FUNDAMENTALS OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING [Print Replica] Kindle Edition

The motivation for exploring space is ancient: it is the manifestation of the same drive that led us to explore the African savannas 100,000 years ago or to embark on the great maritime expeditions of the 15th to 17th centuries. The 20th century marks the (tentative) beginning of our exploration of the solar system, a (premature) visit to the Moon, and already a (modest) permanent presence in Earth’s orbit.The great sea voyages were only made possible by the development of European caravels and carracks, capable of crossing oceans and sustaining the lives of their crews during the journey. Similarly, to explore space, we will need to develop spacecraft capable of crossing interplanetary distances and protecting us from the extreme conditions of the cosmos. The technical challenges that arise are equally extreme, but not impossible to overcome. This book addresses precisely these challenges and, in particular, the knowledge web necessary for the development of orbital launch systems, among which rockets are the only viable solution currently.Beginning with the history of space exploration—including figures such as Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Tsiolkovsky, Von Braun, and Korolev—Chapter 1 also discusses the darker side of the Cold War, tied to the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles.The problem of orbital launches is addressed in Chapter 2, where some unconventional solutions are analyzed in detail, including the space elevator and the space cannon. Though “dreamish,” analyzing these solutions is highly interesting and illustrative of the technical difficulties of placing an object into orbit, whether around Earth or other planets and moons in the solar system. Self-propelled launchers are discussed at the end of the chapter, culminating in a comparative analysis between commercial air transport and rockets.Chapter 3 covers the conceptual design of a rocket and its efficient operation. Specifically, the problem of optimal staging is formulated using two distinct yet complementary approaches, enabling both quick practical results and the inference of fundamental theoretical principles. This analytical framework is validated by comparing its results with the configuration of the Saturn V rocket used in the Apollo missions. Finally, the problem of optimizing a rocket’s launch trajectory is analyzed using two possible formulations (“quasi-flat-Earth” and “quasi-spherical-Earth”).Propulsion systems are studied in Chapter 4, with an emphasis on the different configurations of thermochemical engines and the analysis of supersonic flow in convergent-divergent nozzles. The equations developed in this chapter are applied to the study of the engines of two legendary rockets: the V2 of World War II and the Space Shuttle.Chapter 5 addresses what is perhaps the most dangerous phase of a launch mission: orbital reentry and the necessary dissipation of mechanical energy through aerobraking. The so-called aerodynamic heating is formulated, and limit temperatures are calculated. Three landing technologies are comparatively analyzed: parachutes, glided landings, and retropropulsive landings, the latter examined in detail to minimize the necessary propellant.Although orbital launch and/or reentry are the most critical phases of a mission, the ultimate goal often involves placing a satellite in geostationary orbit or inserting it into an interplanetary transfer trajectory. Chapter 6 then deals with Orbital Mechanics and the practical use of its equations in the analysis of various cases. We analyze the Mars 2020 mission, which placed the Perseverance and Ingenuity robotic probes on Mars, the complex aerobraking maneuvers executed by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and in greater detail the gravitational slingshot maneuvers performed by Voyager 1 en route out of the solar system, heading “to infinity and beyond.” Read more