AHigh thermal resistance during re-entry
BLow-cost fuel availability
CPrecision landing technology
DHigh-speed aerodynamic control
Answer:
B. Low-cost fuel availability
Read Explanation:
Challenges in RLV development primarily revolve around making them truly reusable, cost-effective, and safe for multiple missions. This involves overcoming significant engineering hurdles.
High thermal resistance during re-entry: This is a major challenge. RLVs re-enter the Earth's atmosphere at extremely high speeds, generating intense heat. Developing materials and designs that can withstand and dissipate this heat is crucial.
Precision landing technology: This is another significant challenge. RLVs need to land precisely back at a designated site, often vertically, which requires sophisticated guidance, navigation, and control systems, as well as robust landing gear.
High-speed aerodynamic control: Controlling a vehicle that is re-entering the atmosphere and flying at hypersonic speeds is incredibly complex. Maintaining stability and steering it to the desired landing zone requires advanced aerodynamic designs and control algorithms.
Low-cost fuel availability: While fuel costs are a factor in space launches, the availability of low-cost fuel is generally not considered a primary challenge in the development of RLVs. The fuels used (like liquid oxygen, hydrogen, kerosene) are readily available. The challenge is more about the efficiency of the engines and the reusability of the hardware to reduce overall mission costs, rather than the supply or inherent cost of the fuel itself.