Monte Carlo simulation of stage separation dynamics of a multistage launch vehicle

This paper provides the formulation used for studing the cold and hot separating stages of a multistage launch vehicle.Monte Carlo simulation is employed to account for the off nominal design parameters of the bodies undergoing separation to evaluate the risk offailure for the separation event.All disturbances,effect of dynamic unbalance,residual thrust,separation disturbance caused by the separation mechanism and misalignment in cold and hot separation are analyzed to find out nonoccurrence of collision between the separation bodies.The results indicate that the current design satisfies the separation requirements.