scholarly journals Fuel Conservation for Launch Vehicles: Falcon Heavy Case Study

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jozič ◽  
Zidanšek ◽  
Repnik

Space exploration has recently been growing at an increasing pace and has caused a significant burden to the environment, in particular, during the launch of rockets, when a large amount of fuel is burned and the exhaust gases are released in the air. For this case study, we selected the SpaceX Falcon Heavy reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle, which is one of the most promising rockets for the low-cost lifting of heavy payloads into orbit and beyond. We evaluated several strategies for optimisation of fuel consumption and for minimisation of environmental impact during launch through the atmosphere for the case of its first launch on February 6, 2018, when the rocket carried a red Tesla Roadster with a “Starman” in the direction toward Mars. In addition to the flight plan and Newtonian equations of motion, we have taken into account the thermodynamic properties of the rocket engines. Results are similar but slightly different if one minimises the total fuel consumption for the desired flight plan or if one minimises the environmental pollution during the initial stage of the launch through the atmosphere. The same methodology can be extended for launches in other directions including the Earth orbit and the Moon.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 27-39
Author(s):  
Dariusz Michalski

The objective of the paper is to analyze the initial stage of the application of the kaizen costing techniques in the production company and to evaluate the results of kaizen costing implementation in FMCG company. The author’s main aspiration is to present the benefits of using the kaizen and kaizen costing as low cost concepts to systematic reduction of the unnecessary costs in the company. In order to achieve these goals, author examined examples of kaizens in the enterprise and the way of settlement of their economic results.


Drones ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Ding Wen ◽  
Lei Su ◽  
Yuanman Hu ◽  
Zaiping Xiong ◽  
Miao Liu ◽  
...  

Waterfowl surveys, especially for endangered waterfowl living in wetlands, are essential to protect endangered waterfowl and to create a management scenario of their habitats. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are powerful new tools for waterfowl surveys. In this paper, we propose one method for a habitat survey and another for a waterfowl species distribution survey. The habitat survey method obtained the waterfowl’s habitat and spatial distribution with a UAV automatic flight plan in the aggregation area. The waterfowl species distribution survey was used to detect and identify waterfowl species with high-spatial-resolution images from a free UAV flight plan in the aggregation area or areas where individuals were suspected to be present. The UAV-based data showed not only the area where waterfowl were found, but also additional ground surveys. The results showed that the species and locations of the waterfowl were recorded more accurately and efficiently using the distribution method based on the images from the UAV. The waterfowl habitat type and the number of waterfowl were obtained in detail using the habitat survey method. UAV-derived counts of waterfowl were greater (+37%) than ground counts. The results indicated the feasibility and advantages of using a low-cost UAV survey of large waterfowl in wetland regions with complex vegetation. This study provides one case study of large waterfowl numbers and habitat surveys. The UAV-based methods also provide a feasible and scientific way to obtain basic data for the protection and management of waterfowl.


2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 114-119
Author(s):  
A. A. Baldin

One of the topical problems in modern aerospace engineering is accordance between ecological requirements and performance of the vehicle. On the other hand, problem of economical efficiency leads to change of the main criterion of designing to the minimization of costs (instead of maximal performance). According to modern trends of “low-cost” vehicles, different concepts of the future cost-effective launch vehicles are considered. It is necessary to validate these concepts according to requirements of ecological safety for the purpose of detection of the dominant launch vehicle configuration. Typical configurations of the future 'low-cost' launch vehicle are presented by 6 conceptual groups (Koelle, 2001). Conceptual group 1 (CG1) is presented by the Ballistic “Single stage to orbit” (SSTO) reusable vehicle. All vehicles which use classical rocketry scheme of the propulsion trajectory are called “Ballistic” i.e. the ballistic vehicle is lifted to orbit under the impact of rocket engines thrust. CG1-vehicle is able to reach the low earth orbit (LEO) without stage separation reducing the number of required rocket engines. Technological feasibility of SSTO concepts is proven by numerous studies (Koelle, 2001). CG2 representatives are ballistic “Two stages to orbit” (TSTO) reusable vehicles. The difference between CG1 and CG2 consists in application of vacuum rocket engines in the second stage  and, consequently, stage separation. CG2 are the most mass-effective vehicles. CG3 is presented by the winged SSTO vehicles with rocket propulsion by “Lifting body” aerodynamic scheme. Ascensional force is provided by the aerodynamic shape of the vehicle’s structure at high speeds. Winged TSTO vehicles with rocket propulsion and parallel or tandem staging form the CG4. The winged configuration provides wide landing capability for both stages. CG5 is presented by winged TSTO vehicles with airbreathing propulsion in the first stage and rocket-propelled second stage. Airbreathing jet engines provide high reusability ratio comparing with other concepts as well as the widest landing capability. Aerospace Plane with scramjet-rocket propulsion forms CG6. The vehicle is able to reach near-cosmic speed in rarefied layers of the atmosphere and then accelerate with rocket engines. The most ecologically important resemblance of represented concepts is reusability. This reduces space debris formation (due to lack of waste hardware). Reusable launch vehicles can also be used to return the spent satellites. Structural differences between the concepts form 3 criterions of comparison by ecological impact: 1) propellant toxicity; 2) safety of surface facilities (vehicle damage inside the atmosphere); 3) probability of space debris formation (vehicle damage outside the atmosphere). Comparison of the concepts by these criterions allows substantiating the most ecologically acceptable direction of research. Results of the comparison demonstrate that the most ecologically acceptable low-cost launch vehicle configuration is: Ballistic SSTO or TSTO reusable launch vehicle with “LOX+LH2” propellant. The results can be explained by following way: combustion products of the propellant “liquid oxygen + liquid hydrogen” are absolutely safe for environment. It also provides maximal performance of rocket engine (due to the highest specific impulse). Ballistic ascent scheme allows using relatively simple technologies and provides high reliability level. In combination with minimal time of atmospheric flight this provides high level of safety for surface facilities. These results may be used for substantiation of dominant research direction.


