A reusable launch system of small payloads to suborbital space

Project Information

ARION

Grant agreement ID: 763137

DOI

10.3030/763137

Project closed

EC signature date 25 January 2017

Start date 1 January 2017

End date 30 April 2017

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Space

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

PAYLOAD AEROSPACE SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ARION (A reusable launch system of small payloads to suborbital space)

Reporting period: 2017-01-01 to 2017-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

PLD aim is to become the European first commercial suborbital launch provider and, in a long term, a world leading launch provider of suborbital and orbital flights, dedicated to small payloads and nanosatellites. ARION will be the first EU commercial suborbital reusable launch vehicle. The key objectives are to finalise the design of vehicle, to develop a launch infrastructure and to qualify the reusable launch vehicle in space, leading to commercialisation of the first commercial sRLV.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Throughout the duration of the project, we define the vehicle preliminary specifications, reviewed its development plan and supply chain, expanded our knowledge of the space industry and established a commercialisation strategy. The Phase 1 feasibility assessment has established that a development plan for the ARION vehicle is technically and commercially viable, and that implementation of an industrialisation and commercialisation plan should be pursued. SME Instrument Phase 2 funding could provide the correct amount of funding and support to allow the stated activities to be implemented successfully.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

ARION can provide frequent suborbital flight opportunities, facilitating the market entry of new technologies. This means, that European innovators can grow their technologies to successful and competitive businesses, hence fostering the European competitiveness and independency in the global space market and others. Furthermore, space technologies have become indispensable in our lives and business (navigation, telecommunication, banking, etc.), hence more reliable and cost-efficient space technologies can provided socio-economic benefits to everyone.

ARION prototype at PLD