Propulsion options for space-based orbital transfer vehicles

Abstract

A concept for a lightweight space-based orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) featuring thin, spherical, pressure-designed aluminum liquid-oxygen and liquid-hydrogen tanks and a truss structure of composite materials is used as a baseline design for a large-cargo OTV. Vehicle sizing, fleet analysis, and parametric cost analysis are used to evaluate the effects of engine technology, vehicle staging, and high-thrust versus low-thrust transfer. Results indicate that Earth-to-orbit launch costs and OTV engine performance are strong drivers in orbital transportation cost and that there is no significant benefit in staging vehicles. At the low values of Earth-to-orbit cost representative of advanced launch vehicles, low-thrust and high-thrust OTV's are competitive.