Optimization of Heavy Lift Vehicles for Launch to Low Earth Orbit
Major Douglas Bayley is a PhD student at Auburn being funded for graduate study by the Air Force as a part of his career development. The subject of Maj. Bayley's dissertation research is optimization of earth to orbit launch vehicles primarily for minimum cost. In his design optimization study, Maj. Bayley is considering combinations of solid rocket boosters, liquid rocket engine systems and air breathing options for possible propulsion systems. A schematic illustrating a three stage solid motor powered design developed using the Genetic Algorithm based optimization tool is shown in the figure below.
Three-stage Solid Propellant Rocket Schematic
Maj. Bayley is expected to complete his dissertation work in the spring of 2007 and will be joining the faculty at the Air Force Academy in the fall of 2007.
