Flow field analysis of a future launcher configuration during start

Within the German Future Space Launcher Technology Research Program ASTRA several reusable concepts have been investigated. Particularly one dedicated for near-term application consists of an Ariane 5-type expendable core stage and two liquid fly back boosters (LFBB). The present investigation focused on the interaction between the booster and the core stage during ascent phase. The analysis is carried out numerically by means of the DLR unstructured code TAU. The numerical results allow a compressive study of the complicate flow pattern between the boosters and the central core and address the changes on aerodynamic drag between the three configurations considered