FLEX In-flight testbed for validating Next Generation Launcher Technologies
- Paper number
IAC-06-D2.6.04
- Author
Mr. Christophe Chavagnac, EADS Astrium, France
- Coauthor
Mr. Yves Prel, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France
- Coauthor
Mr. Pascal Bultel, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France
- Coauthor
Dr. Anton Kolozezny, Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TSNIIMASH), Russia
- Coauthor
Dr. Alexey Romashkin, Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TSNIIMASH), Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. David Iranzo-Greus, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), France
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Space Agencies Roskosmos (Russia) and CNES (France) have engaged a joint frame program OURAL that aims at maturing the set of enabling technologies required to develop the Launcher next to Launch Systems currently operated or to enter operations in the near future. As such the end-to-end OURAL Program includes :
- System studies for elaborating a Reference Mission and Architecture of the Advanced Launch System. The reusability-level of each Sub-System or Stage will be especially stated ;
- on-ground tests for maturing some key technologies such as liquid propulsion ;
- last but not least two in-flight experimentations : one devoted to reentry technologies, the Pre-X hypersonic glider, and an in-flight testbed FLEX (Future Launcher Experiment) that will address the set of technologies related to System design of an Advanced Launch System including topics as Main Propulsion and the Thermal and Mechanical Architecture of a large-scale Stage. Its flight domains overlaps the Booster regime of a Multi-Stage Architecture Launcher.
This paper will concentrate on that latter project. Indeed world experience in developing Advanced space systems shows that without testing demonstrators in natural conditions (or close to real flight) it is practically impossible to assess functionability and reliability of the most loaded subsystems and units (propulsion, thermal protection, fuselage structures, etc) being exposed to long simultaneous influence of thermal, vibrating, acoustic and other loads. For some aspects, there is no other way for mimicking the inside and outside environments faced by a Subsystem throughout the mission : e.g. the optimum design of an emptying cryogenic propellant tank during powered ascent and facing the mechanical and aerothermal loads during ascent and gliding reentry together. So the main goal of FLEX program is to assess key technologies or System issues facing real environment and then mitigate the highest risks related to the development of the Advanced Launcher to be operated. Phase 0 aims at evaluating the set of objectives of the FLEX and to define the Reference Mission and Vehicle Architecture that fit as closely as possible. This phase is jointly conducted by TSNIIMASH and EADS SPACE Transportation together with SNECMA for liquid propulsion topics and DASSAULT Aviation for aeronautic Systems. The objectives check-list and rationale behind will be provided. In addition the major output of the Concept Selection Review held during 2006 spring will be presented focusing on the most comprehensive options traded. Finally the status of the baseline definition will be presented.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-D2.6.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.