Reducing Environmental Damage After Emergency Engine Cutoff of the Launch Vehicle

The concept of reducing environmental impact from a launch vehicle after the emergency cutoff of the liquid-propellant engine is proposed. A key component of the proposed concept is an onboard propellant gasification system, installed on the rocket blocks of the launch vehicle. The onboard propellant gasification system performs forced gasification of the propellant residues in the tanks of the launch vehicle, using the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The vaporized propellant and pressurizing agent (helium) from the tanks are used in cold-gas thrusters that control the attitude motion of the launch vehicle and the motion of the center of mass. The onboard propellant gasification system drives the failed launch vehicle to the preselected emergency drop area with minimal environmental impact. A methodology for the selection of design parameters of the onboard propellant gasification system based on the first law of thermodynamics is developed. A simulation example is included to demonstrate the use of onboard propellant gasification system after the emergency cutoff of the main engine during the second stage of a launch vehicle.

Automated summary

The concept proposes reducing environmental impact post-emergency cutoff of the liquid-propellant engine by utilizing an onboard propellant gasification system to control the launch vehicle's motion and guide it to a safe landing area. The system forces gasification of residual propellant using hydrogen peroxide, with vaporized propellant and helium used in thrusters for motion control. The design parameters are selected based on the first law of thermodynamics, and a simulation example demonstrates its effectiveness.