“It’s not rocket science you know”

- Every teacher you’ve had so far

Tutorial Barry Zandbergen,

Launch Vehicle Design

Challenge the future 1

Objective

After this tutorial you will be able to apply basic launcher formulas to
design a launch vehicle

Challenge the future 2

Outline of tutorial
• Exercise T1 – Vega
• Exercise T2 – Space Shuttle
• Exercise T3 – Multi-stage rocket (optimum)
• Exercise T4 – Design Details

Challenge the future 3

T1a. Analysing Vega
• Purpose:
To determine the total delta-v (∆v) capability of the Vega rocket as well as
the contribution to this total of the various stages using information on
vehicle & stage mass, stage (effective) exhaust velocity and vehicle
payload mass as found in literature (Launch Vehicle Guide, LVC).

Challenge the future 4

T1. Analysing VEGA

Vega: A single-body launcher with three solid rocket stages and a

liquid rocket upper stage/module (so essentially a 4-stage rocket)
destined to reach LEO.
Challenge the future 5
T1a. Analysing VEGA
Vega characteristics (from LVC):

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Fairing Payload

Mass at lift off [ton] 95.72 25.75 10.93 0.968 0.49 1.5*
Propellant mass [ton] 88.3 23.9 10.12 0.55
Effective Exhaust velocity [m/s] 2550 2834 2893 3094

1. Determine total ∆V delivered by the Vega given that fairing separation

occurs at burn-out of 2nd stage.

Answer choices:
A. 13.63 km/s; B. 14.53 km/s; C. 9.69 km/s; D. 10.15 km/s

Challenge the future 6

T1a. Analysing VEGA
Vega: Total ∆v delivered by rocket
Δv is calculated using the rocket equation.
• For each sub-rocket we have:

(∆v)i = [w]i ln(Ri)

• For the 1st sub-rocket, we have:

• Initial mass (all values in tons):
135.36 = 95.72+25.75+10.93+0.968+0.49+1.50
• Propellant mass: 88.3 ton
• Empty mass: 46.99 ton
• Mass ratio: 135.36 ton/46.99 ton = 2.88
• Effective exhaust velocity: 2550 m/s

Substituting values in rocket equation gives:

(∆v)1 = 2550 m/s * ln(2.88) = 2.70 km/s

Challenge the future 7

T1a. Analysing VEGA
Vega: Total ∆V delivered by rocket
• 2nd sub-rocket: • 4th sub-rocket
• Mo,2 = 39.638 ton • Mo,4 = 2.468 ton
• Me,2 = 15.728 • Me,4 = 1.918 ton
• Effective exhaust velocity: 2834 m/s • Effective exhaust velocity: 3094 m/s
• (∆v)2 = 2834 * ln(2.518) = 2.62 km/s • (∆v)4 = 3094 * ln(1.286) = 0.78 km/s

• 3rd sub-rocket (- fairing) • Total ideal velocity change:

• Mo,3 = 13.398 ton • Δ𝑣𝑣𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 2.70 + 2.62 + 4.07 + 0.78
• Me,3 = 3.278 ton • Δ𝑣𝑣𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 10.17 km/s
• Effective exhaust velocity: 2893 m/s
• (∆v)3 = 2893 * ln(4.087) = 4.07 km/s

Challenge the future 8

Comparison of ideal versus actual flight velocities

Sub-rocket Ideal ∆v Actual ∆v

[km/s] [km/s]
1 2.70 1.74

2 2.62 2.06

3 4.07 3.78

4 0.78 >0.26

Why this difference between

ideal and actual ∆v?

From: https://spaceflight101.com/vega-vv10/flight-profile/

Challenge the future 9

T1b. Analyzing VEGA
Vega characteristic data.

