Hopper (spacecraft)
Encyclopedia
Hopper was a proposed European Space Agency
orbital and reusable launch vehicle. The shuttle prototype spaceplane
was one of several proposals for a European reusable launch vehicle (RLV) planned to cheaply ferry satellites into orbit by 2015. The 'Phoenix' was a German project which is a one-seventh scale model of the Hopper concept vehicle.
. It would be composed of a single stage reusable vehicle which would not reach orbital velocity. This vehicle was to be launched on a 4 km magnetic
horizontal track which would accelerate it to launch speed. At a height of 130 km, the vehicle would fire an expendable rocket
powered upper stage which would reach orbital speed
and place its satellite
payload into orbit. Finally, the vehicle would then glide down to an island in the Atlantic Ocean
and be taken back to French Guiana
by ship. An EADS spokesperson stated that a reusable launch vehicle like Hopper could halve the cost of sending a satellite into orbit, which now stands at $15,000 USD per kilogram of payload.
was responsible for the project management and for the entire software equipment of the system. Other partner companies were also involved in the development. The European Space Agency (ESA) and EADS
hoped to complete development of Hopper between 2015 and 2020. After the first glide test on May 2004, no updates were forthcoming and eventually the project was canceled.
national program ASTRA, a €40 million project founded by the German Federal Government
, EADS Astrium Space Transportation and the State of Bremen
with one third each. Both EADS and the State of Bremen invested at least €8.2 million and €4.3 million, respectively. Another contribution of €16 million came from partner companies such as the Bremen-based OHB-System
, DLR
and the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.
The Phoenix RLV prototype was 6.9 meters long (23 ft), had a weight of 1,200 kilograms (2,640 lb), and a wingspan of 3.9 meters (13 ft). The prototype, at one sixth the size of the planned vehicle, was last in the alpha stage of development at Bremen labs of EADS.
On Saturday 8 May 2004, the prototype was dropped from 2.4 kilometers (8,000 ft) by a helicopter and landed precisely and without incident after a GPS-guided 90 second glide. The test was conducted at the North European Aerospace Test range
in Kiruna, 1240 km (770.5 mi) north of Stockholm
, Sweden
. The primary aim of the test was to assess the glider
potential of the craft. No subsequent tests were reported.
The final version of the vehicle was expected to be able to support the reentry forces, generated heat, and be able to glide from an altitude of 129 kilometres (80.2 mi).
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
orbital and reusable launch vehicle. The shuttle prototype spaceplane
Spaceplane
A spaceplane is a vehicle that operates as an aircraft in Earth's atmosphere, as well as a spacecraft when it is in space. It combines features of an aircraft and a spacecraft, which can be thought of as an aircraft that can endure and maneuver in the vacuum of space or likewise a spacecraft that...
was one of several proposals for a European reusable launch vehicle (RLV) planned to cheaply ferry satellites into orbit by 2015. The 'Phoenix' was a German project which is a one-seventh scale model of the Hopper concept vehicle.
Concept
The suborbital Hopper was a FESTIP (Future European Space Transportation Investigations Programme) system study design selected for further analysis during Future Launchers Preparatory ProgrammeFuture Launchers Preparatory Programme
The Future Launchers Preparatory Programme is a European Space Agency program that aims to develop a "Next Generation Launcher" carrier rocket as a successor to Ariane 5. The program began in February 2004, and the NGL is foreseen to become operational around the year 2020...
. It would be composed of a single stage reusable vehicle which would not reach orbital velocity. This vehicle was to be launched on a 4 km magnetic
Magnetism
Magnetism is a property of materials that respond at an atomic or subatomic level to an applied magnetic field. Ferromagnetism is the strongest and most familiar type of magnetism. It is responsible for the behavior of permanent magnets, which produce their own persistent magnetic fields, as well...
horizontal track which would accelerate it to launch speed. At a height of 130 km, the vehicle would fire an expendable rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
powered upper stage which would reach orbital speed
Orbital speed
The orbital speed of a body, generally a planet, a natural satellite, an artificial satellite, or a multiple star, is the speed at which it orbits around the barycenter of a system, usually around a more massive body...
and place its satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
payload into orbit. Finally, the vehicle would then glide down to an island in the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and be taken back to French Guiana
French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It has borders with two nations, Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west...
by ship. An EADS spokesperson stated that a reusable launch vehicle like Hopper could halve the cost of sending a satellite into orbit, which now stands at $15,000 USD per kilogram of payload.
