Introduction to Launch Vehicle Analysis and Design

Space has always been of keen interest to mankind as it is believed to contain information relevant to formation, existence and continued sustenance of our planet. Space mission is defined as an act of transporting a space object to its designated spot and then carrying out the scientific / technological activities. Transportation of these objects is done through launch vehicles which are important elements of any space mission. Launch vehicles provide the space object with sufficient energy to enable it to set up a desired space mission. The course aims to introduce fundamental principles governing ascent mission trajectory design including the configuration design of launch vehicles. It also aims to present various techniques that help in synthesizing the trajectory and the launch vehicle for specified objectives.INTENDED AUDIENCE :Undergraduate / postgraduate students, participants from industries involved with tasks related to space agencies, personnel from defence establishments engaged with missile system configuration design, teachers of engineering colleges having aerospace as the discipline.PREREQUISITES : No specific pre-requisites are necessary. However, basic understanding of rigid body mechanics, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics is desirable.INDUSTRIES SUPPORT :None

Week 1: Introduction, Course Plan, Ascent Mission Basics, Force and Geometry Models 1 & 2
Week 2: Idealized Performance, Trajectory Under Gravity, Impact of Gravity, Impact of DragWeek 3: Curvilinear Motion Concept, Constant Pitch Rate Solution, Constant Velocity Solution, Constant (T/m) solutionWeek 4: Ascent Mission Design, Multi-stage Rocket Concept, Multi-stage Design Basics, Multi-stage FormulationWeek 5: Optimal Staging Concept, Lagrange’s Solution, Approximate Staging Solution, Concept of Rocket VariantWeek 6: Variant Design Solution, Parallel Staging Concept, Relativistic and SSTO Rocket Concepts, Air-breathing Rockets and Ballistic MissilesWeek 7: Jet Damping and Spin in Rockets and Missiles, Basics of Rocket Launching, Fundamentals of Re-entry, Typical Re-entry TechniquesWeek 8: Revision of the Material and Doubt Clearing by Tas, Instructor