RLV candidates for European Future Launcher Preparatory Programme
- Paper number
IAC-06-D2.2.07
- Author
Mr. Carlo Tomatis, NGL Company, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Laurent Bouaziz, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Jens Kauffmann, European Space Agency/Headquarters, France
- Year
2006
- Abstract
ESA’s Future Launcher Preparatory Programme includes system activities and technology developments on materials and structures, and propulsion. The overall approach is system-driven, i.e. FLPP aims at defining reference launcher concepts from which will be derived a demonstration logic including in-flight experimental vehicles, and technology development requirements. The paper addresses the launcher concepts studies, and more specifically the analysis of Reusable Launch Vehicle concepts that has been performed in the first part of the FLPP program. The activities led consisted in : - collecting and reviewing the results of design and analyses carried out on various concepts of Reusable Launch Vehicles, in Europe and in the World, - synthesizing the main outcomes of these former studies, - performing additional critical analysis on the various concepts, - defining a first batch of potential RLV candidates considering feasibility/TRL issues and the fulfillment of FLPP requirements, - assessing in a preliminary way the updated features of the RLV concepts, - identifying variants of RLV candidates that could be envisaged to solve critical technological issues. The paper will detail the FLPP requirements, the RLV concepts considered, the main critical issues identified, and the concepts variants. An overview of the main outcomes will also be included. At last, a brief presentation of the next steps of the launcher system activities inside the FLPP program will be given. This will also include an overview/outline of the Phase-2 RLV design activities, which will be running by October.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-D2.2.07.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.