Conceptual design of a reusable ACES TSTO space transportation system

Main Focus is the design of an air breathing TSTO reusable launch vehicle using in-flight LOX-collection. Integration of such a device in a winged space transport system can have potentials to reduce weight and hence costs for access to space. Plant architecture, influencing parameters, mode of operation and optimum working conditions of the collection device will be discussed. This will lead to a suitable design point, field of operation and requirements for application in the first stage of a reusable space transport. Preliminary investigations have shown that a turbojet propelled Mach-4 vehicle is most suitable for application of the extraction system. Based on this a complete design of the TSTO for ACES application is carried out in terms of performance, feasibility and safety reasons as well as reductions of complexity and development effort. The evaluation of potentials and risks of a technology is only possible by its examination as integral part of the entire system.