Marine OperationsMarine OperationsUsingUsing
Space TransportationSpace Transportation
Terry PhillipsSchafer Corp
13 July 05
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ICD for Small Unit Space Transport and Insertion (Sustain)
• Defines Capacity for JFC to Rapidly Transport Strategic Capabilities to Any Point on Globe
• Addresses Rapid Employment of Tailored Expeditionary Forces from CONUS Including Use of National Security Space (NSS)
Material Approaches1) Increased Forward Presence
2) Evolutionary Improvements to Conventional Assault Support
3) Revolutionary Improvements to Terrestrial Aviation Capabilities
4) Space Insertion-Terrestrial Extraction
5) Space Insertion and Extraction with Refueling
6) Space Insertion and Extraction without Refueling
Marine BGen Richard C Zilmer, Commander 29 Palms Training Command:
“We briefed the Pentagon, Congress, USSOCOM, and the NSC and were never thrown out.
25-30 years from now the idea is to move a squad-sized unit of Marines to any
place on Earth in less than two hours.”
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HOT EAGLE Incrementally Addresses Multiple Capabilities
• Affordable, Reliable Spacelift
• Global or Theater ISR
• Space to Space ISR
• Space Interdiction and Control
• Force Application to Space
• Force Application to Globe
• Space Insertion of Personnel
• Global Insertion of Personnel
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Multiple Options Evaluated
• Space Insertion – Terrestrial Extraction
• Forward Deployment Space Insertion and Extraction
• Limited Range Space Insertion and Extraction Without Refueling
• Near Space Revolutionary Improvements to Terrestrial Aviation Capabilities
• Revolutionary Improvements to Terrestrial Aviation Capabilities Limited Range and Space Insertion and Extraction
• Space Insertion and Extraction With Refueling
• Space Insertion and Extraction Without Refueling
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CAV-Based Marine Space Transportation Options
Space Insertion – Terrestrial Extraction
Light Weight Structure Evolution
• Common Aero Vehicle (CAV) Resupply– Maneuvering reentry vehicle
– GPS guided parafoil final descent
– CONUS launch
– 1000 lb payload currently
• CAV-Based RV Team Insertion– 20 Klb class CAV-like vehicle
– Capacity: Marine squad plus equipment
– Trajectory optimized for low “g” with resulting light weight structure
– Integral life support
– 2 hours maximum from launch to insertion
– Stealthy insertion
• Multiple Team Extraction Concepts
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Team Extraction Approaches
• Self Extraction – Hike Out
– Leave crew capsule behind
• Aircraft/Helicopter/Ship
– Osprey / C-17 / C-130
– Leave crew capsule behind
• Crew Capsule Pick Up Via Aircraft/Helicopter
– CAV crew capsule separates from aeroshell and life support
– Crew compartment pick-up via balloon cable and C-17
– Pick up crew capsule via C-17
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Bimese RLV Marine Space Transportation Options
Forward Deployment Space Insertion & Extraction
• Use Bimese VTVL RLV
– Bimese both stages same size
– Upper stage has 24,000 fps ΔV ideal
• Forward Deploy Upper Stage Only
– Bimese can launch from CONUS, recover upper stage globally
• Refuel and Launch Upper Stage
– Upper stage inserts team
– Arrival not stealthy
• Recover Upper Stage
– Team performs mission, moves to pick-up location
• Upper Stage Picks Up Team
• Out of Box Team Extraction Idea
– Upper stage rejoins with C-17 which tows stage home
– Stage is released for independent landing 0
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Propellant Mass Fraction
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) Payload = 5,000 lbm Payload = 25,000 lbm Payload = 50,000 lbm
Vehicle Dry Weight = 100,000 lbm Landing Propellant = 12% Landing Weight Delta-V Ideal (OUT) = Delta-V Ideal (IN) + 1000 fps
Assumptions: Equal Range (In-Bound = Out-Bound) Equal Payload (In-Bound = Out-Bound)
Single Bimese Stage Range
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Bimese RLV Marine Space Transportation Options
Forward Deployment Space Insertion & Extraction (cont)
• Both Bimese Stages Could Forward Deploy
– With identical stages, 2 CONUS launches forward deploy
– Alternatively ship or aircraft could transport one stage
• Stages Mated and Fueled at Forward Location
– Upper stage inserts team
– Recovers in theater
– Portable LOX generation, JP-8 fuel, portable mating gear, bare pad launch possible with VTVL stages
• Range Increases 50-100% Using Two Stages
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Propellant Mass Fraction
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) Payload = 5,000 lbm Payload = 25,000 lbm Payload = 50,000 lbm
Vehicle Dry Weight = 100,000 lbm (each) Landing Propellant = 12% Landing Weight Delta-V Ideal (OUT) = Delta-V Ideal (IN) + 500 fps
Assumptions: Equal Range (In-Bound = Out-Bound) Equal Payload (In-Bound = Out-Bound)
Bimese RLV Range
Bimese Technology Implications
High Mass Fraction Stages Required
High AoA Reentries Useful for Stealthy Ingress
Operability Technologies for Forward deployment
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Heavy Lift RLV Marine SpaceTransportation Option
Global Insertion & Limited Range Extraction without Refueling
• Heavy-Lift Vehicle – Many Options– Launches Full-Propellant RLV Upper Stage
– CONUS to Global Locations
– Traditional modular approaches
– Or Revolutionary technologies (DE, CCE, etc.)
