FLPP Re-entry In-Flight Experimentation: current status of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV)
- Paper number
IAC-06-D2.6.05
- Author
Mr. Yves Gerard, EADS Astrium, France
- Coauthor
Mr. Giorgio Tumino, European Space Agency/Headquarters, France
- Year
2006
- Abstract
ESA’s Future Launcher Preparatory Programme includes system activities and technology developments on materials & 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 work performed on the Intermediate Re-entry Vehicle (IXV) in the frame of the first phase of the FLPP programme. The overall study logic adopted for the IXV consolidation study is based on a stepwise approach, consisting in two main sequential steps :
- Step 1 : Requirements synthesis and concept selection
- Step 2 : Consolidation of the preferred concept design
In the first step, reentry technologies demonstration needs have been identified and used to perform a trade-off analysis considering several reentry demonstration vehicle concepts. This trade-off led to the selection of a slender-body type of vehicle derived from CNES’s Pre-X vehicle, taking into account features from ESA’s slender body AREV concept. The second step of the study then led to consolidate the IXV design considering especially a launch by VEGA. The IXV design consolidation activities performed so far consisted in the elaboration of:
- Mission analysis
- Shape design characterization
- Controllability analysis
- First aerothermodynamic characterization
- Vehicle lay-out and MCI budget
- Preliminary mechanical design
- Preliminary subsystems design studies
- Preliminary operational concept
The paper will show the process and some details and intermediate results of the work leading to the current IXV design. Additionally it will give a summary and an outlook to the next steps to be taken.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-D2.6.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.