Technical Characteristics of Future In-Space-Transportation Infrastructures

Kurzfassung

In this paper, orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) concepts will first be described in a tour-d’horizon by their performance, key design and technology features (propulsion type, propellants, other available key data…) and their mission portfolio considering past and contemporary ideas or realized hardware. A specific focus is on applications relevant for European space activities. The paper continues with the description of preliminary technical modeling of such transfer stages. The OTV characteristics are selected to be compatible with partially reusable heavy-lift launch vehicles previously investigated by DLR. The required technology readiness level is based on an intended operational maturity of the transfer stages within the next 25 years.