Using the description of the Vega rocket in the Launch Vehicle Guide
you are asked to determine the following:
a) T/W at lift-off
b) T/W at burn-out of 1st sub-rocket
c) Structural coefficient of the 1st stage
d) Effective exhaust velocity at sea level of 1st sub-rocket

Challenge the future 10

T1b. Analysing VEGA

a) T/W @ lift-off
• Thrust at launch: 2621kN (taken from LVC)
• Initial mass of 1st sub-rocket is given by summed mass of all stages + fairing
mass + payload mass: (Mo)1 = 135.57t (137 t in LVC)
• T/W = 2621kN/(135568kg x 9.81m/s2) = 1.97

b) T/W (burn-out of 1st stage)

• Burn-out mass: 135.57t – 88.3t = 47.27t
• T/W = 2621kN/(47268kg x 9.81m/s2) = 5.65
• T/W = 2980kN/(47268kg x 9.81m/s2) = 6.43

First T/W value is for sea level conditions, whereas second value is for
vacuum conditions. Real value may be somewhere in between. It may
also depend on detailed thrust profileChallenge
of thethestage.
future 11
T1b. Analysing VEGA

c) Construction mass is difference between 1st stage mass at lift off

and the propellant mass.
1st stage dry mass = 7.42t; Propellant mass is 88.3t.
It follows a structural coefficient of 7.42/88.3 = 0.084

d) Effective exhaust velocity at sea level (w):

• Vacuum thrust/vacuum effective exhaust velocity = mass flow rate
• Sea level thrust / mass flow rate = S.L. effective exhaust velocity
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑡𝑡𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙
• 𝑤𝑤 = ∗ 𝑤𝑤𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑡𝑡𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣

• w = (2621kN/2980kN) * 280s * 9.81m/s2 = 2416m/s

Challenge the future 12

T1b. VEGA (2008) versus Scout (1960)
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Fairing Payload
Mass at lift off [ton] 95.72 25.75 10.93 0.968 0.49 1.50
Propellant mass [ton] 88.3 23.9 10.12 0.55
Structural coefficient [%] 8.4% 7.7% 8.2% 76%
Isp [s] 260 288 295 315

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Fairing Payload

Mass at lift off [ton] 14.756 4.832 1.634 0.316 0.075 0.200
Propellant mass [ton] 12.817 3.768 1.299 0.275
Structural coefficient [%] 15.1% 28.2% 25.8% 14.9%
Isp [s] 245 280 295 288

Challenge the future 13

T2. Analyzing Space Shuttle

2. Space shuttle
This problem is about determining the ideal velocity increment
that can be delivered by the Space Shuttle launch vehicle.

But first watch this movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnoNITE-CLc

Challenge the future 14

T2. Analysing Space Shuttle
Some Space Shuttle data
Space Shuttle System Specifications (lift-off)
• Gross lift-off mass = 2,046 tons
• Total lift-off thrust = 30.16 MN

Orbiter Each booster (of two)

• Orbiter mass = 110 ton • Empty mass = 63,272 kg
• Orbiter equipped with 3 SSME (main engines) • Gross lift-off mass = 590 tons
• Each SSME delivers: • S.L. thrust at lift off = 12.5 MN
• S.L. Thrust = 1.752 MN
• S.L. Isp = 363 s
• Burn time = 124 s
• Vac. Isp = 455 s
External tank (ET)
• Empty mass = 26.5 ton S.L.: Sea level
• Propellant mass = 729.5 ton Vac.: Vacuum

Challenge the future 15

T2. Analysing Space Shuttle
a) Calculate total Δ𝑉𝑉 delivered by
stage 0 (Main engine + Boosters)

Answer choices:
A. 5.6 km/s
B. 7.3 km/s
C. 3.4 km/s Step 1: Calculate effective exhaust velocity for 0th
D. 2.8 km/s sub-rocket

Step 2: Calculate Δ𝑉𝑉 of 0th sub-rocket using

Rocket equation

Challenge the future 16

 T2. Analysing Space Shuttle
Step 1: Calculate effective exhaust velocity for 0th sub-rocket

