Su-22 and MiG-29 aircraft as air-launch platforms for space rockets

Abstract

The work is an announcement on the current state of the research project implementation. The study presents the results of an analysis of the project’s research area. On this basis, the two-stage micro-satellite launch system was selected. The system, a space-kit is based on an adopted combat aircraft carrying a satellite-laden rocket that is fired at the maximum altitude. As a potential transport platform, two withdrawn supersonic aircraft were selected: the MiG-29 and the Su-22. A dedicated mission-laden rocket is to be carried under the fuselage. Preliminary analyses have shown that the aircraft indicated with the proposed mission profile will successfully carry out the task of launching a hypothetical rocket with a payload of at least 10 kg into low earth orbit. This confirmed the merits of the basic thesis of the research project. For the analysis of the aeromechanical properties of the kit, both 3D digital models for computer simulations and physical models scaled for tunnel tests were developed. Laser scanners were used to map aircraft geometry, and measurements were made on Su-22 and MiG-29 aircraft in the aviation laboratory of the Military University of Technology. Using three-dimensional scaled models generated in a CAD environment, physical solid models were printed for wind tunnel investigations. Preliminary computer simulations conducted in the ANSYS Fluent system did not point out any negative impact of the rocket on aerodynamic characteristics and stability of the both carrier aircraft. Keywords: air-launch satellite system, air-launch platform, microsatellite.