|
"We intended to get off Earth a lot sooner than we did. But we were just having too much fun with the spaceplane and aircraft business ... and, let's face it, Earth is the place for that." -- interview with Greg Burch, Goddard City, 2137 |
|
From Age of Expansion: Technology of the Early Exodus, Han Guo Ming, Ceres, 2142 The SwiftSS (standing for Swift Spaceplane System) was born from a confluence of three factors within the Burchismo Aerospace enterprise. First, the success of the Swift1 and 2Swift turbojet personal aircraft had created a significant body of experience in the company with basic low-Mach-number airframe design and integration. Second, the mainstay Big SpacePlane and SpacePlane 2.0 products had proved viable as commercial offerings. Finally, and most importantly though, the proliferation of bio-human habitats in LEO had created a significant demand for low-cost and simple "crew return vehicles" or, to use the more appropriate term, lifeboats. This market cried out for light weight, reliable spaceplanes that could be stored on orbit for long periods of time with little or no maintenance, but that provided greater cross-range flexibility than the many ballistic capsule designs that had served the first period of LEO habitation, such as the SpaceX Dragon and its many successors and immitators in the second quarter of the 21st century. Development of the SwiftSS began in response to that demand for a highly manoeverable. but simple and inexpensive LEO lifeboat. But it wasn't long into the project's early stages that the "traditional" aviation division within Burchismo proposed the idea of using the lifeboat airframe as the foundation for a flexible range of products that eventually included the mature SwiftSS design. Thus was born the idea of a modular aerospaceplane that could be re-engined with relative ease. At the same time, the experience gained with the SpacePlane 2.0 and Big SpacePlane air-breathing first stages provided the groundwork for the development of an all new "tri-brid" booster, which was coupled with a slightly scaled-down version of the pure rocket second stage booster from the SpacePlane 2.0 program. |
|
|
||
|
|
Weighing under two tons and at a length of under seven meters while accomodating five standard bio-humans, the basic airframe of the SwiftSS is, relative to its capacity and performance, the lightest and most compact fully functional spaceplane yet produced. This is achieved by use of ultra-light diamond-phase carbon and ceramics, manufactured using molecular-scale fabrication. The Swift Spaceplane System is built around a common, compact airframe and common crew accommodation systems 
|
|
 |
|
The above illustration indicates the layout of major internal components of the SwiftSS. Of particular interest is the way in which bio-human toilet functions are handled: The pilot's and each passenger's seat contains a toilet and waste processing facility. Pilot and passengers can have privacy for washing and toilet functions by deploying a fabric privacy cocoon from the slim compartment in the bottom of each seat base. The extremely thin outer envelope is sufficient to provide structural strength and thermal protection due to its construction in alternating fine layers of diamond-phase, honeycombed carbon and ceramic sheets. Active cooling takes place in key areas during atmospheric entry. Engine oxidizer circulates through microscopic channels in the airframe's carbon layers during periods of peak heating. The very tight packaging of crew accommodation systems is usable in a one-G environment, but becomes much more comfortable on orbit. Note that the pilot's seat back folds down and back on orbit, allowing access between the cockpit and passenger compartment. Use of the airlock and extended docking tube is illustrated in the image below, where a SwiftSS is depicted docked to a pressurized habitat, and transit into the habitat is underway:
Although it is a close fit, fully suited EVAs can be conducted from the SwiftSS's airlock. Suit stowage is in the airlock prior to its extension, and suit donning is accomplished in the crew compartment. The airlock can accommodate a single EVA participant, who must draw her knees up into a "fetal position" to close the inner airlock hatch and cycle the airlock. Externally, the Swift SS is a combination 60-degree delta wing and lifting body shape, with substantial lift generated by the contours of the central dorsal bulge of the passenger accommodation volume.
