SCI/TECH: ESA's Pheonix test shttle for the ESA Hopper successful comp

The Pheonix prototype has just complete it first successful drop tests. Further tests are scheduled over the next 2 weeks, with the eventual aim to sucessfully complete a landing from 25km within the next 3 years

Source: Space.com

Source: NewScientist.com

The interesting thing is the proposed lauching mechanism for the Space Hopper which is 7 times larger than the Phoenix which is seven metres long and has a wing span of four metres. This would launch on a sled running on a four-kilometre-long track at Europe's space base in French Guiana, accelerated by either magnetic fields or steam.

At a height of 130 km, the vehicle would fire an expendable rocket to place its satellite payload into orbit. It would then "hop" down to an island in the Atlantic Ocean and be taken back to French Guiana by ship.

EADS says a reusable launch vehicle like Hopper could halve the cost of sending a satellite into orbit, which now stands at $15,000 per kilogram of payload

Related discussion on the AboveTopSecret.com Forum
ESA's Space shuttle


[Edited on 11-5-2004 by Zion Mainframe]

[Edited on 11-5-2004 by Zion Mainframe]

that's really awesome. at least one space agency is finally realizing the full potential of linear accelerators!