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Fuel Conservation for Launch Vehicles: Falcon Heavy Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Primož Jozič

    (Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Physics Department, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 160, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Aleksander Zidanšek

    (Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Physics Department, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 160, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
    Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Robert Repnik

    (Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Physics Department, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 160, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
    Association for Technical Culture of Slovenia, Zaloška cesta 65, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

Space exploration has recently been growing at an increasing pace and has caused a significant burden to the environment, in particular, during the launch of rockets, when a large amount of fuel is burned and the exhaust gases are released in the air. For this case study, we selected the SpaceX Falcon Heavy reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle, which is one of the most promising rockets for the low-cost lifting of heavy payloads into orbit and beyond. We evaluated several strategies for optimisation of fuel consumption and for minimisation of environmental impact during launch through the atmosphere for the case of its first launch on February 6, 2018, when the rocket carried a red Tesla Roadster with a “Starman” in the direction toward Mars. In addition to the flight plan and Newtonian equations of motion, we have taken into account the thermodynamic properties of the rocket engines. Results are similar but slightly different if one minimises the total fuel consumption for the desired flight plan or if one minimises the environmental pollution during the initial stage of the launch through the atmosphere. The same methodology can be extended for launches in other directions including the Earth orbit and the Moon.

Suggested Citation

  • Primož Jozič & Aleksander Zidanšek & Robert Repnik, 2020. "Fuel Conservation for Launch Vehicles: Falcon Heavy Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:3:p:660-:d:316459
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chaolong Li & Zhixun Xia & Likun Ma & Xiang Zhao & Binbin Chen, 2019. "Numerical Study on the Solid Fuel Rocket Scramjet Combustor with Cavity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Zidanšek, Aleksander & Ambrožič, Milan & Milfelner, Maja & Blinc, Robert & Lior, Noam, 2011. "Solar orbital power: Sustainability analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 1986-1995.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wenxiao Chu & Francesco Calise & Neven Duić & Poul Alberg Østergaard & Maria Vicidomini & Qiuwang Wang, 2020. "Recent Advances in Technology, Strategy and Application of Sustainable Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-29, October.

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