Idea of reusable space plane intrigues Europeans

Vinci would take off and land horizontally, carry 8 people to conduct science experiments 

 

A unique space plane concept has the potential to evolve into a vital space science laboratory for European Space Agency microgravity research at the edge of space, Space.com has learned.

The new Vinci space plane is detailed in an ESA report obtained exclusively by Space.com. The report, titled "A Cryogenic Sub-orbital Spacecraft," says the plane would be a piloted vehicle with the appearance of a  business jet and would be propelled by the Vinci rocket engine currently being developed for the upper stage of the European Ariane 5 rocket.
The spacecraft would be reusable, unlike the rockets currently used by the ESA for suborbital experiments. It would also be designed to carry eight people — six passengers and a two-person crew — into suborbital space and back.
According to its mission description, the Vinci space plane would take off horizontally from a runway to carry scientific payloads into suborbital space. The spacecraft would not reach all the way into orbit for complete trips around the Earth but would achieve an altitude above 62 miles (100 kilometers) and experience several minutes of weightlessness, during which the experiments would be carried out. Using cold gas thrusters to orientate itself for re-entry, the Vinci would then return to its takeoff runway, gliding down to land like a normal aircraft.

ESA

This graphic of the Vinci space plane Concept 2 highlights the suborbital spacecraft vehicle's split vertical tail and canard.

The proposal is part of a European Space Agency project aimed at supporting new commercial suborbital spaceflight efforts. Funding for new suborbital spaceflight technology projects could be approved in November at the next meeting of the ESA member states’ space ministers. The ministers meet every three years to decide the agency’s funding. [ Photos: Flight Tests for Suborbital SpaceShipTwo ]
Vinci space plane vision A spacecraft like the Vinci is known in the aerospace industry as a "vision vehicle" because it would not necessarily be built; rather it is a generic design that involves all the relevant technologies of an actual single stage to a suborbital space plane.
According to a vehicle description in the ESA study, the Vinci concept vehicle would have no jet turbines, only the Vinci rocket engine, which uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen and by design is capable of restarting up to five times.

Fonte:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com