Reusable Launch Vehicle
Website: https://cislunarspace.cn
Definition
A Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) is a launch vehicle capable of multiple launches and recoveries for reuse. Compared to traditional expendable launch vehicles, reusable launch vehicles recover first-stage boosters and even payload fairings, which are inspected and maintained before being launched again, significantly reducing launch costs.
Technical Approaches
Vertical Landing Recovery
The vertical landing recovery approach, exemplified by SpaceX's Falcon series, achieves first-stage booster vertical landing through engine retro-propulsion, grid fin aerodynamic control, and hydraulic landing legs:
- Falcon 9: The world's most mature reusable launch vehicle, with a first-stage booster capable of multiple reuses, reducing launch costs from approximately $60 million to approximately $50 million
- Falcon Heavy: Three first-stage boosters can be recovered separately, with the two side boosters capable of vertical landing
- Starship: Fully reusable design, including the upper-stage spacecraft and lower-stage Super Heavy booster, both designed for vertical landing recovery
Key Technologies for Vertical Landing
- Propulsive Landing: Rocket engines perform retro-propulsion to decelerate from high speed to zero for vertical landing
- Grid Fins: Provide aerodynamic attitude control and deceleration during the rocket's return
- Soft Landing Technology: Hydraulically or pneumatically driven landing legs ensure stable touchdown
Horizontal Recovery
The horizontal recovery approach, exemplified by Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket, uses parachute deceleration followed by horizontal ground gliding:
- New Shepard: A suborbital reusable rocket; after vertical launch, the booster decelerates via parachute and lands vertically
- Partially Reusable: Only the booster is recovered; fairings are recovered via parachute
Parachute Recovery
- Fairing Recovery: Fairings decelerate via parachute and descend in the air for reuse or recovery
- Sea-based Recovery: Rocket recovery on sea platforms, reducing the constraints of land-based recovery
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Reusable technology has a significant impact on launch costs:
| Vehicle | Expendable Launch Cost | Reusable Launch Cost | Cost Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falcon 9 | ~$60M | ~$50M | ~15% |
| Starship (target) | Estimated hundreds of $M | Target <$10M | >95% |
Key sources of cost reduction:
- Hardware reuse reduces new rocket manufacturing costs
- Higher launch frequency amortizes R&D costs
- Mass production reduces per-unit costs
Cislunar Space Applications
Reusable launch vehicles are of great significance to cislunar space activities:
- Transportation Cost Revolution: Reduces cislunar cargo transportation costs by more than an order of magnitude
- High-Frequency Launch Capability: Supports large-scale satellite constellation deployment and cislunar infrastructure construction
- Commercial Viability: Makes large-scale cislunar space development economically feasible
Related Concepts
References
- SpaceX, "Falcon 9 User Guide", 2024.
- Blue Origin, "New Shepard Payload User's Guide", 2024.
- KASA, "Space Transportation Strategic Plan", 2024.