Responsive Access Small Cargo Affordable Launch (RASCAL ...

done to compare the two vehicles with the same performance. This was be completed by
combining both the first and second stages into one trajectory deck and letting the
optimizer find the smallest vehicle (weight consumed) that can get 250 lbs to the 98
degree sun-synchronous orbit. These vehicles will be closed in much the same way as
the baseline with both vehicles being evaluated in the DSM and the resulting
performance and costs compared.
Each of the alternatives was able to meet the performance goals set out by the
RASCAL program. A summary of the total weights of the resulting designs is included as
Figure 29. As this figure shows, at each stage the fifth alternative results in a smaller
vehicle. The MMC technology offered a lighter, better performing first stage, which
allowed the second stage to achieve a smaller ∆V. The baseline is also included in this
figure even though the payload of the baseline is only 20% that of the alternative designs.
Weight (lbs)
120000
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
0
Baseline
Alternative 4
Alternative 5
Payload
52 lbs
250 lbs
250 lbs
Gross Weight Dry Weight 1st Gross Weight Upper
Figure 29: Optimized Alternatives Performance Comparison
Baseline
Alternative 4
Alternative 5
40