• RLV Uses Only Landing Propellant during Insertion– Landing propellant only 10-12% of propellant load
– Limited Stealth• Insertion sonic boom can be minimized via high
alpha reentry
• Rocket engine ignition 2-3 min prior to landing not stealthy (but throttle is low)
– Most propellant reserved for extraction
– Integral DE fire support possible
• RLV extracts team– Recovers in-theater
– 500-1000 nm range
Close to Desired Marine Capability
No CONUS Direct Return Possible Initially
Mass Fraction Improvements could Enable Longer Range Returns
Technology Implications
Very High Mass Fraction
Upper Stage Needed
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Supports SOCOM Space Enabling Concept Requirement, 18 Mar 04UNS Marine Requirement, 13 Jul 02
• Stealthy, Survivable• Transport of 13 Troops & Equipment• Launch on Demand• Unrefueled transport• No overflight restrictions• VTVL
Multiple Boost Options
High AOA High Altitude Reentry over Target Minimizes Overflight & Noise
First Order Assessment Insertion Very Viable – Egress Requires Very High Mass Fraction
VTVL Egress Option Suborbital Hop
Booster RTLS
HTV-3 Technology
Multiple Stage Options
One CONOPS
Heavy Lift RLV Marine SpaceTransportation Option
Global Insertion & Limited Range Extraction without Refueling
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High Mass Fraction Lander Notional Design Concept & Weights
Composite JP-8 Tank
Payload Bay
(9’ x 14’)
Composite LOX Tank
Avionics Rack/Low Cost GN&C
Control surfaces for high AOA flight
Modified Production RD-0124 Engine
Strap On Drop Tanks Augment performance if Required
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Team Extraction ApproachesPowered Options
• Self Extraction – Powered
– Limited Range of 300-1000 nm Initially
• Insertion Vehicle Pick Up Via Aircraft
– Boost to aircraft rendezvous – snag and tow
– Boost to parasail glide – snag and tow
– Deploy balloon from ground – snag and tow
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Upper Stage Landing Vehicle Release Marine Space Transportation Option
Limited Range Space Insertion & Extraction
• RLV Upper Stage Releases Aerodynamic Descent, Parafoil Final Descent, Landing Vehicle
• Upper Stage Recovers to Forward Location for Refueling
• Parafoil Makes Final Descent and Landing
– Stealthy insertion
– Expendable landing vehicle
• Upper Stage Extracts Team
– Recovers in-theater
– High L/D upper stage for extra range
– ~1000 nm radius
Landing Vehicle Gives Flexibility
Aerodynamic Cross-Range Useful
Stealthy Arrival
Good Radius of Action
Do Not Have to Defend Landing Vehicle
Technology Implications
Very High Mass Fraction Upper Stage Needed
High L/D Upper Stage Needed
Very Lightweight Landing Vehicle Needed
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Hypersonic Airbreathing Marine Space Transportation Options
Near Space Revolutionary Improvements to Terrestrial Aviation Capabilities
• Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle (HCV)
– Mach 10-12 HTVL airbreather
• Launch from CONUS or Forward Deployment Base
– Diego Garcia, Guam possibilities
• ~ 9000 nm Round Trip
– ~ 1 hr flight time including acceleration, deceleration
– Segments can be optimized for scenario, ROE
• Insert Team
– Approach not stealthy
• Remain with Team or Depart to Safe Area
– Potential integral DE fire support
• Extract Team
– Limit on extraction range likely T/W for vertical landing and T/O
Technology Implications
High Mass Fraction Needed
High L/D Needed
Advanced TPS Needed
Efficient Propulsion Needed
HCV is Really Fast Aircraft
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Hybrid Airbreathing-Rocket Marine Space Transportation Options
