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Full-Text Articles in Astrodynamics

Improved Modeling Of Atmospheric Entry For Meteors With Nose Radii Between 5cm And 10m, Jakob Dale Brisby May 2016

Improved Modeling Of Atmospheric Entry For Meteors With Nose Radii Between 5cm And 10m, Jakob Dale Brisby

Masters Theses

Atmospheric entry studies typically look closely at the peak heating rate that a body encounters during its trajectory. This is an extremely important phenomenon to study because it allows engineers to determine if a trajectory is possible with given materials and craft design specifications. It also allows designers to choose what type of method will be used for mitigating the enormous heat fluxes during entry. In general, it is accepted that during the super-sonic flight regime the body will continue to be heated and an ablative heat shield often is used to deal with these heating processes. The theory outlined …


Optimization And Design For Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles, Paul Andreas Ritter May 2012

Optimization And Design For Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles, Paul Andreas Ritter

Masters Theses

The simulation and evaluation of an orbital launch vehicle requires consideration of numerous factors. These factors include, but are not limited to the propulsion system, aerodynamic effects, rotation of the earth, oblateness, and gravity. A trajectory simulation that considers these different factors is generated by a code developed for this thesis titled Trajectories for Heavy-lift Evaluation and Optimization (THEO). THEO is a validated trajectory simulation code with the ability to model numerous launch configurations. THEO also has the capability to provide the means for an optimization objective. Optimization of a launch vehicle can be specified in terms of many different …