Data-driven and Model-based Approaches for Post-Flight Inspection of a Reusable Rocket Engine

The cost of rocket engine inspection is a significant part of the operating costs of reusable rockets. To reduce inspection costs, our study of numerical and data-driven methods investigated post-flight inspection of a reusable rocket engine. This paper presents a superior numerical method for generating the training data required for rocket engine health management. Fundamental techniques were developed for the use of data-driven methods and the numerically obtained data in health management. The corresponding techniques and envisioned strategies were demonstrated in engine firing tests of RV-X, an experimental reusable vehicle under development by JAXA. Further challenges identified through the development and demonstration are summarized.