Materials Development for Future Reusable Launch Vehicles
Dr. M R Suresh
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram,India,
mr_suresh@vssc.gov.in
EXTENDED ABSTRACT: Indian Space Program is on the verge of venturing into planetary explorations
to Moon, Mars, Sun, etc. and also into the area of advanced Space Transportation Systems for reducing the
cost of access to outer space after successfully realizing the objectives laid down by eminent visionaries
such as Dr.Vikram A Sarabhai and Dr. Satish Dhawan. The commercial launches of Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) have fulfilled the dreams of our
predecessors. The successful culmination of Space-capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE) was the first step
towards the next phase of Space Program. The enthusing future program include development of Reusable
Launch Vehicles, Chandrayaan-1 with Moon Impact Probe, Advanced propulsion technologies such as Air-
Breathing module, Semi-cryogenic and bigger Cryogenic stages, Mission to Sun namely Aditya,
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch VehicleMkIII having higher payload capability, etc. Other eminent
research establishments such as Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have made
significant strides in the field of missile technologies including under-water deployment of missiles. The
capability to indigenously design, develop and produce aircrafts and helicopters such as LCA (by the
consortium led by ADA) and ALH and Dhruv (by HAL) for defense applications, and SARAS & HANSA
(by NAL) for commercial use have also been accomplished. Synergic partnerships among academia, R&D
laboratories and industries only can make these achievements possible and lead to total self-reliance in
aerospace technologies.
One of the most important factors underlying the success of all the above programs is the fruits of
advanced research in the field of materials science whereby new generation materials, meeting the
properties set by the designers, have been developed through continuous research and development. The
future aerospace systems on the anvil call for advanced materials having the combination of exotic
properties such as high strength, low density, high temperature resistance, high stiffness, high toughness,
low cost, reusability, etc. The launch cost per kg of payload using expendable vehicles is very high and
efforts are made to reduce the same substantially.
The cost reduction can be optimally achieved either by (a)overall weight / cost reduction of the
present vehicles by selecting suitable low cost materials and optimum design methodology of components
and structures, or by (b)opting for reusable vehicles so that the initial high development cost can be
recovered over number of flights.
In the former case the options are limited in terms of new materials as well as design parameters.
The principal design drivers and the possible materials used in the case of aircraft structures are given in
Table-1. However, the driving factors may vary with the type of vehicle that is being designed. For long
range extended capacity aircrafts, weight saving is the driving factor and cost reduction is given second
priority while in the case of smaller custom jets, cost is the driving factor. However, in the area of launch
vehicles, thrust is on safety / reliability and weight saving factors. Reduction in launch cost is also given
due importance in order to be competitive in the international scenario.........
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