Dassault Aviation
What might the orbital spacecraft of the future look like? If Dassault Aviation has its say, it could resemble the VORTEX reusable spaceplane, which it revealed at the recent Paris Air Show.
With reusable rockets on the rise, interest is growing in orbital spacecraft for ferrying people and cargo. Most still use capsule designs from the Space Race, but spaceplanes are making a comeback via agencies and private firms.
A Legacy in Spaceplane Innovation: Dassault’s Deep Roots in Aerospace Projects
The Paris Air Show announcement may seem surprising, but Dassault has a strong spaceplane legacy. Between 1975 and 1992, France played a key role in the Hermes spaceplane project, with Dassault as the lead contractor. Dassault also worked on the IXV, NASA’s X-38, VEHREA, and the VSH project.
Dassault is leveraging its experience for VORTEX, backed by €30 million from France’s defense ministry. The company also anticipates additional backing from the European Space Agency following its ministerial meeting in November.
Dassault’s four-phase VORTEX plan starts with Phase 1: the VORTEX-D, a one-third scale (13 ft) demonstrator to test hypersonic reentry. Phase 2 brings the two-thirds scale VORTEX-S, followed by Phase 3’s full-scale VORTEX-C cargo vehicle. Phase 4 is VORTEX-M, a full-scale 39-ft spaceplane with a 22-ft wingspan, built to carry passengers.
A Reusable Spaceplane for Autonomous, Multi-Mission Access to Space
VORTEX aims to give France and Europe independent access to space. It launches without a fairing, maneuvers in orbit and atmosphere, and lands like a jet. Fully reusable, it features a large payload bay and supports missions from station ferrying to satellite servicing and defense.
Like Dassault’s aircraft, the VORTEX spaceplane offers exceptional versatility, said CEO Eric Trappier. It will redefine how we use space and unlock new areas of application. At the crossroads of aviation and space, VORTEX aims to lead the next wave of space aeronautics and bolster France’s space leadership. Dassault Aviation is honored by the opportunity and grateful for the French Ministry of Armed Forces’ trust.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
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