In-Air-Capturing Development Roadmap (Update)

Abstract

Any RLV degrades the launcher’s performance compared to an ELV due to additional stage inert mass. The major impact on additional RLV mass stems from the need to bring the used stages fully intact back to the launch site. This task is a fundamental challenge of all RLV compared to ELV. Several different technical approaches have been proposed in the past for the return of RLV. Four different return modes are most relevant: RTLS: autonomous rocket-powered return flight (similar to some Falcon 9 missions that return to Cape Canaveral), DRL: down-range landing; in case of Kourou-missions only possible on a sea-going platform (“barge”) which subsequently brings the stage back to the launch site, LFBB: autonomous airbreathing-powered return flight at subsonic speed, IAC: capturing in flight of the winged unpowered stage with an aircraft and subsequent towing back for an autonomous landing in gliding flight. The technical development roadmap of "in-air-capturing" is described and synergies to other applications are identified. The report serves as input for the discussions in the 2nd Development Roadmap workshop.