicles
Journal of Spacecraft, Vol.4 No.2, 1967.
[6].Arash Naghib-Lahouti et al, Parametric Analysis of Aerodynamic Characteristics of Launch Vehicles
with Strap-On Boosters.
[7].S K Epuri et al, Aerodynamic Configuration Design of a Reusable Orbiter.
[8].Bandu N Pamadi et al, Aerodynamic Characteristics and Development of the Aerodynamic
Database of the X-34 Reusable Launch Vehicle.
[9].Giuseppe Pezzella, Aerodynamic Design of the Vertical Take-off Hopper Concept of Future
Launchers Preparatory Programme.
[10].Jaison Joseph et al, Mission Design for a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) Fully Re-usable Launch
Vehicle.
[11].S C Gupta et al, Evolution of Indian Launch Vehicle Technologies.
[12].Larry R Clark und John P Decker, Longitudinal Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Model of a
Horizontal-Take-Off Reusable Launch Vehicle at Mach Numbers from 3 to 6.
[13].Rajeev R Krishnan et al, Reusable Cryogenic Stage for RLV TSTO- Configuration and Challenges.
[14].www.currentscience.ac.in-Downloads-article_id_093_12_1697_1714_0.pdf.
[15].http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_carrier_rockets.svg

JAI HIND