USV3 System Concept Development Overview

This paper presents the design logic of the USV3, an autonomous space vehicle capable of orbital flight, re-entry and landing demonstration. Starting from high level requirements, the aeroshape class was identified and developed mainly looking at landing performances and mass reduction. Preliminary aerodatabases and re-entry trajectories were developed to assess also mission capability. Once the aeroshape and the mission scenario were identified system and sub-system analysis were performed to close the system loop. Main results of the system development are described.