The design procedures for aerospace vehicles can vary depending on the type of vehicle and its intended use. The design process typically involves a multidisciplinary team of engineers, including aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and materials engineers, who work together to design and develop the vehicle.
Mission Analysis
The first step in the design process is to define the mission objectives and requirements for the vehicle. This includes determining the payload capacity, range, speed, altitude, and other performance parameters.
Conceptual Design
Once the mission requirements are defined, the next step is to develop a conceptual design for the vehicle. This involves selecting the vehicle configuration, propulsion system, aerodynamic design, and structural design.
Preliminary Design
Once the conceptual design is completed, the next step is to perform a preliminary design analysis to ensure that the vehicle meets the performance requirements. This includes determining the vehicle weight, center of gravity, and stability characteristics.
Detailed Design
After the preliminary design analysis is completed, the next step is to develop a detailed design of the vehicle. This includes designing the individual components and subsystems, such as the wings, fuselage, propulsion system, and control systems.
Analysis and Testing
Once the detailed design is completed, the vehicle must undergo a series of analyses and tests to ensure that it meets the performance requirements. This includes performing wind tunnel tests, structural tests, and flight simulations.
Manufacturing and Assembly
After the vehicle design is validated, the next step is to manufacture and assemble the vehicle components. This includes selecting the appropriate materials and manufacturing techniques, and ensuring that the components are fabricated to the required tolerances.
Flight Test and Certification
The final step in the design process is to conduct flight tests to validate the vehicle’s performance in real-world conditions. This includes obtaining the necessary regulatory certifications for the vehicle, such as FAA or EASA, and other Government certification.