Design of Rockets and Space Launch Vehicles

With growing interest in space activity and numerous new launchers in development, Design of Rockets and Space Launch Vehicles is a timely, comprehensive survey of important concepts and applications. It enhances understanding and provides exposure to practical aspects of design, manufacturing, testing, and engineering associated with these topics. The subject is mature, but the applications are changing and a new generation of engineers and designers are joining the aerospace industry. Intended for senior undergraduates and those with at least a bachelor’s level of engineering training, it contains many examples illustrated with photographs or line drawings of actual hardware or existing equipment.

The book begins with an introduction followed by a detailed history chapter. Next come requirements and performance estimation. At this point, the actual process of vehicle design is presented in a step-by-step method, introducing Level 1 sizing, mass, inboard profile, aerodynamic coefficients, trajectory simulation, mass distribution, loads distribution, Level 2 structural design, vehicle stability & control, vibration/shock/acoustic/thermal, flexible body effects and instabilities, manufacturing, launch pad facilities, cost estimation, range safety, failures and lessons learned. These topics are laid out in a logical order so as to follow a reasonable path through a Level 1 design effort.