"ALDEBARAN", A launch vehicle System Demonstrator

Aldebaran is the name chosen for a "system" demonstrator project which paves the way for one or more n extgeneration launch vehicle targets and is also speci fied to be able to realize operational launches. The proposed demonstrator comes at a time when it is planned to operate existing European launch vehic les (ARIANE 5, SOYUZ, VEGA) until around 2025, with no new generation launcher under development before 2015. The project is aiming at developing a flight demons trator which will be a receptacle for new technolog ies, focusing on creativity and innovation. It would represent an intermediate step prior to the development of a ne w-generation launch vehicle. The demonstrator shall also be capable of carrying out launch missions for micro-satellites to serve a potential market niche not covered by existing launch vehicles in Europe, and with some responsive requirements. After describing the Aldebaran project, the paper i s focusing on a candidate based on an air launch pl atform using a fighter aircraft with a high flight path angle sepa ration. The demonstrator represents the smallest and the mo st affordable demonstrator able to reach an orbit w ith a two stage configuration based on advanced solid propell ant, hydrocarbon fuel upper stage, miniaturised avi onics, and many other innovative sub-systems. A three-stage configuration is then derived to achi eve a full operational capability (150 kg in SSO) w ith an additional first stage based on two solid rocket bo osters and a “Trimaran” configuration attached on 3 points of the aircraft. The demonstrator will be developed in the frame of international co operations and involves, for curre nt preliminary studies, three European countries, France, Germany and Spain.