A new system design method for space launch vehicles

Abstract

A new system design and information modelling method based on a classification of comprehensive information models called four primitives is presented for the design and development of new generation of space launch vehicles, taking advantages of the latest technologies of information modelling of systems. Through an extensive investigation of vast amount of information generated during the design processes of launch vehicles in this research, the information of a design system is classified into four-primitive model or information domains, namely, product information, design process, simulation models and design problems. Based on this classification, a new design method based on four-primitive models is proposed, by which a launch vehicle system design process consists of two phases: meta-design phase and design phase. Furthermore, five steps are generated as a generic procedure to tackle the whole design process, and these include requirement decomposition and mapping, design information modelling, structuring of design pattern, execution of design pattern and utilization of design results. The proposed design method has been validated by applying the method in a design and comparing its key design performance measurement including launch capacity as case study validation examples of the research work.