• HCV with RLV Upper Stage– RLV VTVL
• HCV Flies by or Over Target Area– Strategy determined by politics and
threat
• RLV Stage Separates and Lands– Short range flight preserves RLV
propellants
• RLV Remains or Departs to Safe Location– Integral DE fire support possible
• RLV Extracts Team In-Theater – Extraction range 1000 nm+
• Out of Box Extraction Idea– RLV rejoins with another HCV for
extraction
Hybrid Airbreathing and Rocket Stages
Revolutionary Improvements to Terrestrial Aviation CapabilitiesLimited Range Space Insertion and Extraction
Technology Implications
High Mass Fraction Needed
High L/D Needed
Advanced TPS Needed
Efficient Propulsion Needed
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On-Orbit Refueling Marine Space Transportation Option
Space Insertion & Extraction With Refueling
• TSTO Orbit-Capable RLV with VTVL Upper Stage
• Upper Stage Refueled On-Orbit– Could also add external/conformal propellant
tanks on-orbit
• Short On-Orbit Loiter of 24-72 hrs Possible
• Upper Stage Deorbits and Inserts Team– Only landing propellant used during insertion
• Integral DE Fire Support Possible
• Upper Stage remains and Extracts Team– Only landing propellant used during insertion
• External/Conformal Tanks Burned First and Jettisonned
• Range 2-4000 nm, Possibly Intercontinental with Evolved High Mass Fraction Upper Stage
• Space Basing a Possibility– Physiological effects on Marines need studying
On-Orbit Refueling Offers
Several Advantages
Technology Implications
High Mass Fraction stages Needed
High L/D Upper Stages Needed
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SSTO CONUS-CONUS Marine Space Transportation Option
Space Insertion & Extraction Without Refueling
• VTVL SSTO RLV– Rocket Powered or Combined Cycle
Airbreathing
• CONUS Insertion, CONUS Extraction– Round trip 1-4 hours flight time
• Noise and Other Signature Reductions– Stealthy ingress and egress
• Integral DE Fire Support– Lasers, EM weapons
– Stun technologies
– Other non-lethal techniques
– Non-lethal picket fence protection
• Requires Much Better Propulsion and/or Structures than exist today
• Limited duration space basing is possible
Evolutionary Changes Lead to
Development of Revolutionary Technologies
Technology Implications
Revolutionary Propulsion
or
Ultra-Lightweight Structures Needed
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Stepping Stones to Marine Capability
• CAV Being Developed by DARPA Falcon Program and AFSPC
• HCV Being Developed by DARPA Falcon Program, AFRL, and NASA (X-43, etc.)
• RLV First Stage Being Developed by AFSPC/SMC/AFRL Advanced Reusable Spacelift (ARES) Program
• RLV Upper Stage Program Could be DARPA/AFRL Hot Eagle Program
Recommendation
• Corps Support for Falcon, ARES, and Hot Eagle as Initial Stepping Stones to Capability to Place a Marine Squad Anywhere on the Globe in Two Hours
Stepping Stone Programs All Funded ExceptHot Eagle Reusable Upper Stage Program
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Hot Eagle Recommendation
• Biggest Common Technology Need for Upper Stages is High Mass Fraction Airframe / Structure
• High Mass Fraction Stages Enable Bimese, Heavy-Lift, Hybrid Airbreathing and Eventually SSTO Concepts
• DARPA/AFRL Hot Eagle RLV Upper Stage Program Should Emphasize High Mass Fraction
• High Mass Fraction Gives Higher Performance, Larger Payload, Longer Extraction Range for Marine Applications
• High Mass Fraction Allows Smaller and Less Expensive Upper Stages to Provide Same Capabilities as Larger, More Expensive Lower Mass Fraction Stages
High Mass Fraction Benefits All Space Concepts