European Test Center DLR Lampoldshausen, Shaping The Future

Kurzfassung

DLR Lampoldshausen is the European test centre for liquid rocket propulsion. The paper deals with the challenges of testing. The topics are concerning test facility technology and operational conditions. It presents the actual activities to prepare the test site for the future. There are research testing, development tests, qualification tests and acceptance tests of propulsion components, of rocket engines and upper stage. Actual activities are the ongoing testing for Ariane 5, the preparation and testing for Ariane 6 and programs to prepare the future launcher like FLPP or for future orbital propulsion. The main challenges are concerning the • use of different propellants like storable propellants, cryogenic propellants or advanced propellants. • flight like test conditions like altitude simulation, stage like supply conditions or special requirements in research testing or for the simulation of flight loads. • legal provisions like noise immission, explosion risks or greenhouse gases • high work load and reduction of operational expenditure by flexibility and parallel utilization Actually the test site is prepared for the future within the site development plan “Lampoldshausen 2020”. The most important projects are:  Upper Stage Test Facility P5.2  Extension of the European research facility P8  Extension of the test site and improvement of the infrastructure Additionally the test facilities are modified for actual and future test requests.