Projectplan for the deimos leo launcher
- Paper number
IAC-06-D2.P.2.03
- Author
Mr. Peter Batenburg, Technical University of Delft (TUDelft), The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Steven Engelen, Technical University of Delft (TUDelft), The Netherlands
- Year
2006
- Abstract
This paper presents the future plans of the DEIMOS. DEIMOS is an acronym for ‘Delft Experimental Methane Oxygen propulsion System’. This project is performed by the authors in cooperation with fellow students, under the management of DARE (Delft Aerospace Rocket Engineering). It has strong links to sustainable development, due to its intended reusability and the chosen propellants. These are one of the most promising so-called ‘green propellants’-combinations, currently under scrutiny by the industry. Thus far the DEIMOS I engine has been designed and tested with gaseous fuels (see also IAC-04-S.P.05 and IAC-05-C4.3.09). The plans for the first rocket (Eris) have already been made and only need detailing. The plans however started to surpass the capabilities of DARE alone. It was therefore decided that it should be attempted to enlarge the operation with support of the Technical University of Delft and perhaps even the European Space Educational Program (SSETI). To make the project worthy of such a larger operation, concrete goals and plans had to be determined. This resulted in the goal of developing a (partly) reusable launcher capable of bringing micro satellites (< 500 kg) into LEO (< 1000 km), where it should at least be able to put 100 kg in a 1000 km circular orbit. A market analyses will determine what the exact payload and altitude range should be. This launcher will be developed by European students; they are also the intended users, along with other possible users. The last goal is that the launch system should be location independent, and easy to use. The eventual launcher will contain several technologies that need to be developed. Instead of directly building this launcher with all these technologies, intermediate launchers will be developed. Each new launcher is built on technologies of the previous launcher, which are by then validated, and on new technologies that have to be proven. A schedule containing which launcher uses which technology and when developments of technologies should be started has been made. By using these intermediate steps it’s possible for students to participate at any given time in the development and to experience results, since the active participation of students is usually only in the order of one year and the whole project will take several years. Next to this advantage there is the wide variety of aspects on developing the launcher which makes it interesting for students. Not only the technologies like the Methane/Oxygen engine and the on board electronics have to be developed but also solid/hybrid boosters and non-technical aspects like management infrastructure and market research. The intention is to present these plans to the Technical University of Delft and to the SSETI group to try to start the project because it’s too much for DARE alone.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-D2.P.2.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.