1P1-J10 Study on Enhancement of GTO Launch Capability of the H-2B Launch Vehicle(Space Engineering and Robotics and Mechatronics (2))

Abstract

In order to improve LEO launch capability, H-2B launch vehicle was developed from H-2A by means of enlargement of 1 st stage diameter. H-2B is the most powerful rocket in Japan, but her launch capability is smaller compared to foreign large launch vehicles such as Ariane 5 ECB which will have 12ton-class launch capability into GTO. In this paper, to enhance GTO launch capability of H-2B, we tried to optimize thrust level and propellant mass of 2nd stage and we also applied high performance second engine and additional SRBs, which resulted in enhancement of GTO capability to 11 ton-class from original capability of 8ton.