The illustration below depicts the engine-swap options available with the SwiftSS. From top to bottom are shown the turbojets, rocket engines and ventral scramjet pod. The aerospaceplane's fuel management system is designed for quick flushing that allows use of standard JP7 fuel for the turbojets, held in tanks that accomodate the rocket's liquid hydrogen fuel when the vehicle is configured for space travel. Tanks conforming to the space inside the wings also hold unpressurized JP-7. These tanks can accommodate various coolants in other modes to increase the SwiftSS's thermal tolerance in scramjet and spaceplane modes.
|
 |
||
|
The first stage of the SwiftSS space access system is an unmanned, air-breathing, horizontal take-off and landing vehicle. It is informally known as the "Hyper-Wedge" because of its shape, which is based on the work done in the so-called "hypersonic revolution" of the first two decades of the 21st century. The Hyper-Wedge is capable of sustained cruise at speeds between Mach 10 and Mach 11 at altitudes between 150,000 and 200,000 feet (45,000 and 60,000 meters), the flight regime in which the second stage is launched. A central cavity in the rear portion of the aircraft snugly accommodates the SwiftSS second stage and, unlike previous Burchismo air-breathing first stage space launchers, provides a nearly complete aerodynamic sheath for its payload. The payload area is split at the extreme rear portion of the aircraft, allowing a clear space for the SwiftSS itself to ride above the Hyper-Wedge, where it is protected from hypersonic airflow by the shock wake of the fairing protecting the second stage.
At Mach 3, the winglets at the rear of the vehicle are folded up 70 degrees, reducing lift and increasing lateral stability.
|
|
||
|
|
|
The SwiftSS LifeBoat System is based on the LifeBoat Node, which supports four SwiftSS LifeBoats. The LifeBoat Node is designed to mate with regular docking operations to standard Burchismo Aerospace Class A1 Hab Modules. It is the longest module designed to fit within the payload bay of BA's Big SpacePlane 4.0, and is supplied with a cargo cradle that elevates it out of the bay for grappling and transfer. The LifeBoat Node is a self-contained emergency response and rescue support facility. In the former role, it is equipped with a significant amount of backup consumables, a small, automated medical stabilization facility for bio-humans ranging from HS 1.0 through 1.9x, system support for synthetics conforming to SP2063 standard onward, and its own fuel cell and battery power supplies good for one week of sustained operation without external support. In the latter role, the LifeBoat Node is an autonomous support facility for four SwiftSS LifeBoats. This includes LifeBoat systems status monitoring and reporting, significant self-maintenance and self-repair capacity, and backup consumables, fuel and oxidizer storage in the tanks situated along the Node's center line. Each SwiftSS LifeBoat Node is designed to support emergency response and evacuation of up to 20 bio-humans through augmentation level 1.9, and a broad range of synthetic persons. Burchismo Aerospace subsidiary Space Safety Systems, LLC offers turnkey systems monitoring, support and maintenance, including Node supply restocking and lifeboat rotation.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
I. INTRODUCTION. As with all Burchismo Aerospace products and systems, flight training and planning for the SwiftSS is done with the Orbiter spaceflight simulator. The SwiftSS Orbiter simulation utilizes Vinka's Spacecraft3.dll foundation, which must be downloaded and installed before the SwiftSS addon will function. The "Release MFD" addon by Friedrich Kastner-Masilko is included with this addon, is not required, but enhances the flight experience by allowing you to detach from the cockpit view of the vehicle you're flying. Because of the addon author's own limitations, realistic simulation of the SwiftSS within the Orbiter environment requires the use of some imagination and restraint. The Hyper-Wedge and air-breathing versions of the SwiftSS aerospaceplane will achieve unrealistically high velocities and altitudes if the user exceeds the limits described in the Flight Operations section. Accordingly, roughly following the flight profiles described below is required for accurate simluation.
III. FLIGHT OPERATIONS. Procedures for operating SwiftSS components are described in this section. A. Space Access. The following procedures apply to operation of the full, three-stage SwiftSS space access system. Note that delta-V margins are relatively tight, and that successfully achieving the designated target performance may require some practice. Also note that the higher the latitude of the launch site, the more carefully you must conserve fuel and adhere to the described flight procedures. 1. First Stage. All launch scenarios begin with the three stages mated and fully fueled, with the first stage at the end of the runway and properly alligned for takeoff.
