Aldebaran: a "system" demonstrator project for new generations of space transportation.

Paper number

IAC-08.D2.6.5

Author

Mr. Eric Louaas, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mr. Jean-Marc Astorg, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mr. Alejandro Ruiz Merino, Centro Para el Desarrollo Technologico Industrial (CDTI), Spain

Coauthor

Ms. Maria del Pilar Gonzalez Gotor, Centro Para el Desarrollo Technologico Industrial (CDTI), Spain

Coauthor

Mr. Christophe Talbot, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Year

2008

Abstract

	Aldebaran is the name chosen for a "system" demonstrator project which paves the way for one or more next-generation launch vehicle targets and is also specified to be able to realize operational launches. The project takes its name from the brightest star in the Taurus constellation.
The proposed demonstrator comes at a time when it is planned to operate existing European launch vehicles (ARIANE 5, Soyuz, VEGA) until around 2025, with no new generation launcher under development before 2015. 
The project is aiming at developing a flight demonstrator by focusing certain activities involved in the preparation of future launch vehicles. The first launch shall take place around 2014. It would represent an intermediate step prior to the development of a new-generation launch vehicle. 
The demonstrator shall also be capable of carrying out launch missions for micro- satellites to serve a market niche not covered by existing European launch vehicles. It will be developped in the frame of international co operations.
Several possible Aldebaran concepts are actually under analyses.

The paper will present the main Functional Performance Specifications of Aldebaran. some illustrations of possible concepts will be shown.

Abstract document

IAC-08.D2.6.5.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.D2.6.5.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.