Multidisciplinary Design Optimization is a field that enables the solution of challenging engineering problems involving multiple technical specializations and design/performance constraints. In this work, I optimize the design of the PSAS Launch Vehicle 4 (LV4). To that end, I evaluate different optimization approaches—such as RBFOpt Global Optimization, Nelder-Mead minimization, and Simplicial Homology Global Optimization with Nelder-Mead and COBYLA local minimization techniques, calculate structural analysis information for different stages of flight, outline a method of simulating fin “staging”—the dropping of a larger initial fin can at a certain altitude to reduce the required engine thrust and drag in the upper atmosphere and optimize fin parameters. I converged on the ideal design vector. This led to an apogee of 107 km with a 9.8 kN engine (realized with two 5 kN engines). Further debugging is required to resolve the apparent 120 km vehicle drift.
