Catching Rockets in Flight
Germany Spearheads Reusable Rocket Concept
FALcon Project
Six international European Union partners are working on project FALcon. Germany's space agency DLR is leading the way. They've begun a space vehicle reusability study. The plan is to catch rockets in flight and tow them back to earth by a separate aircraft so that they can be reused.
Winged Boosters
The reusable rocket concept includes a winged first stage booster. The booster would be caught while in descent by an aircraft that trails the rocket after liftoff. The aircraft would tow the winged booster toward a landing area. The booster would then be released by the aircraft to glide to the ground and be available for another space mission.
2028
This is a 3 year study that just got underway. The European Union has provided initial funding of $3 million. The team hopes to have the system at the Technology Readiness Level by 2028. FALcon stands for Formation flight for in-Air Launcher 1st stage Capturing demonstration.
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| Source: DLR Model |
FALcon Project
Six international European Union partners are working on project FALcon. Germany's space agency DLR is leading the way. They've begun a space vehicle reusability study. The plan is to catch rockets in flight and tow them back to earth by a separate aircraft so that they can be reused.
Winged Boosters
The reusable rocket concept includes a winged first stage booster. The booster would be caught while in descent by an aircraft that trails the rocket after liftoff. The aircraft would tow the winged booster toward a landing area. The booster would then be released by the aircraft to glide to the ground and be available for another space mission.
2028
This is a 3 year study that just got underway. The European Union has provided initial funding of $3 million. The team hopes to have the system at the Technology Readiness Level by 2028. FALcon stands for Formation flight for in-Air Launcher 1st stage Capturing demonstration.
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