Can Europe's RLV Plans Rise Like A Phoenix

SPACEMART

Europe's sustained, autonomous access to space can only be ensured by drastically lowering the present level of transportation costs and by improving operational flexibility, system reliability and environmental compatibility. The already started Ariane 5 evolution program to increase the payload capacity of the European launcher system from six to twelve tons will reduce transportation costs considerably. However, in the long run, from 2015, high efficiency can only be achieved by using reusable space transport systems.

Bremen - April 15, 2001
With a total of DM 32 million, the Federal Government, the Land of Bremen, the German Aerospace Center (DLR, Cologne), OHB System GmbH (Bremen) and Astrium are involved in the development of a demonstrator for reusable space transport systems to be carried out within the framework of the national technology program ASTRA.

"Development of Phoenix will be the first step towards the realization of a European, reusable space transport system," said Josef Kind, member of the board of management of Astrium N.V. with responsibility for the Space Infrastructure division, on the occasion of the official go-ahead for the development of a new space transport system in Bremen on Wednesday.

The demonstrator Phoenix is intended to prove the feasibility of a future, reusable space transport system.

The use of such a "small" prototype is required as due to physical influences in the atmosphere not all the design features can be demonstrated with the help of computer simulations and wind tunnel tests.

A demonstrator will also help to cut costs in the development phase of the future space transport system.

Out of own funds, Astrium will invest about DM 14 million and the medium-sized Bremen company OHB System almost DM 1 million in the development of the flight demonstrator.

The Land of Bremen is contributing DM 10.5 million out of its technology fund. The remaining costs will be jointly covered by the Federal Government and DLR.

Development, construction and testing are scheduled for completion by the end of the year 2003. The demonstrator will be just under seven meters long. It will have a wingspan of 3.8 meters, a weight of 1,200 kilograms and will be similar in appearance to the US Space Shuttle.

"Projects that are intended to safeguard Europe's top position in the space transport sector cannot be financed by one organization alone. It was the interplay of Federal Government, Laender and industry that enabled us to bring Phoenix into being," said Josef Kind.

Josef Hattig, Senator for Economic Affairs and Harbors of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, emphasized that "through its financial involvement amounting to DM 10.5 million the Land of Bremen will promote German system competence in the field of European space research.

"The fact that more than 90% of the development costs will flow back to Bremen in the form of orders has confirmed me in my decision to support the program.

"In addition to the Bremen-based Space Infrastructure division of Astrium, which is responsible for the Phoenix development, the Center for Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) at the University of Bremen and OHB are involved in the project."

Phoenix forms an essential part of the national program ASTRA (Selected systems and technologies for future space transport system applications).

Along with Astrium and DLR, companies such as MAN-Technologie, OHB-System and Kayser-Threde, ZARM as well as three DFG special research departments of the Technical Universities of Aachen, Munich and Stuttgart are involved in ASTRA.

Prof. Dr. Walter Kr�ll, Chairman of the German Aerospace Center: "The ASTRA program will help to promote German system and technical competence in the industry, at universities and DLR institutes in order to provide a basis for the development of future-oriented concepts and state-of-the-art technologies for a new space transport system that will enable Germany and Europe to face severe competition in the international markets.

Technology development will particularly focus on structures, construction, materials, propulsion systems, flight guidance and control".

The already started Ariane 5 evolution program to increase the payload capacity of the European launcher system from six to twelve tons will reduce transportation costs considerably. However, in the long run, from 2015, high efficiency can only be achieved by using reusable space transport systems, continued Prof. Dr. Kr�ll.

SPACEMART

Kelly and Vought Team Up For New Spaceplane

San Bernardino - Jan 23, 2001
Kelly Space and Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. jointly announced today that the two companies recently signed a teaming agreement and submitted proposals to develop, in cooperation with NASA, a 2nd Generation Reusable Space Launch Vehicle (RLV) System and associated technologies.

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