Conceptual design and preliminary analyses of an Air-Launched Scramjet Test Vehicle

Abstract

Throughout aviation history, man has had a particular fascination with the quest for speed. Initial studies show that hypersonic atmospheric travel could greatly change the world of aviation as we know it today by making access to space much more routine and making all regions of the world accessible with non-stop, minimal flight time service. Supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) propulsion will play a key role in the development of these vehicles. Many more steps need to be taken, particularly in propulsion, before a world of hypersonic travel can be fully realized. This thesis presents the research results of the conceptual design and preliminary analyses of a scramjet test vehicle concept called the Air Launched Scramjet Test Vehicle, or ALSTV. The ALSTV proposes to use the Orbital Science Corporation's (OSC) Pegasus® vehicle to boost a subscale scramjet module to 100,000 feet and cruise/scramjet testing for one minute at speeds between Mach 8.0 and 8.2. It is estimated that the vehicle will cost between $35-40 million to develop and fly.