Aerodynamic and Propulsion Assisted Maneuvering for Orbital Transfer Vehicles

The ability to perform rapid and unpredicted orbital transfers will provide the ability for unpredictable reconnaissance or timely rescue missions. This paper examines the means and ways of enabling responsive space through propulsive or aero-assisted maneuvers. A conical hypersonic waverider was designed to execute these maneuvers. The aerodynamic database was generated using hypersonic incidence angle analysis tools with a viscous skin-drag correction. The comparative performance analysis is performed using a set of pre-defined metrics. Some of these metrics are stagnation point heating, handling qualities and controllability, etc. The orbital transfer trajectories were analyzed using an interactive simulation tool. Results have confirmed previous research that aero-assisted maneuvers are more efficient than purely propulsive maneuvers alone for executing synergetic plane changes. Nomenclature a = Semi-major axis of orbit, k