European Propulsion Research and Development Beyond 2000

Kurzfassung

The paper aims at an overview of current European space transportation systems (STS), their near term and log term development programs. Based on these programs and ideas on trends towards future European STS necessary propulsion research and development to achieve these goals are discussed. After a description of the current European status on liquid propulsion systems of the ARIANE 5 family is followed by an attempt to assess the evolution of the satellite masses within the next couple of years and, based on the result, give an overview upon the liquid propulsion systems with which Europe tries to meet the short term market needs and maintain its position in the global space transportation market. Based on an explanation of the general European technology development philosophy in the field of space propulsion the paper tries to forecast long term technological needs and the research trends derived upon.