Contractors
EADSEADS
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. is a global pan-European aerospace and defence corporation and a leading defence and military contractor worldwide...
was responsible for the project management and for the entire software equipment of the system. Other partner companies were also involved in the development. The European Space Agency (ESA) and EADS
EADS
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. is a global pan-European aerospace and defence corporation and a leading defence and military contractor worldwide...
hoped to complete development of Hopper between 2015 and 2020. After the first glide test on May 2004, no updates were forthcoming and eventually the project was canceled.
Prototype
The Phoenix RLV launcher, the prototype of Hopper launcher, was part of the GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
national program ASTRA, a €40 million project founded by the German Federal Government
Politics of Germany
The Federal Republic of Germany is a federal parliamentary republic, based on representative democracy. The Chancellor is the head of government, while the President of Germany is the head of state, which is a ceremonial role but with substantial reserve powers.Executive power is vested in the...
, EADS Astrium Space Transportation and the State of Bremen
Bremen (state)
The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen is the smallest of Germany's 16 states. A more informal name, but used in some official contexts, is Land Bremen .-Geography:...
with one third each. Both EADS and the State of Bremen invested at least €8.2 million and €4.3 million, respectively. Another contribution of €16 million came from partner companies such as the Bremen-based OHB-System
OHB-System
OHB-System is a medium-sized spaceflight company located in Bremen, northern Germany, which belongs to the OHB-Technology AG. OHB-System is a systems provider in the areas of telematics, space technology, security and satellite services...
, DLR
German Aerospace Center
The German Aerospace Center is the national centre for aerospace, energy and transportation research of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has multiple locations throughout Germany. Its headquarters are located in Cologne. It is engaged in a wide range of research and development projects in...
and the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.
The Phoenix RLV prototype was 6.9 meters long (23 ft), had a weight of 1,200 kilograms (2,640 lb), and a wingspan of 3.9 meters (13 ft). The prototype, at one sixth the size of the planned vehicle, was last in the alpha stage of development at Bremen labs of EADS.
On Saturday 8 May 2004, the prototype was dropped from 2.4 kilometers (8,000 ft) by a helicopter and landed precisely and without incident after a GPS-guided 90 second glide. The test was conducted at the North European Aerospace Test range
North European Aerospace Test range
North European Aerospace Test range is Europe's largest overland test range for aerospace systems.It is a co-operation by the Swedish Space Corporation and Swedish Defence Materiel Administration....
in Kiruna, 1240 km (770.5 mi) north of Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. The primary aim of the test was to assess the glider
Glider aircraft
Glider aircraft are heavier-than-air craft that are supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against their lifting surfaces, and whose free flight does not depend on an engine. Mostly these types of aircraft are intended for routine operation without engines, though engine failure can...
potential of the craft. No subsequent tests were reported.
The final version of the vehicle was expected to be able to support the reentry forces, generated heat, and be able to glide from an altitude of 129 kilometres (80.2 mi).
See also
- HermesHermes (shuttle)Hermes was a proposed spaceplane designed by the French Centre National d'Études Spatiales in 1975, and later by the European Space Agency. It was superficially similar to the US X-20. France proposed in January 1985 to go through with Hermes development under the auspices of the ESA. Hermes was...
- IXV
- Maglev - magnetic rails.
- Rocket sled launchRocket sled launchA rocket sled launch is a method of launching space vehicles. A rail or maglev track and a rocket or jet booster is used to accelerate a sled holding a vehicle up an eastward facing mountain slope...
External links
- European Space Shuttle Glides To Success
- Glide test images: Zarm.uni-bremen.de, Spacetec.zarm.uni-bremen.de