1.1. MFD Settings. Launch scenarios begin with external focus set on the Hyper-Wedge, and the Orbiter-standard aero-flight MFD open on the left, and the "Flight Instruments" addon MFD open on the right in the internal view. You may want to switch to the Orbit MFD, and select the "Ship" view and "Dist" setting for later use. 1.2. Takeoff. Increase Hyper-Wedge throttle to 50%. Rotation is possible above 350 knots (180 m/s). Increase trim to +10% and begin climb at between 10 and 30 degrees. Raise landing gear ("G"). 1.3. Initial Climb. Reduce throttle to approximately 1/3 setting and manage elevator and trim to climb to ~70,000 feet (21km) and air speed of Mach 3. At this point fold winglets ("L-Shft-0") 1.4. Hypersonic Flight. Continue managing elevator and trim to pass through Mach 6 at approximately 120,000 feet (36km). At this point trim should be set to approximately +30%. 1.5. Launch. Target air speed and altitude is Mach 10.75 and 160,000 feet (49km). Trim should be set to approximately +40%, with the vehicle at a slight (<10 degrees) pitch up relative to the horizon. Reduce time setting ("R"), cut engine ("Keypad-*") and switch to SSS Booster ("F3"). Activate release MFD and release SSS Booster. 2. Second Stage.
2.1 MFD Settings. Make sure the Orbit MFD is open and displays the Ship projection and orbital elements in distance AGL ("above ground level") for proper apogee targeting. 2.2 Separation and Ignition. Allow the Second stage to drop clear of the Hyper-Wedge by at least 30 feet (10 meters), while keeping the nose up above the velocity vector indicator by at least 10 degrees. Ignite engines at full throttle ("Ctrl-Keypad-+"). 2.3 Boost Phase. Manage attitude to achieve an apogee above 100km, but below 250km. This typically requires achieving a substantial nose-up attitude in the initial boost phase, followed by a steady depression of pitch until attitude is alligned with or even slightly below the velocity vector. Cut engine ("Keypad-*") when fuel is between 1% and 2% (to allow RCS manoevering following third-stage separation). This step is critical and difficult, as too low or high an apogee will prevent the SwiftSS orbiter from achieving orbit, while completely depleting the SwiftSS Booster's fuel will negate attitude control during Booster reentry. 2.4 Coast Phase. Use elevator and RCS to trim the apogee while the SSS Booster is still in the sensible atmosphere. Once above approximately 90km, the SSS Booster and its payload are purely ballistic. 2.5 Separation. Switch ("F3") to the SwiftSS orbiter. Switch RCS mode to translation mode ("Keypad-/"). Call up the Release MFD, activate the release and provide minimal "up" (+Y) thrust to a separation velocity of 1 m/s. 3. Orbit Insertion.
