Technologies for a Future European Earth-to-Orbit Transportation System
- Paper number
IAC-08.D2.5.3
- Author
Mr. Guy Ramusat, European Space Agency (ESA), France
- Coauthor
Mr. Dario Boggiatto, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Daniele Francesconi, NGL Prime SpA, Italy
- Year
2008
- Abstract
The ESA Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) mission visions led to a strategic framework implementation and corresponding roadmap, from which European NextGen LV (expendable, hybrid or reusable launch vehicle, depending on the time frame) system concepts and architectures are investigated and derived in term of requirements for technology activities. The wide range of advanced ELV and RLV concepts and their corresponding vehicle architectures introduces a number of “top-down”, systems perspective design requirements which correspond to a variety of structural concepts and relevant technologies. All these elements are realised in FLPP taking into account a significant investment in a wide range of technologies. For instance, the FLPP Core Technology Activity is chartered to develop cutting-edge technologies and knowledge that support the goals of the future generations of European Launch Vehicles, i.e. near and mid term NextGen ELV and distant future fully or partially NextGen RLV, as well as potential technology spin-offs for current LV evolutions. These activities are based on previous ESA studies and FLPP Periods works and relevant to technology excluding the one specific to Propulsion. The FLPP Core Technology addresses critical component, sub-system, and system level technologies, enabling greater access to/from space by maturating innovative technologies resulting in the upgrading of the TRL (Technology Readiness Level) and IRL (Integration Readiness Level) index as well as risk mitigation improvement before development. The goal is to reach a TRL of 6, corresponding to a PDR level, starting point of a future development. The verification is performed using technology demonstrators tested on-ground in order to move “from imagination to realisation”. The Core Technology Activity assures that the technologies have maximum application owing to synergy with the other types of technologies developed under other specific technology developments of FLPP, namely the Cryogenic Upper Stage Activity (CUST) and the Propulsion Activity. Core Technology Activity portfolio major challenges include reducing overall structural mass, increasing structural margins for robustness, metallic and composite containment of cryogenic hydrogen and oxygen propellants, reusable thermal-protection system, significantly reducing fabrication and operational costs, aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics issues, avionics, optopyrotechnics, test facility improvements, etc. Application of concurrent engineering methods (CFD, MTDO, etc.) will allow creating performing technology demonstrators in term of need, demonstration objective and size and cost. This paper outlines the work on technology currently performed in this FLPP activity framework as well as the accomplishments already achieved in the various fields up to now.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)