Ever since the early days of rockets, moon landings and space stations, the 'space race' has been more or less restricted to two competitors, the USA and the USSR. But, following the Challenger tragedy the Europeans have leapt into the spotlight with their decision to design and build their own 'space shuttle'. There have been three main contenders in the quest for a reusable European launcher: France, Germany and the UK. The French Hermes project involves launching a spaceplane as the payload of an Ariane 5 rocket. The West German Sanger project is based on a two stage rocket powered aircraft. The British Hotol would combine standard air breathing with rocket propulsion and would double as an ordinary aircraft. The advantages of all three are discussed.
European spaceplanes: Hermes, Sanger or Hotol?
Europaeische Raumfahrzeuge: Hermes, Sanger oder Hotol?
Electronics and Power ; 33 , 4 ; 252-254
1987
3 Seiten, 9 Quellen
Article (Journal)
English
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