The Free Flyer Element of DLR's Orbital Hub Concept: Designed for Science Opportunities and More
- Paper number
IAC-18,B3,9-GTS.2,2,x43816
- Author
Mr. Dominik Quantius, Germany, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
- Coauthor
Dr. Oliver Romberg, Germany, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
- Coauthor
Mrs. Claudia Philpot, Germany, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
- Coauthor
Dr. Volker Maiwald, Germany, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
- Coauthor
Mr. Stephan Siegfried Jahnke, Germany, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
- Coauthor
Dr. Wolfgang Seboldt, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Sven Baerwalde, Germany, German Aerospace Center (DLR)
- Coauthor
Prof. Hansjörg Dittus, Germany, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
- Coauthor
Mr. Hans Schlegel, United States, Schlegel Operations International LLC
- Coauthor
Dr. Ingo Retat, Germany, Airbus Defence and Space (DS)
- Coauthor
Mr. Rainer Wohlgemuth, Germany, Airbus Defense and Space
- Coauthor
Mr. Max Lange, Germany, Airbus Defence and Space (DS)
- Year
2018
- Abstract
In order to perpetuate the achievements of Human Spaceflight in the context of the International Space Station (ISS), DLR together with Airbus DS and other external partners, by strong use of its Concurrent Engineering Facility, has conducted an extensive Post-ISS concept study for an LEO architecture referred to as Orbital-Hub. The Orbital-Hub is based on a small crewed LEO platform including a human-tended Free Flyer, and its design has been centred on financial feasibility and user needs in the frame of human spaceflight. Within this paper the Orbital-Hub’s Free Flyer, which consists of a pressurized laboratory area, an external payload or experiment platform and a service module, is highlighted with respect to its diverse purposes and applications. Based on a detailed collection of current and forecasted user needs with the help of the science community, the Free Flyer is designed as versatile multi-purpose platform meeting a wide range of requirements for different applications such as observation, $\mu$g applications, exploration, technology demonstration and commercial use. Furthermore, it serves as a key element in the Orbital-Hub concept during assembly and nominal operations.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-18,B3,9-GTS.2,2,x43816.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.