Modeling and experimental validation of vertical landing reusable launch vehicle under symmetric landing conditions

This paper illustrates the dynamic modeling, experimental validation of Reusable Launch Vehicle under symmetric landing mode. Firstly, a new quasi-3D dynamic landing model of vehicle under 2-2 and 1-2-1 symmetric landing mode is established, which can predict the plane motion of the main body and the spatial motion of landing struts and footpads. The strut force, footpad-ground contact force and the liquid spring damper are also included in the model. Secondly, the landing impact experiments are performed for 2-2 and 1-2-1 symmetric landing mode. The main and auxiliary strut force are obtained, along with the force-stroke diagram of damper. By comparing with experimental data, the accuracy of simulation model is verified. It is found that the simulation model possesses good match with tested responses in damping stroke and main strut force. The simulation and experiment also indicate the same trend in auxiliary strut force and main body acceleration. The main discrepancies attribute to the simplified structural flexibility and nonlinear contact.