Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ARION (A reusable launch system of small payloads to suborbital space)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2017-01-01 al 2017-04-30
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.
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.
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.