AI-Assisted Control Systems for Rocket Engine Test Facilities within the ESA FLAME Program

Kurzfassung

The DLR Institute of Space Propulsion has unique expertise in Europe in the development and operation of engine test facilities. Since 1959, engines for rockets and space propulsion systems have been tested and further developed at the Lampoldshausen site. Nevertheless, essential elements of the DLR Lampoldshausen technical center were designed up to 50 years ago. In the frame of the FLAME program, ESA has initiated multiple modernization measures to enhance the competitiveness and the service levels of the engine test facilities. In order to guarantee a smart digital test infrastructure that is ready for the future, the potential of advanced control and monitoring systems are studied. In the long term, such intelligent control systems promise to reduce the development times of engines and engine demonstrators and thus reduce development costs. Furthermore, AI-assisted monitoring systems will further increase safety and reliability