Conclusion

This article presents pre-project launcher staging methods, based on simplified models of the launcher and its trajectory.

A simplified control law derived from an analytical solution of the adjoint enables coupled optimization of the staging and trajectory. During this coupled optimization, the trajectory takes into account the design and final constraints. The resulting configuration is then recalibrated to achieve the target performance with a margin that takes account of model uncertainties. This recalibration can also take into account operational constraints (backup, visibility) likely to result in a loss of performance.

The evaluation of the propellant reserve is taken into account when optimizing the trajectory, in order to obtain a guaranteed performance at the requested probability level.

These methods...