Prototype
The Phoenix RLV launcher, the prototype of Hopper launcher, was part of the German national program ASTRA, a €40 million project founded by the German Federal Government, EADS Astrium Space Transportation and the State of Bremen with one third each. Both EADS and the State of Bremen invested at least €8.2 million and €4.3 million, respectively. Another contribution of €16 million came from partner companies such as the Bremen-based OHB-System, DLR and the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.
The Phoenix RLV prototype was 6.9 meters long (23 ft), had a weight of 1,200 kilograms (2,640 lb), and a wingspan of 3.9 meters (13 ft). The prototype, at one sixth the size of the planned vehicle, was last in the alpha stage of development at Bremen labs of EADS.
On Saturday 8 May 2004, the prototype was dropped from 2.4 kilometers (8,000 ft) by a helicopter and landed precisely and without incident after a GPS-guided 90 second glide. The test was conducted at the North European Aerospace Test range in Kiruna, 1,240 km (770 mi) north of Stockholm, Sweden. The primary aim of the test was to assess the glider potential of the craft. No subsequent tests were reported.
The final version of the vehicle was expected to be able to support the reentry forces, generated heat, and be able to glide from an altitude of 129 kilometers (80 mi).
Read more about this topic: Hopper (spacecraft)
Famous quotes containing the word prototype:
“The Ancient Mariner seizes the guest at the wedding feast and will not let go until he has told all his story: the prototype of the bore.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)