High level requirements impact on configuration trade-off analyses in a multidisciplinary integrated conceptual design methodology

This paper aims at suggesting rational algorithms for the selection of general characteristics of trans-atmospheric vehicles, such as the staging and propulsive strategies, take-off and landing solutions and aero-thermodynamic configurations. The presented selection algorithms exploit different types of high level requirements coming from Stakeholders’ Analysis, Market Outlook, Regulatory Framework Analysis and Strategic Plan, to support drivers and criteria definition process for the selection of the optimal solution among the alternatives. The theoretical description of each single algorithm is supported by the results obtained from the application of the methodology to a suborbital vehicle aimed at parabolic flight and to a point-to-point hypersonic transportation system. Eventually, suggestions for on-going software implementation of the algorithms as well as their integration within a complex conceptual and preliminary design workflow are provided.