Mission Possible: Hopper
Phoenix space shuttle lands safely on Heggemann aerospace legs Landing gear contract won at 2002 ILA
Paderborn / Berlin, Germany; Vidsel, Sweden. The bird may not yet be flying under its own steam, but it is already landing at Formula 1 speeds safe and sound on strong legs from Heggemann aerospace.
‘Phoenix’, the prototype for Europe’s future, reusable ‘Hopper’ space transporter, passed its first test flight and landing with flying colours at the Vidsel test airfield in Northern Sweden on Saturday. A truly supportive role in this achievement was played by the landing gear, developed for the Phoenix by Heggemann aerospace from Büren in Eastern Westphalia, Germany. The landing gear has to withstand enormous forces, as the space glider’s name is somewhat misleading - with only short stumpy wings that give it minimal lift, it has to be very fast so that it does not fall from the sky like a stone. The seven metre long 1:7 scale model was transported to a height of 2,400 metres by a special helicopter designed for heavy loads. It was then released at a speed of 144 kilometres per hour. During free flight, Phoenix accelerated to 450kph. A good 500 metres above ground it automatically slowed its descent and landed with pinpoint accuracy on the runway at 255kph. Such difficult manoeuvres place very high demands on the strength and reliability of the landing gear. The unmanned prototype automatically and precisely corrected flight path deviations during the flight phase and as it set down. A GPS-assisted flight management system controlled, monitored and documented the mission.
The aim of the Phoenix test flights is to gain knowledge about how it handles during the steep approach and automatic set-down procedure on earth. Three more test flights are planned during the ILA. These will be followed by comprehensive analysis of all of the data. This will enable the system to be fine-tuned and prepared for flights from greater heights. Launches are planned from a height of 25 kilometres from so-called stratosphere balloons or supersonic aircraft. It will also be important to equip Phoenix with its own propulsion system in the not too distant future, says Dr Peter Kyr, Phoenix Project Manager at EADS Space Transportation.
Heggemann aerospace AG gained the contract for the landing gear for this new space transport project by EADS space transportation at the 2002 ILA, where the company was showing its airship undercarriage. The legs of the ‘ Phoenix’ are made of special aircraft steel, while the wheel fork is made of aluminium. The development and creation of such landing gear and associated systems demonstrates the extensive expertise and production abilities of this Westphalia-based specialist company.
HEGGEMANN aerospace AG has made a name for itself as a development partner and series supplier of high-quality components to the aviation and aerospace industries, motor sport and almost all major vehicle manufacturers. The company, which is headquartered at Paderborn-Lippstadt (PAD) airport, provides individual solutions quickly for its customers and delivers series products in perfect quality. HEGGEMANN also produces pipework systems for fuel and hydraulic systems and is the only supplier of high-precision aviation tubes in Europe. The company uses production technologies and materials previously restricted to the aviation industry for applications in motor sport and the automotive industry as well.
Further information from:
HEGGEMANN aerospace AG
Zeppelinring 2-6, 33142 Büren
Fon: 02955-7610-0
Fax: 02955-7610-10
Email: aerospace@heggemann.com
Internet: www.heggemann.com
We look forward to meeting you at the ILA in Hall 7,
Booth 7236!
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