Step 1a: Calculate 𝑚𝑚̇ for boosters and main engine

𝑚𝑚̇ for boosters 𝑚𝑚̇ for main engine

𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝−𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 = 590000 − 63272 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣, 𝑤𝑤 = 𝐼𝐼𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 ∗ 𝑔𝑔0

= 526728 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 363 ∗ 9.81 = 3561 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 526728 𝑚𝑚̇ =
𝑚𝑚̇ = = = 4248 kg/s 𝑤𝑤
tb 124
1.752 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀
= 𝑚𝑚 = 492 kg/s
3561
𝑠𝑠

𝑚𝑚̇ 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 2 ∗ 𝑚𝑚̇ booster + 3 ∗ 𝑚𝑚̇ 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚−𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = 9972 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑠𝑠

Challenge the future 17
T2. Analysing Space Shuttle
Step 1b: Calculate average exhaust velocity for boosters + main engine
from total thrust and mass flow rate
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
𝑤𝑤𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 =
𝑚𝑚̇ 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡
Step 2: Calculate Δ𝑉𝑉 from Rocket equation
30.16𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 𝑀𝑀0
= = 3024 m/s Δ𝑉𝑉 = 𝑤𝑤𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ln
9972 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑠𝑠 𝑀𝑀𝑒𝑒
𝑀𝑀0
Δ𝑉𝑉 = 𝑤𝑤𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ln
𝑤𝑤𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑀𝑀0 −𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝−𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡
𝐼𝐼𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = = 308 𝑠𝑠
𝑔𝑔0 𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝−𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 𝑚𝑚𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡
̇ ∗ 𝑡𝑡𝑏𝑏 =
kg
9972 ∗ 124 s = 1237 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡
s
Δ𝑉𝑉 = 2805 m/s

Challenge the future 18

T2. Analysing Space Shuttle
b) Calculate Δ𝑉𝑉 delivered by stage 1 (Main engine after boosters are discarded).
Orbiter mass = 110 ton; Tank (ET) mass = 26.5 ton (empty)

Answer choices:
A. 7.2 km/s; B. 4.5 km/s; C. 9.6 km/s; D. 8.1 km/s

𝑀𝑀𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖−𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
= 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 − 2 ∗ 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
−Engine propellant mass spent during stage 0
𝑀𝑀𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖−𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 2046000 − 2 ∗ 590000 − 1476 ∗ 124 = 683 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡
𝑀𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 = 110 + 26.5 = 136.5 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡
𝑚𝑚 𝑀𝑀0
𝑤𝑤 = 455 ∗ 9.81 = 4464 Δ𝑉𝑉 = 𝑤𝑤 ln = 7.2 km/s
𝑠𝑠 𝑀𝑀𝑒𝑒

Challenge the future 19

 T3. Multi-stage rocket (optimum)
1. Consider a two-stage rocket that is to deliver an ideal velocity increment of
6 km/s. Total take off mass is the parameter of interest. For this
parameter, complete the table below using following parameter values:
• Payload mass: 160 kg
• Stage structural coefficient: 10% (for both sub-rockets)
• Effective rocket exhaust velocity of first stage: 3000m/s
• Effective rocket exhaust velocity of second stage: 3500m/s
• Fairing mass is negligible
𝚫𝚫𝐕𝐕𝟏𝟏 [km/s] 𝚫𝚫𝐕𝐕𝟐𝟐 [km/s] Take-off Mass [kg]
0.5 5.5
1 5
For the purpose of this tutorial,
2 4
start with 50/50 split of delta v!
3 3
4 2

Challenge the future 20

T3. Multi-stage rocket (optimum)
• Sub-rocket 2:
• From rocket equation we find:
Mo/Me = e(∆V/w) = e(3/3.5) = 2.36 (1)
• Payload mass Mpay = 160 kg (2)
• Stage structural coefficient : MS/Mprop = 0.1 (3)
• Mo = Me + Mprop (4)
This gives a system of 4 independent relations with 4 unknowns. Solving for unknown
propellant mass gives
𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = − 𝑀𝑀𝑜𝑜 = 𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 + 𝑀𝑀𝑠𝑠 + 𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
1
𝜎𝜎 + Δ𝑉𝑉
1 − 𝑒𝑒 𝑤𝑤
𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 251.1 kg
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚, 𝑀𝑀𝑜𝑜 = 𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 + 𝑀𝑀𝑠𝑠 + 𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 160 + 25.1 + 251.1 = 436 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝜎𝜎 → 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐; 𝑤𝑤 → 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 Challenge the future 21
T3. Multi-stage rocket (optimum)