1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Ashley

This article discusses the three federally funded projects that are underway to develop new rocket engines that can make it more affordable to send payloads into orbits. The new RS-68 propulsion system is Rocketdyne's entry in competition to power the US Air Force's new heavy-lift booster. The most ambitious of the new propulsion system designs is Rocketdyne's XRS-2200 linear aerospike engine, a seemingly nozzle-less oxygen/hydrogen powerplant that is designed to send the autonomously controlled NASA X-33 lifting body into orbit. The X-33 is being developed by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Palmdale, CA. The key for new launch vehicles, whether they're expendable or reusable, is to get the costs down. The article also highlights that the payload that can be lofted by a launch vehicle depends in large part on engine performance and the ratio of propellant to structural weight. Bell nozzles are designed to offer the best compromise of shape and length for a vehicle and flight path. Rocketdyne's R-68 engine is to be 17 feet tall and 8 feet wide at the base. The key to the R-68 engine design was the selection of hydrogen as the propellant rather than kerosene.


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shon R. Grabbe ◽  
Banavar Sridhar ◽  
Avijit Mukherjee ◽  
Alexander Morando

Author(s):  
Kristopher D. Staller

Abstract Cold temperature failures are often difficult to resolve, especially those at extreme low levels (< -40°C). Momentary application of chill spray can confirm the failure mode, but is impractical during photoemission microscopy (PEM), laser scanning microscopy (LSM), and multiple point microprobing. This paper will examine relatively low-cost cold temperature systems that can hold samples at steady state extreme low temperatures and describe a case study where a cold temperature stage was combined with LSM soft defect localization (SDL) to rapidly identify the cause of a complex cold temperature failure mechanism.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6944
Author(s):  
Emma Anna Carolina Emanuelsson ◽  
Aurelie Charles ◽  
Parimala Shivaprasad

With stringent environmental regulations and a new drive for sustainable manufacturing, there is an unprecedented opportunity to incorporate novel manufacturing techniques. Recent political and pandemic events have shown the vulnerability to supply chains, highlighting the need for localised manufacturing capabilities to better respond flexibly to national demand. In this paper, we have used the spinning mesh disc reactor (SMDR) as a case study to demonstrate the path forward for manufacturing in the post-Covid world. The SMDR uses centrifugal force to allow the spread of thin film across the spinning disc which has a cloth with immobilised catalyst. The modularity of the design combined with the flexibility to perform a range of chemical reactions in a single equipment is an opportunity towards sustainable manufacturing. A global approach to market research allowed us to identify sectors within the chemical industry interested in novel reactor designs. The drivers for implementing change were identified as low capital cost, flexible operation and consistent product quality. Barriers include cost of change (regulatory and capital costs), limited technical awareness, safety concerns and lack of motivation towards change. Finally, applying the key features of a Sustainable Business Model (SBM) to SMDR, we show the strengths and opportunities for SMDR to align with an SBM allowing for a low-cost, sustainable and regenerative system of chemical manufacturing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 731 (1) ◽  
pp. 012024
Author(s):  
M N Cahyadi ◽  
E Y Handoko ◽  
R Mardiyanto ◽  
I M Anjasmara ◽  
Khomsin ◽  
...  

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