Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In-air capturing (IAC) is a promising concept for recovering winged reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) using a towing aircraft(TA), without the need for any propulsion on board the RLV. In this paper, the preliminary electromechanical design ofan airborne device is presented, which is central to this IAC technique. The device is an autonomous system, towedby the TA, and docks with a boom attached to the nose of the RLV. A design space exploration and load analysis areperformed using a simplified towing model, revealing significantly higher towing loads compared to previous estimates.The design of a probe-drogue docking mechanism is proposed, which uses a set of actuated wedges to lock the RLVboom in place. Actuator and sensor solutions are studied, aiming at a redundant and robust mechanism design. Basedon reference commercial components, the size, weight, and power (SWaP) footprints of essential avionics are estimated,and a preliminary dimensioning of the required battery system is performed. Finally, a comprehensive, electromechanicalcomputer-aided design (CAD) model is developed, with which the overall inertial properties of the vehicle are estimated.The position of its centre of gravity is studied, revealing the need for a forward trim mass. Compared to previous designstudies, the estimated total mass is increased to 175.44 kg, while the design’s overall safety factor grows to 1.51.
Source: CEAS Space Journal
Authors: B. Luyten, S. Singh, B. T. C. Zandbergen
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,390
OpenAlex ID: W4413854012