The control system for the X-33 linear aerospike engine

Abstract

Abstract--The linear aerospike engine is being developed for single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) applications.The primary advantages of a linear aerospike engine over a conventional bell nozzle engine include altitude compensation, which provides enhanced performance, and lower vehicle weight resulting from the integration of the engine into the vehicle structure.

Pressure Distribution and Performance Impacts of Aerospike Nozzles on Rotating Detonation Engines

“…Jackson et al [23] explain that another feature of this arrangement is "the ability to provide thrust vector control (TVC) by differential throttling of the engine combustion elements, rather than the more conventional approach of gimballing the entire engine. "…”

“…The second set of simulations varied the nozzle geometry (run numbers [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] of Table 5). The same inlet total pressure values (2.5 atm through 15 atm) were applied to the domains corresponding to PR design = 25:1 and 40:1.…”

“…In addition to altitude compensation, aerospikes offer a significant advantage over conventional bell nozzles in terms of weight. Plug nozzles generally result in lower vehicle weights because they allow the engine to be integrated into the vehicle structure [23].…”

Active Fault Tolerant Nonsingular Terminal Sliding Mode Control for Electromechanical System Based on Support Vector Machine

“…For example, both A320 aircraft and Boeing 787 have successfully substituted electric actuators for the traditional hydraulic actuator for some steering engines and conducted some test flights. NASA and others jointly developed an electric actuator for the X-33 and X-38 space shuttles [1,2]. In addition, in the past, the controller of the aircraft actuator which was usually located in drivers' cab was far away from the actuator, which increased many additional equipment such as cables and connectors between the actuator and the flight controller, raised cost dramatically and at the same time reduced the reliability of the aircraft.…”