• Sub-rocket 1:
• Mo/Me = e(∆V/Ve) = e(3/3) = 2.72 (1)
• Payload mass Mpay = 436 kg (2)
• Stage structural coefficient: MS/Mprop = 0.1 (3)
• Mo = Me + Mprop (4)

• Solving for unknown propellant mass gives Mprop = 905.3 kg.

• It follows:
Structure mass = 0.1 Mprop = 90.5 kg
Empty mass = Mstructure + Mpay = 90.5 kg + 436 kg = 526.5 kg, and
Total rocket mass = Empty mass + Mprop = 526.5 + 905.3 = 1432 kg.

Challenge the future 22

T3. Multi-stage rocket (optimum)
𝚫𝚫𝐕𝐕𝟏𝟏 [km/s] 𝚫𝚫𝐕𝐕𝟐𝟐 [km/s] Take-off Mass [kg]
0.5 5.5 1497
1 5 1420
2 4 1373
3 3 1432
4 2 1616
1650

Take-off Mass[kg]
1600

1550

1500

1450

1400

1350
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
ΔV1/ΔV2

Challenge the future 23

T4: Design details
In this section 4 exercises are provided focussing on:
1. Location of CoP
2. Effect of LV size on drag
3. Effect of drag on payload capability
4. Tank mass estimation of Centaur upper stage (not in tutorial)

Challenge the future 24

1. Location of CoP
Calculate location of CoP of shuttle in plane of figure. Orbiter, ET and
SRB have identical drag coefficient and (aerodynamic) interference
effects are negligible.
Area distribution is symmetric around vertical Answer choices:
plane => CoP is on line connecting geometric A. 3.23 m; B. 6.77 m;
centers of ET and orbiter C. 7.94 m; D. 1.49 m
𝐴𝐴𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 ∗ 𝑙𝑙 = 𝐴𝐴𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 ∗ 𝑙𝑙1 + 𝐴𝐴𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 ∗ 𝑙𝑙1 D=7m
+𝐴𝐴𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 ∗ 𝑙𝑙1 + 𝐴𝐴𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 ∗ 𝑙𝑙2
𝑙𝑙1 = 4.2 𝑚𝑚; 𝑙𝑙2 = 11.9 𝑚𝑚
𝜋𝜋
𝑙𝑙 ∗ 2 ∗ 3.72 + 8.42 + 72
4
𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋
= 𝑙𝑙1 ∗ 2 ∗ 3.72 + 8.42 + 𝑙𝑙2 ∗ (72 )
4 4
𝑙𝑙 = 6.77 𝑚𝑚 (2.57 𝑚𝑚 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔. 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐) D=3.7 m
D=8.4 m Ref
Challenge the future 25
2. Effect of LV size on drag
• In this problem, we compare the drag of a 1 ton LV to that of a 0.1
ton LV. For both vehicles are given:
• Identical nose shape
• Both vehicles have a length-to-diameter ratio (l/d) of 8
• Vehicle mass density is 250 kg/m3
• Both vehicles are flying at identical velocity and have identical T/W ratio
• Effect of Reynolds number is negligible
• The drag of the larger vehicle is a factor “x” larger than that of the
smaller vehicle. Determine the factor “x”.

Challenge the future 26

Solution: Effect of LV size on drag
• Diameter of larger vehicle is about 0.86 m. Diameter of the smaller
one is about 0.4 m.
Hence, drag for the larger vehicle is (0.86 m/0.4 m)2 larger than
that of the smaller one. It follows “x” = 4.6.

