Space Propulsion Analysis And Design

The only comprehensive text available on space propulsion for students and professionals in astronautics.

The only comprehensive text available on space propulsionfor students and professionals in astronautics.

Written to answer the question of how to design rockets, Space Propulsion Analysis and Design provides readers the ability to complete a basic system configuration, mass estimate, and an estimate of the system’s performance. Written by 16 engineers with decades of space design experience, this book offers advice, tested configurations, and historical precedents for rocket performance. The book covers the basics of rocket design, major technology types such as liquids, solids, hybrids, nuclear, and electric, plus a mission design example and discussion of future possibilities for space propulsion. Written for practicing systems and propulsion engineers, managers, and engineering students, this book gives readers a practical handbook to the design and configuration of rocket systems.

An understandable perspective on the types of space propulsion systems necessary to enable low-cost space flights to Earth orbit and to the Moon and the future developments necessary for exploration of the solar system and beyond to the stars.

The present impetus to drive down the overall cost of space missions is leading to ever-increasing demands for more efficient design techniques over a wide range of interplanetary missions, and the methods now being utilised to do this are described in this timely and authoritative work.

Annotation "Design Methodologies for Space Transportation Systems is a sequel to the author's earlier text, "Space Transportation: A Systems Approach to Analysis and Design. Both texts represent the most comprehensive exposition of the existing knowledge and practice in the design and project management of space transportation systems, and they reflect a wealth of experience by the author with the design and management of space systems. The text discusses new conceptual changes in the design philosophy away from multistage expendable vehicles to winged, reusable launch vehicles and presents an overview of the systems engineering and vehicle design process as well as systems trades and analysis. Individual chapters are devoted to specific disciplines such as aerodynamics, aerothermal analysis, structures, materials, propulsion, flight mechanics and trajectories, avionics and computers, and control systems. The final chapters deal with human factors, payload, launch and mission operations, safety, and mission assurance. The two texts by the author provide a valuable source of information for the space transportation community of designers, operators, and managers. A companion CD-ROM succinctly packages some oversized figures and tables, resources for systems engineering and launch ranges, and a compendium of software programs. The computer programs include the USAF AIRPLANE AND MISSILE DATCOM CODES (with extensive documentation); COSTMODL for software costing; OPGUID launch vehicle trajectory generator; SUPERFLO-a series of 11 programs intended for solving compressible flow problems in ducts and pipes found in industrial facilities; and a wealth of Microsoft Excel spreadsheet programs covering thedisciplines of statistics, vehicle trajectories, propulsion performance, math utilities,