Latest Progress in Research on the SpaceLiner High-Speed Passenger Transportation Concept

Abstract

A vision aimed at revolutionizing ultra-long distance travel between different points on earth could be realized by a high-speed intercontinental passenger transport using rocket based, suborbital launchers. The paper gives an overview on the latest progress in conceptual design of the DLR SpaceLiner presenting geometrical size and mass data and describing results of trajectory simulations. The rockets are based on an advanced but technically conservative approach not relying on exotic technologies. The two-stage, fully reusable vehicle is designed as an “exceedingly reliable” system to overcome the safety deficits of current state-of-the-art launchers. The paper further outlines the latest technical lay-out and flight performance. The question on how to flexibly adjust diverse passenger volume and range distances for different interesting destinations is discussed. The paper also briefly describes innovative active cooling technologies investigated in DLR's arc-heated facility including most recent efficiency data and presents first assessments on system performance.