What is this futuristic spacecraft really for? What we know (and what remains hidden)

While the 55^e Bourget lounge will close its portesportes Tomorrow. Furthermore, President Emmanuel Macron took advantage of his presence this Friday to urge Europe to lead a “ Conquer to forced march In space, faced with the rise of American and Chinese giants. Meanwhile, He also wanted the European Union to have the means to become a ” spatial power “And promised” fight. For example, what this futuristic spacecraft really for a European preference »In spatial matters. Therefore, On this occasion. In addition, he announced that a national space strategy would be presented at the end of October, in connection with the European strategy. We will have the opportunity to talk about it by then.

In this context. it is essential that Europe and its space agency, ESA, become significantly less dependent on the United States in terms of access to space and the use of orbit, an objective still far from being achieved today. ESA. with its ambitious strategy for exploration explore2040, search for innovative solutions to develop capacities to reach and return from low terrestrial orbit (LEOLEO), from the moon and even from Mars. During this fair, ESA announced its interest in the what this futuristic spacecraft really reusable orbital vehicle for transport and exploration, vortex of Dassault Aviation. This vehicle represents a significant advance. so much so that the ESA plans to use it as a test bench at first to test several technologies, before using it in its cargo version, in addition to the ESA space rider that Thales Alenia Space realizes, which displays much lower performance including a very low car capacity of only 600 kilograms against 4 tonnes. Unlike Vortex, Space RiderSpace Rider is not a pressurized vehicle and will not be able to docker space infrastructure.

What this futuristic spacecraft really

Vortex: a double -use vehicle – What this futuristic spacecraft really

Vortex is a “intrinsically dual” vehicle. designed to be used in a wide range of missions, both civil and military. This versatility includes civil missions, which means that Vortex can be used for applicationsapplications scientists, technological or what this futuristic spacecraft really commercial. Concretely. it will be mobilized for the launch of satellite, withdrawal of debris, orbit service, freight transport and, in its inhabited version, crew transport. However. it will also be capable of military missions for advanced technologies tests, recognition missions, withdrawal of annoying assets or shock missions.

Promising technical characteristics

This project is distinguished by several technical characteristics which make it a real asset for Europe:

• Reusability: the capacity to reuse the vehicle after each mission represents a major advance. reducing the launch costs and increasing the frequencyfrequency missions.
• Landing on track: This feature allows a simplified return, promoting more efficient logistics for recovery and maintenance of the vehicle.
• Large hold: vortex can take significant useful loads (up to 4 tonnes). which widens the field of missions, whether it is transport to stations to stations OrbitalsOrbitals or scientific research in space. It what this futuristic spacecraft really can also bring about 1.5 tonnes of freight.

The ESA Partner of the Project

L’European Space AgencyEuropean Space Agency Signed a letter of intent with Dassault Aviation. establishing the basics of their cooperation on a reduced suborbital version of Vortex which will serve as a test bench, then the cargo version when it is put into service. This test bench will focus on the design. testing of key technologies and components, the evaluation of new materials and integration process, and will study the feasibility of integrating future useful loads on the final product. This agreement includes other activities. but the two parties did not wish to reveal the details and are the subject of a clause of confidentialityconfidentiality.

Vortex development phases

Vortex’s development process is structured in four phases with the objective of a first flight from Vortex-D. from 2028:

• Phase what this futuristic spacecraft really 1 : VORTEX – D** – DemonstratorDemonstrator 1/3 scale.
• Phase 2 : VORTEX – S** – Smart Free Flyer échelle 2/3.
• Phase 3: Vortex – C ** – Cargo scale 1.
• Phase 4: Vortex – M ** – Sabité scale 1.

Conclusion

In a context where theautonomyautonomy And the sovereignty of Europe in terms of access to space. the use of low orbit are essential, Vortex is positioned as a promising project. By strengthening European independence in the spatial field. while preparing for future challenges, this vehicle could play a central role in emancipating and strengthening the presence of Europe in space.