| Popis: |
Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. (GO) is developing GOLauncher 1, a hypersonic testbed capable of extended duration testing at high dynamic pressure, high Mach number flight conditions. These trajectories are referred to as “suppressed” trajectories. Major performance highlights include the capability of sustained cruise at Mach 6 for over one minute. The platform is flexible enough to access hypersonic flight test windows for airbreathing propulsion, aerodynamics and controls, boundary layer science, and aeroheating, while also reducing cost, risk, and schedule compared to past booster programs. GOLauncher 1 is designed around a novel air-launch approach, utilizing an existing business jet carrier aircraft and a single stage expendable rocket to captive carry or deploy payloads of up to 1,000 lbm at hypersonic flight test conditions ranging from Mach 3 to 8 and dynamic pressures up to 3,000 psf. The Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) awarded GO a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract to study the GOLauncher 1 system for hypersonic testing as an innovative approach to achieving test windows of interest. This paper presents findings of this feasibility study. This includes the results of a systems engineering survey conducted to gather feedback from potential stakeholders. Based on data gathered from past hypersonic flight test programs, five reference payloads were defined to envelope the range of mass, geometry, power, and telemetry requirements of potential future payloads. Additionally, seven reference missions were derived from survey feedback to envelope the range of trajectory and maneuvering requirements for future missions. These reference payloads and reference missions were matrixed together to define reference trajectories to serve as the basis for evaluation of figures of merit for the conceptual design. Based on this systems engineering analysis, system-level requirements were defined and derived along with verification methods and traceability. The results of the effort are included along with the completed conceptual design of the GOLauncher 1 hypersonic testbed. |
