REVOLUTIONARY TURBINE ACCELERATOR (RTA) TWO -STAGE -TO -ORBIT (TSTO) VEHICLE STUDY

This paper documents the results of the TSTO Vehicle Study conducted by the Boeing Phantom Works in 2001 for the NASA Glenn RTA program. Significant design progress has been made in the Boeing RTA study in the areas of mold line development, landing gear, structures , aeroheating, weight modeling, and propellant tank placement for both the first and second stages. Trajectory optimization and aerodynamic database updates have been implemented and important trades have been conducted concerning staging Mach number, rock et use, first -stage cruise -back optimization, and engine T/W. Optimized vehicle performance was generated with sets of engine data from each of the participating engine companies and feedback was provided to improve their engines. Boeing worked with NASA and the engine companies to update the engine requirements for the turbine engines. Initial inlet and nozzle integration work was completed to define new performance levels and weights. Boeing defined the approach and alternate concepts for future trades . The study concluded that a TSTO vehicle with a turbine -powered first stage and an RBCC powered second stage is a feasible concept and identified turbine engine characteristics required for such a vehicle.