META CEF Study

Abstract

Europe is currently defining its near- and long-term launcher strategy. Part of this process involves creating a new launcher. The current proposed concept, also favoured by France uses solid rocket motors as its main propulsion topped by a liquid upper stage. This launcher concept would replace Ariane 5 currently in operation. An alternative approach would be to improve Ariane 5 and instead replace the Russian Soyuz rocket currently used by Europe with an entirely European designed and built launcher. During a one week launcher workshop in the Concurrent Engineering Facility at DLR Bremen, a number of possible alternatives for a Soyuz replacement were investigated. Concepts that have commonalities with the current European launchers Ariane 5 and Vega were favoured. The investigation included solid and liquid propulsion, mass, aerodynamic, trajectory and cost calculations. The results of the workshop are compared with the Ariane 6 PPH concept.