DLR's launcher systems analysis division is investigating since a couple of years a visionary, extremely fast passenger transportation concept reaching the edges of space based on rocket propulsion. Work is now focusing on the iterative sizing of all major subcomponents in nominal and off-nominal flight conditions. The paper describes the recent technical progress achieved in the SpaceLiner 7 configuration supported by the EU-funded studies FAST20XX (Future high-Altitude high-Speed Transport 20XX) and CHATT (Cryogenic Hypersonic Advanced Tank Technologies). The focus of the paper is on all system aspects of the reference vehicle's preliminary design including its nominal trajectory and first assessment of its environmental impact.
DLR's launcher systems analysis division is investigating since a couple of years a visionary, extremely fast passenger transportation concept reaching the edges of space based on rocket propulsion. Thanks to multinational collaboration, the technical lay-out of the SpaceLiner has now matured to Phase A conceptual design level. Iterative sizing of all major subcomponents in nominal and off-nominal flight conditions has been performed. The paper describes the recent technical progress achieved in the SpaceLiner 7 configuration,• mainly system aspects of the reference vehicle's preliminary design including establishment of a preliminary structural concept, • main propulsion system definition, • pre-development of a passenger cabin and rescue capsule and its specific challenges, • preliminary sizing of the thermal protection and active cooling systems, • mission definition with its nominal trajectories including potential ground infrastructure, • programmatic development aspects Subscripts, Abbreviations CAD computer aided design GLOW Gross Lift-Off Mass LH2 Liquid Hydrogen LOX Liquid Oxygen NPSP Net Positive Suction Pressure MECO Main Engine Cut Off MR mixture ratio RCS Reaction Control System RLV Reusable Launch Vehicle SLME SpaceLiner Main Engine TPS Thermal Protection System TRL Technology Readiness Level
The visionary ultrafast passenger transportation concept SpaceLiner has been proposed by the Space Launcher System Analysis Department of the German Aerospace Center DLR. Based on rocket propulsion the baseline configuration of the two stage RLV should be capable of carrying about 50 passengers along the ambitious westbound route from Australia to Europe within 90 minutes. Based on the most recent and mature SpaceLiner configuration and its mission data, an upgraded 100 passenger derivative is explored since an increase of efficiency is expected and potential promising alternative travel routes and the correspondent system requirements are investigated. Preliminary estimation engineering tools are utilized within the initial, iterative design process, in order to identify potential configurations. The configuration approach most consistent with the predefined system and mission requirements is presented.
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