Future launch systems are required to reduce significantly the cost of access to space, for civil and commercial purposes. In order to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of reusable systems, USA, Japan, and Europe study the possible evolution, from expendables launchers to reusable ones.
Compared with the existing expendable launchers, reusable vehicles will become real spacecrafts with a longer flight duration, especially the orbital phase, requiring a suitable energy management. In this frame, the thermal control system shall be achieved with strong layout constraints, leading to innovative designs.
This paper intends to present how thermal system concepts could contribute to the economic efficiency of reusable launch vehicles.