Catching Rockets in Flight
Germany Spearheads Reusable Rocket Concept 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....