The DSL reference trajectory is a pure acceleration flight without any endurance. The flight path of the space transportation system's booster stage is constrained by a minimum flight altitude to cross the sonic border (approximately 6 km) and a maximum dynamic pressure of 40 kPa. The separation conditions of the DSL system (M=2.7, altitude about 20 km, and flight path angle g of 12°) are matched by a pull-up maneuver with a load factor less than 2.0. The range for the acceleration mission depends on the type of turbo-engine that is used. The reference system, powered by modified OLYMPUS593, covers a distance of about 280 km in approximately 600s.
Descent to the launch site has been analyzed and shows marginal fuel consumption.
Last modification of this page: 16. September 1996
Contribution(s) to this page: Martin Sippel, ,Matthias Sodomann