Research Progress of Key Technologies for Typical Reusable Launcher Vehicles

Abstract

In recent years, driven by space X and other commercial companies, the requirement of low cost and fast response to transport, reusable launch vehicle technology is attracting the world’s attention. Aerospace agencies in various countries have stepped up research and made some progress in the related technologies of reusable launch vehicles. The development of reusable launch vehicle has become an important direction of space development in the future. First, the development status of reusable vehicles, the Space Shuttle Mode, the Falcon-9 Mode, the Launch Mode on board, and the Airborne Aircraft Mode, are introduced. Second, the structure design, the propulsion system, the recycling scheme, the thermal protection system and the launch costs of each mode is analyzed. Third, some related development suggestions are put forward in terms of the carrier configuration, the design of recycling scheme, the choose of propulsion system and the thermal protection system for reusable launch vehicle designer.