Su-22 and MiG-29 aircraft as air-launch platforms for space rockets

Olejnik, Aleksander; Zalewski, Piotr

doi:10.5604/01.3001.0014.8874

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The risk analysis indicates that the risks to the success of the program are acceptable. Detailed results of the project are available (Olejnik et al, 2020.…”

Section: Responsive Space System For the Polish Armed Forcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Air-rocket space launch system - as Responsive Space System

Filipiak

Zalewski

Postek

2022

Przegląd Nauk o Obronności

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ObjectivesThe study was to analyze the concept of Responsive Space Systems alternative launch and set of the nanomicro satellites into Low Earth Orbit. The analysis focused on aircraft-rocket space systems, where platform for launching a rocket with a satellite is an aircraft.The aircraft in the role of the platform provides opportunities, system thus the operator doesn't need bases or space ports in European conditions.MethodsAnalysis of the research area, focused on the review, critical analysis, evaluation of the available literature, resources. The work was supplemented with the results and recommendation of the research project recently carried out at the MUT.ResultsSystems were presented in view of the war in Ukraine. Existing operational and currently designed systems were reviewed. Article evaluated the aerial-rocket systems for launching objects into the LEO in the context of the system's operational costs and capabilities, potential market and further military and civilian applications also the needs of the Polish Armed Forces. Combat aircraft and rocket kits based on decommissioned from PAF fighters were proposed and valuated.ConclusionsImplementation of system gives autonomy from countries or companies offering space services, possibility of mastering new capabilities of placing satellite systems for security&defense purposes. For the PAF, aircraft-rocket kits based on phased-out supersonic combat aircraft may be the start of the development and construction of the national Responsive Space System. The country's scientific-industrial base has competence to design&build such a system. Polish Space Agency can act as an integrator of the system just as NASA did in the 1960s.

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“…The risk analysis indicates that the risks to the success of the program are acceptable. Detailed results of the project are available (Olejnik et al, 2020.…”

Section: Responsive Space System For the Polish Armed Forcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Air-rocket space launch system - as Responsive Space System

Filipiak

Zalewski

Postek

2022

Przegląd Nauk o Obronności

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“…The carrier platform for space operations was chosen as the Su-22M4 or MiG-29A combat aircraft, both staying at end-oflife operating phase in the Polish Air Force (Olejnik et al, 2020(Olejnik et al, , 2022a(Olejnik et al, , 2022b. They can fly supersonic and an operational ceiling of over 15,000 m, sufficiently high to consider the launch of a missile with a satellite payload as a viable concept.…”

Section: Configuration Of the Polish Air Launch Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combat aircraft as airborne launch platforms for space rockets

Olejnik

Zalewski²,

Kiszkowiak³

et al. 2022

AEAT

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Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the possibility of using combat aircraft including decommissioned as a platform for launching and carrying space rockets with satellites (nano and microsatellites). Thus, an airborne-launcher-to-space-system may be attractive to countries without ground-based space rocket launch sites. Design/methodology/approach For considered launch-to-orbit system configurations, simulations of space rocket effects on aerodynamic characteristics were performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD ANSYS Fluent) methods. In addition, experimental studies were performed in a wind tunnel to verify the numerical simulations. Discrete models of the aircraft structure were developed for analysis using finite element method (FEM). The analysis of simulated structural properties of the models was carried out to test its stiffness and mass characteristics important for solving the static and dynamic problems of the structure. The validation analyses of aircraft models were based on mass distribution estimation and matching the stiffness properties of the individual airframe structural assemblies. Findings The results of numerical analyses and tunnel tests indicate that the influence of carrier rockets on the change of aerodynamic and strength characteristics of the airframe is rather negligible. The aircraft can be used as launching platforms for space rockets. Simulations have indicated that the aircraft will successfully perform a mission of taking away and launching a rocket of at least about 1,000 kg total weight with a 10 kg space payload included. Practical implications The combat aircraft can be used as launch platforms for space rockets, and the air/rocket set can become the equivalent of responsive space assets for countries with small space budgets. Originality/value The work presents original results obtained by the authors during a preliminary design of a low-cost satellite launch system consisting of a carrier aircraft and a space rocket orbiter. The possibility of using decommissioned combat aircraft as air-launch-to-orbit platforms was taken into consideration. In the absence of aircraft design documentation, reverse engineering methods and techniques were used to develop aircraft geometry and airframe strength structure. Use of CFD, FEM and simulation methods to evaluate system capabilities was demonstrated. Numerical results from CFD simulations were finally verified in experimental tests.

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Space rocket for air-rocket system

ZALEWSKI,

Kachel,

Motyl

2023

Journal of Konbin

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The traditional and most used method of launching payloads into Earth orbit is to launch a carrier rocket from the surface. An alternative method of space transport is launching payloads into Earth's orbit using air-rocket (air-assisted) systems. The concept of mixed space transport involves launching a space rocket with a payload from an aircraft or other reusable platform-carrier at a specific altitude above the Earth's surface. The air-rocket system enables the launch of small satellites while reducing ground infrastructure and costs. Such a method seems promising in the context of relatively cheap, mobile and responsive small payload launch systems. It is an interesting proposition and beneficial especially for countries without convenient conditions to build their own spaceport. The paper analyses the fundamental requirements for the design of rockets used in this type of system and performs preliminary calculations of a conceptual two- and three-stage rocket capable of lifting a payload of 10 kg into a zero-inclination orbit at an altitude of 500 km. The analyses carried out were based on available research reports in this area.

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Su-22 and MiG-29 aircraft as air-launch platforms for space rockets

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Air-rocket space launch system - as Responsive Space System

Air-rocket space launch system - as Responsive Space System

Combat aircraft as airborne launch platforms for space rockets

Space rocket for air-rocket system

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