3.1 Coast Phase. Continue coasting upward toward apogee, monitoring separation from the SSS Booster. Deploy Speed Brakes / Radiators ("K") to maintain thermal control. 3.2 Orbit Insertion Burn. You can begin your orbit insertion burn while still maintaining a constant apogee at ~T=Apt-60 seconds by slightly depressing pitch below the velocity vector. Begin thrusting at low power ("Ctrl-Keypad-+") and monitor pitch and apogee to ensure that you are maximizing forward velocity (as opposed to merely raising the apogee). As you approach apogee, raise pitch to the velocity vector indicator as it alligns with the horizon indicator. At ~T=Apt-20 seconds, increase thrust and monitor perigee to achieve circular orbit. Cut engine ("Keypad-*") when pergiee is above the sensible atmosphere (i.e. above 100km) or until orbit circularization (perigee=apogee). In an equatorial orbit, following your orbital insertion burn you should have ~20%-35% fuel remaining for later rendezvous, docking and deorbit manoevers. Development testing has indicated that this is sufficient for well-managed approaches and docking with targets in 500km circular orbits. In higher-inclination orbits, this margin can be as low as 10%-20%, making rendezvous and docking with targits in standard 500km orbits very challenging. 3.3 Deploy Docking Tube. Open the docking tube fairing and deploy docking tube ("L-Shift-Keypad-7"). Radiators in interior panels of the docking tube fairng further enhance thermal control. 4. Booster Recovery. In "real life" the first and second stage recovery would be automated. Within the Orbiter simulation, while not impossible, recovering the first and second stages is difficult and requires careful time management. Use the F3 key to switch to the Hyper-Wedge and SSS Booster during the SwiftSS's coast to its orbital insertion burn to manage flight and reentry, and then, following the SwiftSS orbital insertion burn and setup for orbital operations, again return to the Hyper-Wedge and SSS Booster to manage aerodynamic cruise and coast to downrange runways. 5. De-Orbit. De-orbit operations follow standard Orbiter procedure. Because the SwiftSS dry mass is so small and, unless refueled on-orbit, will be extremely light, use of the forward firing rockets ("Keypad-minus") is usually sufficient, while even less thrust from the RCS in translation mode will often also be sufficient to lower the perigee acceptably, although this obviously takes longer. 6. Reentry. Although high-angle reentries are possible, the SwiftSS is designed for a low-angle, long, skip-gliding reentry. This typically involves lowering the pergiee to well within the sensible atmosphere (e.g. ~30km), and then using elevator, trim, and airbrakes to maintain a very high altitude (above 200,000 feet; 60km) glide, at low positive or negative angles of attack and at speeds above Mach 18. Once skipping above ~80 km is finished, turn off the RCS system to conserve fuel ("Ctrl-Keypad-/"). Target speed is Mach 18 at an uprange distance of 2500 km. 7. Landing. Begin more agressive use of speed brakes between 2500 and 1000 km uprange. Target final approach to an uprange distance of ~200 km and a speed of Mach 4 and altitude of 100,000 feet (30km). Typical landings will occur with the vehicle very light (e.g. with less than 5% fuel), and therefore low-speed handling is very good. Use speed brakes to hit targets during descent of Mach 3 at 70,000 feet (21,000 meters), Mach 2 at 50,000 feet (15,000 m) and Mach 1 at 25,000 feet (7,500 m). Deploy landing gear below 190m/s and altitude of 5000 feet (21,500 m).  
B. Swift Lifeboat. The Swift Lifeboat is intended for "one-way" trips only, i.e. for returning LEO habitat bio-human crew members to Earth in an emergency situation. The Lifeboat uses only a higher thrust setting for its standard Z-axis RCS jets as its main and retro engines ("Keypad-plus and -minus"). The scenarios included that demonstrate the Lifeboat Nodes require download and installation of my Big SpacePlane and Space Station Building Blocks addons. C. Atmospheric Flight. Realistically flying the jet versions of the SwiftSS is a simple matter of imposing some limitations on yourself. The SwiftSS versions equipped with only tubrojets should have a top speed of Mach 3 and a ceiling of 70,000 feet (21,000 meters). The scramjet equipped SwiftSS versions should close the turbojet spikes at Mach 3 ("L-Shift-Keypad-9") and cruise up to Mach 6.5 and an altitude of 125,000 feet (38,000 meters). These limits can only be self-imposed by lowering the throttle; otherwise, you'll be in the realm of "magic physics." IV. VERSIONS. The following table sets out the various versions of the included vehicles, modules and human figures, with some notes about their size and intended use.
*LBN1-3 are normal orbiter "Vessel" config files. All others are spacecraft3.dll .ini files. V. SCENARIOS. Many scenarios are included with this addon. They have descriptive names, indicating which modules are involved and the general gist of the scenario. Users should take these as starting points to cut and paste and create their own scenarios: The SwiftSS vessels and modules are obviously intended for use with other Orbiter addons.
|
