Abstract: LM-8 inherited mature modules from other launch vehicles, adapting the overall design through the combination of engine throttling, wind compensation and load relief control, so as to reduce the aerodynamic load during flight. This paper proposes a rapid evaluation method for load relief performance, which takes launch vehicle’s characteristics, wind field, control parameters, aerodynamic deviation and structure deviation into consideration, and provides a quick estimation method for load relief performance. The load relief performance of the LM-8 launch vehicle estimated by this method achieved 10%−20% in pitch and 20%−40% in yaw. The specific results are related to parameter deviation, the altitude of wind shear and the relationship between wind direction and trajectory angle. Simulation results for a typical case with six degrees of dynamic freedom of flight proves that the comprehensive load relief performance would be between 14% to 34%, which is in line with the aforementioned method. In addition, simulation results indicate that the more severe the wind shear is, the better performance of load relief can be achieved.

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