• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.101-112
• /
• 2021

SpaceX shows various strategies such as constructing various payload portfolio through the reuse of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, constructing the launch vehicles using one type of engine, the transition from kerosene engine to methane engine, and the use of 3D printing. In this study, launch vehicle proposals that can cover a variety of payloads and trajectories from KOMPSAT to GEO-KOMPSAT were constructed, and ten launch vehicles using kerosene gas generator cycle engine, kerosene staged-combustion cycle engine, and methane staged-combustion cycle engine were reviewed. Of the ten launch vehicles, the reusable launch vehicle using a 35-ton methane engine was rated as the best in terms of development potential.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.73-82
• /
• 2020

Additively manufactured, small rocket engines are perhaps the focal activities of space startups that are developing low-cost launch vehicles. Rocket engine companies such as SpaceX and Rocket Lab in the United States, Ariane Group in Europe, and IHI in Japan have already adopted the additive manufacturing process in building key components of their rocket engines. In this paper on technology trends, an existing valve housing of a rocket engine is chosen as a case study to examine the feasibility of using additively manufactured parts for rocket engines.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2000.10a
• /
• pp.46-53
• /
• 2000

To improve the performance at all design points, multi-point optimization method is implemented for the nose fairing shape design of space launcher. The response surface method is used to effectively reduce the huge computational loads during the optimization process. The drag is selected as the objective function, and the surface heat transfer characteristics, and the internal volume of the nose fairing ate considered as design constraints. Full Wavier-Stokes equations are selected as governing equations. Two points drag minimization, and two points drag / heat flux optimization were successfully performed and configurations which have good performance for the wide operation range were derived. By considering three design points, the space launcher shape which undergoes the least drag during whole flight mission was designed. For all the design cases, the constructed response surfaces show good confidence level with only 23 design points with the proper stretching of the design space.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.78-87
• /
• 2021

Understanding the liquid propellant transport phenomena in low gravity is essential for developing Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV) upper-stage for the diversity of space missions. A low-gravity environment can be simulated via the free-fall method on the ground; however, the air drag is inevitable. To reduce air resistance during free fall, air-drag shield is usually adopted. In this study, the free-fall method was performed with an air-drag shield from a 7-m height tower. The acceleration of a falling object was measured and analyzed. Low gravity below 0.01 g was achieved during 1.2-s free fall with the air-drag shield. The minimum gravitational acceleration value at 1.2-s after free fall was ±0.005 g, which is comparable to the value obtained from Bremen drop tower experiments, ±0.002 g. A prolonged free-fall duration may enhance the low-gravity quality during the drop tower experiments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.32-42
• /
• 2022

The strategy to develop a launch vehicle family by bundling multiple rocket engines of a single type has been proven by SpaceX and their reusable fleet comprised of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. In this study, we revisit a potential launch vehicle family out of a 35 tonf-class methalox staged combustion cycle engine and evaluate their utility and performance in various space missions. For example, a Korean version of Falcon 9 can deliver 4.7 tons of payload into 500 km SSO in an expendable mode while the payload is reduced to 2.16 tons in a sea-landing reusable mode. A Korean version of Falcon Heavy can deliver 4.4 tons into GTO when launched from the Naro Space Center, indicating that this common booster core configuration can handle Cheollian 2 albeit the high inclination. Once developed, the same methaloax engine can power the first-stage of smallsat launch vehicles and air launch vehicles.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.277-285
• /
• 2022

There has been significant increase in demand of launch opportunities from the small satellite sector that represents the new space era. Providing smallsat-dedicated launch service at an affordable price is a new business model many startup companies have pursued, which requires innovative solutions for cost reduction in combination of low cost components, volume production and optimized manufacturing. We set out a preceding study at KARI to develop a suite of critical and cost-cutting technologies in preparation for a two-staged small launch vehicle development, based on the liquid rocket engine technologies developed from the Nuri program in accordance with the 3^rd master plan for national space development. In this work, we introduce the concept of a two-staged small launch vehicle that aims to be innovative and cost competitive for small satellites, and describe mission design results including staging as well as overall vehicle configuration of the launch vehicle.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
• /
• v.16
• /
• pp.141-159
• /
• 2002

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.88-95
• /
• 2015

This paper considers the effects of propellant mixture ratio and loading errors on the performance of a liquid rocket. Propellant residuals generated by error sources are analyzed for a launch vehicle model whose first stage consists of a cluster rocket of four 75-tonf class engines using a statistical Monte-Carlo approach and then the optimal fuel biases minimizing residuals are computed. The results are validated through comparison with analytic method using approximate formula, which have been applied for other space launch vehicles.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.41 no.11
• /
• pp.900-907
• /
• 2013

Payload fairing(PLF) protects satellites and related equipment from the external environment. They are separated before the satellite separation. Payload fairing made of composite sandwich materials due to their considerable bending stiffness and strength-to-weight ratio. Payload fairing have compression, shear and bending load during the flight. In this study, To check the strength of PLF and connected part, structural test of PLF accomplished using an actuator and a fixture. Purpose of structural test is to verify the strength of PLF in force of separation spring and combination structural load applied. Test result shows that the PLF have an acceptable margin of safety for the combination structural load and force of separation spring.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.40 no.10
• /
• pp.857-864
• /
• 2016

Many plane, UAV and drone fly in the sky as development of aviation industry. Plane and UAV fly and drone's propellers rotate so fast. Impact between flying objects which have high velocity threats passengers. Also the impact damages people, building and various property. Plane's operating speed is near sound velocity(340m/s), and propeller's rotating speed is less than that. Until now, impact experiment uses gas gun to get speed and the gun needs large space to entirely air expansion. Electromagnetic launcher, especially railgun, needs smaller space than gas gun to get enough speed about 500m/s. This paper explains electromagnetic launcher's operating principle, shows making electromagnetic launcher design guide line and suggests that it is a better apparatus to get low-high velocity.