This paper explores the potential of utilizing the RD-107/108 engine and its components in developing propulsion systems for light and ultralight launchers. This engine stands out for its low thrust cost among Russian rocket engines and features steering chambers that could be adapted to create a lower-thrust variant. This modified engine could achieve a vacuum thrust of approximately 4 ton-force and a specific impulse of around 305 s. It also has the potential for upgrades to enhance the specific impulse up to 347 s, enabling reactivation and reuse in the return stages of the launcher. Ballistic modeling indicates that this approach could lead to a range of ultralight and light launch vehicles with payload capacities from 250 kg to over 1000 kg for sun-synchronous orbits at 500 km altitude. These vehicles would match or exceed the technical and economic performance of leading global models. According to published plans for Russian spacecraft launches, such vehicles could see a market of dozens of launches annually.

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Prospects for Development of Light and Ultra-Light Launch Vehicles Using the RD-107/108 Engine Technology

  • Pavel M. Bechasnov

摘要

This paper explores the potential of utilizing the RD-107/108 engine and its components in developing propulsion systems for light and ultralight launchers. This engine stands out for its low thrust cost among Russian rocket engines and features steering chambers that could be adapted to create a lower-thrust variant. This modified engine could achieve a vacuum thrust of approximately 4 ton-force and a specific impulse of around 305 s. It also has the potential for upgrades to enhance the specific impulse up to 347 s, enabling reactivation and reuse in the return stages of the launcher. Ballistic modeling indicates that this approach could lead to a range of ultralight and light launch vehicles with payload capacities from 250 kg to over 1000 kg for sun-synchronous orbits at 500 km altitude. These vehicles would match or exceed the technical and economic performance of leading global models. According to published plans for Russian spacecraft launches, such vehicles could see a market of dozens of launches annually.