Adeline (rocket stage)

Adeline with deployed propellers, next to Ariane 6 main stage

Adeline (Advanced Expendable Launcher with Innovative engine Economy) is a reusable rocket first-stage engine and avionics package concept by Airbus Defence and Space that will have a booster's main engines fly themselves back to Earth after a launch using drone technology. They would then be refurbished and be reused on another flight. The design may be used in future evolution of Ariane 6,[1] however the concept is compatible with any liquid-fuel rocket.[2][3] The project engineers believe it could recover 20-30% of the cost of a flight at an added weight penalty cost of perhaps 10%.

After the stage is exhausted, the engine module is jettisoned for reentry. At a certain point in the descent, Adeline would pull up using its small winglets and steer itself towards a runway whilst gliding. As it approaches the runway, landing gear and two small pusher configuration propellers would be deployed to perform a powered horizontal landing. The concept would allow for reusing 80% of the stage's economic value: the engine, avionics and propulsion bay.[3] The engines could be re-flown about 10 to 20 times.[2] The approach could have several advantages over the SpaceX technology under development,[3] specifically it avoids the high stresses their booster engines experience during deceleration for a vertical landing and for a geostationary flight it would only require around 2,000 kg of fuel to return safely to the ground against an estimated 35,000 kg for SpaceX.

Airbus started this program in 2010 and has invested about €15 million by May 2015 on the reusable technology programme; scale models have been flown.[2] Ariane 6 is currently a development priority for Airbus Defence and Space, Adeline comes afterwards.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Coppinger, Rob (11 June 2015). "Airbus' Adeline Project Aims to Build Reusable Rockets and Space Tugs". Space.com. Retrieved 2015-06-11.
  2. 1 2 3 Amos, Jonathan (5 June 2015). "Airbus unveils 'Adeline' re-usable rocket concept". BBC News. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  3. 1 2 3 4 de Selding, Peter B. (5 June 2015). "Meet Adeline, Airbus' Answer To SpaceX Reusability". Space News. Retrieved 2015-06-05.

External links


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