Heuristic-intelligent design schemes a solution paradigm for transatmospheric cruiser

Space planes are widely envisaged as the most viable solution for carrying out space activities in the future. The highly coupled natures of lift and propulsion mechanism in space planes limit the use of classical design approach. A paradigm shift in design methodologies is needed. Cognitive-intelligent methods must therefore be employed to evolve Heuristic-Intelligent Design Schemes that do not rely on archival data. These schemes must also be self-starting to avoid tedious recursions - hence inverse design approaches are recommended that can get integrated with heuristic-intelligent methods. A fast and frugal method based on high-fidelity approximate analytical formulation that uses hypersonic aerothermodynamics and energy partition principles must be resolved to evolve design solutions that simultaneously satisfy requirements for highly-integrated configurations as well as mass-model of transatmospheric cruisers. This paper briefly describes one such scheme called HI²D that can be used for designing, optimization and intelligent classification of spaceplane system configurations. The results of this scheme show significant improvement in the geometric and performance solution of baseline configuration.