Development of a Lox/Methane intact impact yield curve for a new launch vehicle

Abstract

Intact impact yield curves are a key flight safety analysis input to assess the risk from explosive blast and Distant Focusing Overpressure (DFO) effects. Many new launch vehicles are utilizing Liquid Oxygen and Liquid Methane (LOX/Methane) as their propellants, a combination that does not have a historical yield curve. This paper describes SpaceX's work to develop a new LOX/Methane yield curve; unlike traditional yield curves, this work includes characterizing the effects of the launch vehicle's design and its breakup behavior. SpaceX expanded on the work of Blackwood et al. [1] to evaluate the theoretical explosive potential of an impacting launch vehicle. The theoretical model was then tested in a subscale test campaign like Project PYRO and HOVI, consisting of over 40 drop tests. The theoretical model, testing data, and launch vehicle design can be used to generate a conservative LOX/Methane yield curve for a new launch vehicle.