For the same T/W ratio, it would mean that the thrust decreases with
a factor 10 for the smaller vehicle. However, drag only reduces with a
factor 4.6. So this shows that the smaller vehicle will suffer more
from drag than the bigger one.

Challenge the future 27

3. Effect of drag on payload capability
• Consider a single stage vehicle performing a vertical flight. For the vehicle
are given:
• Isp: 280 s
• Payload mass: 15 kg
• Initial mass: 1000 kg
• Final mass (at end of burn): 150 kg
• Drag loss: 200 m/s
• Gravity loss: 800 m/s
• Vehicle is initially at standstill
• Determine for this vehicle the reduction in payload mass (vehicle initial
mass is constant) in case aerodynamic drag is 10% higher than indicated
above while still ensuring the same final flight velocity.

Hint: Final flight velocity is ideal velocity increment minus drag loss and gravity loss.

Challenge the future 28

Effect of drag on payload capability
• First, determine final flight velocity prior to taking into account change in drag. Final
velocity is:
𝑚𝑚 1000 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
𝑉𝑉𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 280 𝑠𝑠 ∗ 9.81 2 ∗ 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 − 800 − 200
𝑠𝑠 150 𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠
𝑚𝑚
𝑉𝑉𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 4211
𝑠𝑠
• Next, determine ideal velocity increment to be realised in case of drag increase. Ideal
velocity increment is:
𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
Δ𝑉𝑉𝑖𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 4211 + 800 + 220 = 5231
𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠
• Finally, determine new vehicle mass ratio (= 6.715) and empty vehicle mass (148.91
kg). In case mass of vehicle itself does not change, it follows that payload mass needs
to change with about 1.1 kg. This makes up about 7.3% of the initial payload mass.

Challenge the future 29

4. Centaur upper stage
• Centaur upper stage is a hydrolox upper stage that serves as the main upper
stage for many US deep space missions. The stage caries roughly 13250 kg of
hydrolox propellant in two tanks, see figure, with a total volume of 46.4 m3.
Given/assume that:
• Tanks have hemi-spherical heads
• Tanks are made of steel 301 with following properties
• Yield strength: 1300 MPa
• Ultimate strength: 1520 MPa
• Mass density: 8030 kg/m3
• FoS on yield: 1.1
• FoS on ultimate load: 1.25
• MEOP LOX tank: 4.5 bar
• MEOP LH2 tank: 2.5 bar

• Estimate total tank mass (Units in inches)

Challenge the future 30

 Solution Centaur stage tank mass
1520
4.318m
1300
𝜎𝜎𝑦𝑦 = =1181.8 MPa 𝜎𝜎𝑢𝑢 = 1.25
=1216 MPa
1.1

• We find that Yield is the critical mode 1.524m

Oxygen tank Hydrogen tank
• Then tank thickness first the purely spherical
Oxygen tank
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 4.5 ∗ 1.52
𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = = ∗ 102 = 0.29𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
2𝜎𝜎 2 ∗ 1181.8
• Then we calculate the Surface areas
• And the Hydrogen tank with a spherical and
𝐴𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 4𝜋𝜋𝑟𝑟 2 = 29.18𝑚𝑚2 𝐴𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 = 41.35𝑚𝑚2
cylindrical section
• And finally the masses
2.5 ∗ 1.52
𝑡𝑡𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = ∗ 102 = 0.16𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
2 ∗ 1181.8 𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = 𝐴𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝜌𝜌 = 29.18 ∗ 0.29 ∗ 8030 ∗ 10−3 = 68kg

𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 2.5 ∗ 1.52 𝑚𝑚ℎ𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 = (𝐴𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑡𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 + 𝐴𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑡𝑡𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 )𝜌𝜌

𝑡𝑡𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = = ∗ 102 = 0.32𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
𝜎𝜎 1181.8 = 29.18 ∗ 0.16 + 41.35 ∗ 0.32 ∗ 8030 ∗ 10−3 = 144.81𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘

Challenge the future 31