Expendable Launchers Concept Trade-offs Within The FLPP
- Paper number
IAC-07-D2.4.10
- Author
Mr. Yann Letourneur, NGL Prime S.p.A, Italy
- Coauthor
Didier PINARD, Unknown
- Coauthor
Didier PINARD, Astrium, France
- Coauthor
Mr. Frederic Leleu, NGL Prime SpA, Italy
- Coauthor
Mrs. Catherine Poincheval, EADS Astrium, France
- Coauthor
Mr. David Iranzo-Greus, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), France
- Coauthor
Mr. Richard Pitt, Astrium GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Mauro Balduccini, ELV S.p.A, Italy
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The Future Launcher Preparatory Programme (FLPP) of the European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing the next generation of launchers to be developed in Europe. Three expendable launcher options are identified by ESA as potential solutions to ensure an independent access to space for Europe in the decades to come. The options, driven by scenarios on market figures and Ariane 5 market share, are listed below in chronological order of operational capability: • Evolution of the existing European launchers. The Ariane 5 major evolution, that may be operational in 2014, would consist in an advanced cryogenic upper stage utilizing an engine building on the FLPP expander cycle demonstrator programme, • An alternative/complementary launcher to Ariane 5, based on available propulsion “building -blocks”, to be operational by 2015, • A Next Generation Launcher (NGL) that will replace Ariane 5 at is withdrawal from operational service by 2020-25. The ongoing launcher system investigations, performed in the framework of FLPP Period 2 Step 1, target the preparation of the next Ministerial Conference in 2008. A series of trade-offs are conducted to select the concepts that best fit the requirements of the NGL and “building-block” launcher options. The design reference missions include a 5 metric tons performance requirement into a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), to meet the European institutional need, with the increased capability to 8 metric tons into GTO by the addition of solid boosters, to meet the commercial market needs. For the long term, the investigated NGL options comprise lower stages with hydrogen, methane or solid propellants, and upper stages with hydrogen, methane or storable propellants. Among other potential configurations, the “building-block” launcher concepts for the short-mid term are typically: • A launcher composed of the upgraded P240 solid booster of Ariane 5, the upgraded P80 stage of Vega, and a cryogenic upper stage utilizing an engine building on the FLPP expander cycle demonstrator programme • A launcher composed of a cryogenic first stage using a Vulcain II engine, assisted by strap-on boosters for lift-off, and a cryogenic upper stage utilizing an engine building on the FLPP expander cycle demonstrator programme. This paper details the trade-offs performed and outlines the main outcomes available to date.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-D2.4.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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