SMall Innovative Launcher for Europe: results of the H2020 project SMILE Leo Timmermans, NLR І 2 October 2018
Problem (and opportunity) 2
Problem (and opportunity) SmallSat Launch Market to Soar Past $62 Billion by 2030 - Frost and Sullivan The demand for small satellite launches for both new installations and replacement missions is estimated to grow to 11,631 by 2030. [July 2018] 679 Full market potential 598 Spaceworks forecast Historical launches 515 305 361 411 460 95 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Source: SpaceWorks 3
Project background Andøya Space Centre launch site operator Airborne, Boes Advies, ISIS, NLR Nammo hybrid engine technology 3D Systems advanced materials Terma avionics, EGSE DLR / Carbodyne liquid engine technology WEPA-Technologies piping and turbopumps Tecnalia advanced materials INCAS: aerodynamics and trajectory analysis PLD Space microlaunchers Heron Engineering structural analysis 4
Project structure and planning MS1: Kick-off meeting MS2: Mid-term meeting MS3: Final meeting 2016 2017 2018 Launcher Architectural design Detailed design IAC2018 Critical technology Preparation Engine components Structures Avionics Demonstration Engine components Structures Avionics IAC2018 IAC2018 Ground segment Preliminary requirements definition Alternative conceptual designs Conceptual design refinement Design Sessions: Review Meeting: DS1 DS2 DS3 DS3b DS4 DS5 RV1 RV2 RV3 RV4 5
Launcher requirements and design Launch service Price: launcher and launch site Payload capacity 70 kg into 600 km SSO Minimize cost (not maximize performance) Two concept configurations Three-stage hybrid: high TRL, time-to-market Three-stage liquid: more payload, recovery option 6
Challenges Smaller launcher lower payload fraction less benefit more difficult to achieve ROI Focus on cost-effectiveness: low cost, unitary engines automated production of composite structures automated 3D printing low-cost avionics using COTS This project has received funding from the European Union s Horizon 2020 research
Design/development activities Aerodynamics and trajectory optimization INCAS Structural design analyses Heron Engineering Piping and turbo-pump design WEPA-Technologies Material and manufacturing aspects Airborne, Tecnalia and NLR Avionics/EGSE design/development Terma and NLR Liquid engine design/development/test DLR, 3D-Systems and PLD Hybrid engine development and test Nammo Flexible payload deployment system ISIS Ground segment design ASC Market/business development lead BoesAdvies, ISIS and NLR 8
NAMMO Hybrid launcher and engine STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 18.6 m Diameter = 1.4-1.8 m Thrust = 400.000 N, T/W = 2.08 Total Delta-V = 10.300 m/s, I sp = 275 s Total mass = 19.645 kg Payload mass = 70 kg (600 km SSO) 9
DLR Liquid launcher and engine STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 16.6 m Diameter = 1.0-1.4 m Thrust = 250.000 N, T/W = 1.61 Total Delta-V = 9.500 m/s, I sp = 309 s Total mass = 16.180 kg Payload mass = 140 kg (600 km SSO) 10
DARETUDelft COTS avionics Avionics box COTS components: IMU, GNSS receiver, SBC Vibration tests Payload on Stratos III Launched 25 July 2018 Failure after 20 seconds Data to be analysed 11
Results Launcher Payload >70 kg into 600 km SSO Launch from Andøya Space Centre (Norway) Competitive price (< 50k per kg) Two configurations 3 stage hybrid launcher 3 stage liquid launcher This project has received funding from the European Union s Horizon 2020 research
Results Critical technology Liquid and hybrid rocket engines demonstrated Structural models (being) manufactured COTS avionics launched and EGSE demonstrated This project has received funding from the European Union s Horizon 2020 research
Remaining activities / way forward As part of SMILE Windtunnel testing of the nose cone and launch vehicle Liquid engine testing and test assessment Manufacturing the upper stage structure prototype Documentation updates Final review (11-12 December 2018 at NLR) Continued after SMILE Technology development Business development 14
NAMMO PLD space Business development 15
Video TDB 16
More information: small-launcher.eu
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